Women in Shakespearian Plays

During the time that Shakespeare wrote his plays, men performed both male and female characters. However, approximately in 1599, the Chamberlain’s men had several young talented boy actors. This allowed Shakespeare to write more complex and demanding female roles. A comparison between the women of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and 12th Night may help us understand better this hypothesis.

These women are very different from each other, although what they wish to obtain approximately similar things. In both plays, several women wish to acquire and secure the love of the person, whom they love, which is common for many characters in plays, not simply in Shakespearian plays. In the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, both Helena and Hermia are the female characters in this play, who are desperately trying to get the attention of the man that they love. Though, it happens at different time.

The way that both women try to get the attention from the man they love in an almost girlish and childish way. The first event involves Helena. It is when Helena is told of Hermia and Lysander’s plan and chooses to tell Demetrius about it, in order to get him closer and follow him, in Act 1, scene 1. The way she talking about trapping him seems to be the type of thing that we might do as youths.

A second event involves more Hermia than Helena. This happens just after Puck mistakenly puts the juice on Lysander and Demetrius’s eyes and these two men have fallen for Helena, in Act Three, Scene Two. Hermia becomes confused when Lysander is pushing her away. After trying to talk to Lysander and try to reason with him, the only defense that she can think of is attacking Helena. Some of the things that are said, not simply by Hermia, but all four of them, are very childish. “Dwarf,” “juggler,” and “cankerblossom” are a few examples of what they call each other.

In 12th Night, the female characters choose an extremely different way to get the attention of the one they love. There are two ways that this seems to be done, in this mature play. First, there is Viola, who is in love with Orsino. Viola chooses not to say anything, for more than one reason. She doesn’t say anything, because she believes Orsino is in love with Olivia, and because he thinks that Viola is a man. It is true she could always reveal herself, but it wouldn’t help her or serve her purpose, in any positive way. Instead of saying anything about her love for him, Viola simply keeps it to herself and decides that it is perhaps best that way. She then continues to help Orsino in courting Olivia.

Then, there is Olivia, who is also trying to get the attention of the one she loves. Unlike Viola, she does try to suggest this fact, but in a very subtle way. The only problem is that she loves Cesario, who is really Viola. An example of suggesting her love is by sending Cesario the ring, which he is supposed to have left behind. However, he/she says that it’s not his and picks up on the clue. Cesario/Viola realizes that Olivia loves him/her.

This shows a much clever side to the later female characters, within Shakespearian plays. Olivia and Viola are a lot more clever and logical. Hermia and Helena, on the other hand, are more childish. Perhaps the female characters evolved and became more mature as Shakespeare’s career as a playwright became more mature.

There is that sense that they know how to deal with certain, if not all, aspects in their lives, with the female characters in 12th Night more than in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This idea may also be assumed with the way Hermia, Helena, Viola, and Olivia try to confess their love and/or get the attention of the man these women love. One may think that perhaps Shakespeare had in mind that Hermia and Helena were more like female teenagers, and Viola and Olivia were more adults-like women.

Then, there is the choice of words and actions; the words and actions that Shakespeare chooses to give them. This aspect goes almost hand in hand with their decision and intelligence. These aspects of their character affect their choice of words. In Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hermia and Helena don’t seem to think too much about they are saying. They simply say it without really thinking about the consequences, or it would seem and appear to be the case.

For instance, when Helena is plotting to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans and to then follow him, there is that sense that she is primarily thinking of what she wants and not of what Demetrius, Hermia, and Lysander may feel or how they may be affected by this action. She only seems to want the attention, and perhaps even the love of Demetrius. As opposed to thinking of anoter option, she simply goes for this idea, this girlish idea, almost.

This aspect in 12th Night is a different matter. The women in this play seem to think a lot more about what they say and about their choice of words and actions. A good example is when Viola is with Olivia, in Act Three, Scene One. This scene is just after Viola receives the ring from Olivia, which is supposed to be hers. Olivia is subtly talking about her love. Viola is trying to say that she can’t love her, in a way that won’t hurt Olivia. There is a sense in this scene that she chooses her words very carefully and she takes the time to think about what she is about to say. Viola really doesn’t want to offend or hurt Olivia, in anyway.

In this situation, Olivia is trying to get Cesario to love her, but she isn’t trying to push him as much as Helena is, when she is following Demetrius. Olivia is in between these two women, but her actions and intentions seem to be closer to Viola’s actions and intensions. There is more complexity in Viola and Olivia’s purpose than for Helena and Hermia. There seems to be more actions with a specific intension and purpose with Viola and Olivia. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hermia and Helena want to be with the man that they love. This is want their purpose is, throughout the play. It is simple and clear, to the audience.

However, in 12th Night, Olivia and Viola have more than one purpose. There is more than one thing that they are trying to achieve. Trying to get the love from the one, whom they love, is only one of their purpose, one of the things they are trying to achieve. But whatever they are trying to achieve, there is some complexity in it. It isn’t always plain and clear. There is always something more behind their actions and what they say. This aspect seems engage the audience more.

There seems to be an immense gap between the characteristics of these four Shakespearian female characters. When one looks closely enough, one may realize that there appears to be a gap between the women in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the women in 12th Night. It would make sense that this may be due to the talented boy actors, associated to the Chamberlain’s Men.

However, what may also explain this aspect is that Shakespeare was now only writing for the Chamberlain’s Men and knew well enough the actors, who were associated to this company. We might never discover the exact reason for this aspect. In the mean time, we can keep enjoying a good performance of his plays.