Twelfth Night Gender Analysis

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Recommended: The portrayal of women in Shakespeare's plays

Shakespeare considers men and women in a variety of contexts in his plays; while demonstrating how language is key to understanding gender and challenging sexism. While being a man' or `being a woman' cannot be reduced to stereotypes or traditional mannerisms it is difficult to objectively establish what makes one a man or woman outside of their genitalia because awareness about gender is produced and duplicated within a patriarchal social order. In prominent plays such as Twelfth Night, & Venus & Adonis he displays his manipulation of language and its ability to not only perpetuate but establish gender and produce sexism as a social reality.
Sexuality and gender are conspicuous themes in Shakespeare’s plays. Both sexuality and gender are …show more content…

This is exemplified in the opening scene with the Duke of Illyria yearning for the affection of Lady Olivia. He awkwardly fumbles the expression of his emotions in the plays opening lines, he states “If music be the food of love, play on. Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, the appetite may sicken and so die. (1.1.1-3) He attempts to convey his feelings with a comparison to music. He believes that it can remove heartache and like food it can provide the proper nourishment needed. This serves as an indicator of masculine presence. Shakespeare’s male characters appear unfamiliar with not only their emotions, but they lack in self-knowledge. Unlike the female characters who seemingly have a distinct understanding of self-awareness and their …show more content…

Shakespeare’s Venus does not fit society’s traditional charactization of a woman at the time. When illustrating her to the audience he describes her as having soft skin and smooth hands, but then he begins to identify her by terms typically associated with men when interested in pursuing someone of interest. It is clear that Venus' is both beautiful and lovey as she is the Goddess of love however, Shakespeare provides her with what we consider masculine features that portray her as more masculine than Adonis resulting in her appearing more

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