Compared to other writers of his time, Shakespeare introduces an unusual amount of deep female characters in his comedies. His representation of women, in particular the ways in which his female roles are interpreted and put on stage, have become topics of scientific interest. Especially the young women often show vitality, great intelligence, and a strong sense of personal independence, which marks them as “queen[s] of comedy” (Palmer 72). Therefore, they are often referred to as Shakespeare’s heroines.
In the following, I want to show their importance and point out that each heroine, although they all share character traits, has distinct and unique qualities. In doing so, I will occasionally refer to a secondary literature and involve positions of different critics. Though, my attention will be focussed on the plays treated in this research paper: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, and Twelfth Night. On the basis of these romantic comedies, I will analyse how the young women are presented and subsequently compare them among one another.
In the first part I will look at each heroine individually and introduce their plays. Then I will develop possible similarities between them: Beautiful but unworldly Miranda seems to be totally controlled by her father Prospero, but she shows a strong will in planning a shared future with Ferdinand and she is aware of her superiority to the savage Caliban. Hermia’s father similarly chooses her husband. With magic help, however, she and Helena manage to come together with the right partner. Moreover, Helena reveals that she believes in the transformative power of love (MND I.2, 233-4).
Viola in Twelfth Night is in a way almost the opposite of Rosalind in As You Like It, although both plays deal with a cross-dressed heroine. Whereas Rosalind can tease Orlando, always knowing that he is in love with her and being moreover able to reveal herself to him whenever she wants, Viola feels trapped in her disguise and has to work for the man she is in love with and even woo another woman on his behalf. Beatrice may not disguise herself in order to show her power like Rosalind, but she is nevertheless a strong female character: she marries only after asserting her dislike for the traditionally minor role of women in marriage and courtship in that time.[...]
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Main Part
- A. Young women in their plays
- 1. Miranda
- 2. Rosalind and Celia
- 3. Viola
- 4. Hermia and Helena
- 5. Hero and Beatrice
- B. Shakespeare's heroines - compared and contrasted
- A. Young women in their plays
- III. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the portrayal of young women in Shakespeare's comedies, highlighting their importance and unique qualities. While acknowledging shared characteristics, the analysis will focus on demonstrating the distinct personalities of each heroine. The study will utilize select comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, and Twelfth Night to examine how these young women are presented and subsequently compare their roles.
- The portrayal of strong female characters in Shakespeare's comedies.
- The unique characteristics and individual personalities of Shakespeare's young female leads.
- Comparison and contrast of the heroines across different plays.
- The role of these female characters in driving the plot of each play.
- The exploration of themes of love, power, and societal expectations within the context of the plays.
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by highlighting Shakespeare's unusual representation of deep female characters in his comedies, particularly the vitality, intelligence, and independence of his young women. It positions these heroines as central figures in the comedic genre and introduces the plays to be analyzed: A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, and Twelfth Night. The introduction outlines the paper's methodology, indicating an individual examination of each heroine followed by a comparative analysis, emphasizing the unique qualities of each character while acknowledging shared traits. It briefly touches upon the use of secondary literature to support the analysis.
II. Main Part A. The young women in their plays 1. Miranda: This section focuses on Miranda, the sole female character in Shakespeare's The Tempest. The chapter highlights Miranda's importance to the plot, noting that despite limited dialogue, her presence is crucial for the unfolding events. The analysis discusses Prospero's control over Miranda and how this mirrors his control over his fortunes, emphasizing her role in his plan to regain his dukedom through her marriage to Ferdinand. The chapter further explores Miranda's desirability as a character, highlighting her beauty, intelligence, and the unique circumstances of her upbringing that make her an attractive figure. The attempted rape by Caliban is presented as a significant event within the play's narrative, further emphasizing Miranda's importance.
Keywords
Shakespeare, comedies, young women, heroines, female characters, character analysis, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, love, power, independence, societal expectations, romantic comedies.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Young Women in Shakespearean Comedies
What is the overall focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the portrayal of young women in Shakespeare's comedies, focusing on their individual personalities and importance within the plays. It compares and contrasts these heroines across different works, examining their roles in driving the plot and exploring themes of love, power, and societal expectations.
Which Shakespearean comedies are analyzed in this paper?
The paper focuses on five comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, and Twelfth Night.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the portrayal of strong female characters, the unique characteristics and personalities of Shakespeare's young female leads, a comparative analysis of the heroines, their roles in driving the plot, and an exploration of themes of love, power, and societal expectations within the context of the plays.
How is the analysis structured?
The analysis begins with an introduction setting the context and methodology. The main part individually examines each heroine, focusing on their role within their respective plays. A comparative analysis then follows, highlighting similarities and differences across the characters. The paper concludes with a summary of the findings.
What is the methodology used in the analysis?
The analysis uses a close reading approach, examining the text of each play to understand the portrayal of each heroine. The analysis also draws upon secondary literature to support its interpretations.
Which specific female characters are examined in detail?
The paper examines Miranda (The Tempest), Rosalind and Celia (As You Like It), Viola (Twelfth Night), Hermia and Helena (A Midsummer Night's Dream), and Hero and Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing).
What is a key aspect of the analysis regarding Miranda from *The Tempest*?
The analysis highlights Miranda's crucial role in the plot of *The Tempest*, despite her limited dialogue. It discusses Prospero's control over her and her importance in his plan to regain his dukedom. The attempted rape by Caliban is also highlighted as a significant event emphasizing her importance.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Shakespeare, comedies, young women, heroines, female characters, character analysis, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, love, power, independence, societal expectations, romantic comedies.
What is the overall conclusion of the paper (briefly)?
While a full conclusion is not provided in this preview, the paper aims to demonstrate the significant roles and distinct personalities of Shakespeare's young female characters in his comedies, highlighting their strength, intelligence, and agency despite societal constraints.
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- Theo Tebbe (Autor:in), 2008, Young women in Shakespeare’s comedies, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115681
