Shakespearean Women

July 7, 2024 witcritic 0

Shakespearean Women

Juliet from Romeo and Juliet

Role in the Play: Juliet is the female protagonist and one of the titular characters in Shakespeare’s tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet. She is the daughter of the Capulet family, who are embroiled in a feud with the Montagues. Despite this, she falls deeply in love with Romeo, a Montague. Juliet’s love for Romeo defies the constraints of her family and societal expectations.

Characterization: Juliet is portrayed as a young and passionate character who evolves from innocence to maturity over the course of the play. At the beginning, she is obedient and naive, but her love for Romeo brings out her determination and courage. She is willing to risk everything for her love, showcasing her depth of emotion and strength of character.

Famous Quotes:

“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Act 2, Scene 2)
“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
“My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!” (Act 1, Scene 5)

Lady Macbeth from Macbeth

Role in the Play: Lady Macbeth is the wife of the play’s protagonist, Macbeth. She is one of the most powerful and influential characters in the play, driving Macbeth’s ambition and pushing him to commit regicide. Her role is pivotal in the plot’s progression, particularly in the early acts where she spurs Macbeth into action.

Characterization: Lady Macbeth is ambitious, manipulative, and ruthless. She exhibits a strong will and a desire for power, qualities that lead her to orchestrate King Duncan’s murder. However, as the play progresses, the weight of their crimes takes a toll on her mental state, leading to profound guilt and madness.

Famous Quotes:

“Out, damned spot! out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)
“Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.” (Act 1, Scene 5)
“What’s done cannot be undone.” (Act 5, Scene 1)

Ophelia from Hamlet

Role in the Play: Ophelia is a noblewoman of Denmark and the daughter of Polonius, sister to Laertes, and potential wife of Prince Hamlet. Her relationship with Hamlet and her obedience to her father and brother place her in a difficult position, ultimately leading to her tragic end.

Characterization: Ophelia is characterized by her innocence, obedience, and eventual descent into madness. She is a tragic figure who is manipulated by the men in her life and torn between her love for Hamlet and her loyalty to her family. Her madness and subsequent death underscore the play’s themes of corruption and the impact of political intrigue on personal lives.

Famous Quotes:

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies, that’s for thoughts.” (Act 4, Scene 5)
“O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!” (Act 3, Scene 1)

Desdemona from Othello

Role in the Play: Desdemona is the wife of Othello, the play’s protagonist. She is a central figure in the drama, whose innocence and purity stand in stark contrast to the jealousy and deceit surrounding her. Her marriage to Othello, a Moor, challenges the societal norms of the time.

Characterization: Desdemona is portrayed as virtuous, loyal, and strong-willed. Despite her privileged background, she chooses to marry Othello out of genuine love, showing her independence and commitment. However, her unwavering trust and honesty make her vulnerable to Iago’s machinations, leading to her tragic demise.

Famous Quotes:

“My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty.” (Act 1, Scene 3)
“His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love.” (Act 4, Scene 2)
“Nobody; I myself. Farewell: Commend me to my kind lord: O, farewell!” (Act 5, Scene 2)

Portia from The Merchant of Venice

Role in the Play: Portia is the heroine of The Merchant of Venice. She is a wealthy heiress who is bound by her father’s will to marry whoever can correctly solve the riddle of the three caskets. Portia disguises herself as a young male lawyer to save Antonio, showcasing her intelligence and resourcefulness.

Characterization: Portia is intelligent, witty, and capable. She is not only beautiful but also possesses a sharp mind and a strong sense of justice. Her actions in the court scene demonstrate her legal acumen and her ability to outwit the men around her, making her one of Shakespeare’s most admired female characters.

Famous Quotes:

“The quality of mercy is not strain’d, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” (Act 4, Scene 1)
“So do I too, if it be not too much. Brings me to say my lord and that is my very dear friend Bassanio, and my husband.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
“If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces.” (Act 1, Scene 2)

Rosalind from As You Like It

Role in the Play: Rosalind is the heroine and the central character of As You Like It. She is the daughter of Duke Senior, who has been banished from the court by his brother, Duke Frederick. Disguised as a young man named Ganymede, Rosalind navigates the Forest of Arden, where much of the play’s action takes place.

Characterization: Rosalind is witty, intelligent, and resourceful. Her disguise allows her to explore her identity and express her thoughts more freely, especially about love and relationships. Her cleverness and charm make her one of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters, and her relationship with Orlando forms the play’s romantic core.

Famous Quotes:

“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.” (Act 2, Scene 7)
“Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
“Love is merely a madness.” (Act 3, Scene 2)

Cleopatra from Antony and Cleopatra

Role in the Play: Cleopatra is the Queen of Egypt and the lover of Mark Antony. Her relationship with Antony and their political alliance form the central plot of the play. Cleopatra’s character is pivotal, driving much of the drama and tragedy in the story.

Characterization: Cleopatra is a complex and multifaceted character. She is passionate, charismatic, and fiercely independent. Her love for Antony is deep and genuine, yet she is also manipulative and politically astute. Cleopatra’s grandeur and command over her own fate make her a powerful figure in Shakespearean drama.

Famous Quotes:

“Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me.” (Act 5, Scene 2)
“My salad days, When I was green in judgment, cold in blood.” (Act 1, Scene 5)
“I am fire and air; my other elements I give to baser life.” (Act 5, Scene 2)

Titania from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Role in the Play: Titania is the Queen of the Fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Her quarrel with Oberon, the King of the Fairies, over a changeling boy drives much of the play’s magical and comedic elements. Her enchantment and subsequent infatuation with Bottom create some of the play’s most humorous scenes.

Characterization: Titania is regal, strong-willed, and compassionate. She cares deeply for the changeling boy and stands her ground against Oberon. Despite the enchantment that makes her fall in love with Bottom, Titania’s dignity and grace are evident throughout the play.

Famous Quotes:

“These are the forgeries of jealousy: And never since the middle summer’s spring Met we on hill, in dale, forest, or mead.” (Act 2, Scene 1)
“What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?” (Act 3, Scene 1)
“My Oberon! what visions have I seen! Methought I was enamoured of an ass.” (Act 4, Scene 1)

Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing

Role in the Play: Beatrice is one of the main characters in Much Ado About Nothing. She is the niece of Leonato and the cousin of Hero. Beatrice is known for her sharp wit and verbal sparring with Benedick, with whom she shares a “merry war” of words that ultimately leads to a deeper understanding and love.

Characterization: Beatrice is intelligent, independent, and outspoken. She challenges the traditional roles of women in her society with her sharp tongue and refusal to marry. Her evolution from cynicism about love to acceptance of her feelings for Benedick showcases her depth and complexity.

Famous Quotes:

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
“He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man.” (Act 2, Scene 1)
“I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.” (Act 4, Scene 1)

Cordelia from King Lear

Role in the Play: Cordelia is the youngest daughter of King Lear in King Lear. She is disinherited by Lear for her perceived lack of flattery, despite her genuine love for him. Her honesty and integrity contrast sharply with the deceit and greed of her sisters, Goneril and Regan.

Characterization: Cordelia embodies virtue, loyalty, and honesty. Her refusal to engage in false flattery leads to her banishment, but she remains devoted to her father. Her tragic fate underscores the play’s themes of loyalty, justice, and the complexities of familial relationships.

Famous Quotes:

“Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
“Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
“We are not the first Who, with best meaning, have incurred the worst.” (Act 5, Scene 3)