Essay On Gender Role Reversal In Twelfth Night

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In every society there are prescribed gender roles and corresponding expectations for both men and women. Men are expected to be aggressive, physically robust and forward while women are expected to be passive, physically weaker than men and reserved. If and when this happens, it can result in confusion and possible negative consequences. This notion is often explored in literature, and one such writer who does so is William Shakespeare. In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Viola, Duke Orsino and Maria seem to demonstrate gender role reversal for the majority of the play, but they eventually revert back to their prescribed roles, which is in keeping with the Carnival theme.

The first character who highlights the theme of gender role reversal is
She says this to the captain: "Conceal me what I am, and be my aid/ as haply shall become/The form of my intent. I 'll serve this duke/ Thou shalt present me as an eunuch to him" (1.2.55-58) Viola behaves in a more masculine manner since she is aggressive and assertive as opposed to passive and indecisive; she thinks of the plan to disguise herself and boldly decides to carry it out without having any doubts or reservations. A Renaissance woman would typically be less bold and assertive in a situation like this; she would most likely play the role of a damsel in distress. Throughout the majority of the play, Viola behaves in this manner, demonstrating her tendency toward a more masculine role. However, toward the end of the play, Viola 's masculine tendencies begin to wear off, and her feminine attributes resurface. When Duke Orsino confronts Olivia about her rejection of his love, he
She represents this theme because she acts in more of a masculine manner when dealing with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. She even comes up with a plan to make a fool of Malvolio: "I will drop in his way some obscure epistles of love" (2.3.137). Sir Toby and Sir Andrew think that she has thought of a brilliant plan and agree to go along with it which means that Maria put herself in charge and is the mastermind of the plan. Since Sir Toby and Sir Andrew let her be in charge and take control of the situation, this demonstrates how Maria is behaving in a more masculine way. It was common for the males to be in charge in the Shakespearean time but Maria has disregarded this stereotypical roles and took charge. However, when the plan of making Malvolio look like a fool is complete and over with, Maria reverts back to her prescribed feminine gender role. In the play it says: "Maria writ/ The letter at Sir Toby 's great importance/ In recompense where of he hath married her." (5.1.350-352). Maria ends up getting married to Sir Toby in reward of her master plan which shows how feminine she really is because she wants to get married. Sir Toby feels the need to give Maria the reward of his marriage because of how brilliant the plan was and it is assumed that Maria accepts his reward with no question. Although Maria 's gender role was reversed in the beginning of the play, she reverts back to her prescribed gender

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