Daughters of the Renaissance: Cross-dressing Damsels in Shakespeares Works

Abstract

This paper delves into the subtle meanings and underlying motives of female disguise during the male-dominated Renaissance
period in the works of William Shakespeare. This analysis will examine some astonishing cross-dressing female characters in Shakespeares
plays, revealing the motivations behind using this dramatic technique and its potential impact on the societal norms of the time. Additionally,
the paper notes that under the reign of Elizabeth I, womens political and educational rights slightly diverged from the earlier highly patriarchal society, influencing Shakespeares value orientation in portraying female characters. This analysis will focus on three of Shakespeares
representative works: The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It. By examining the female protagonists who disguise themselves as men in these works, the paper argues why Shakespeares cross-dressed heroines are acclaimed by modern scholars as the
daughters of the Renaissance.