7 Most Coveted Roles For Women in Shakespearean Plays

In 17th century England, an man who was nothing close to a scholar, who knew little Latin and less Greek outstood all his genius contemporaries and went on to become the greatest playwright in History. Shakespeare’s plays are a canon of approximately 39 plays. Shakespeare’s bold move to break conventions and follow a completely new path in the composition of plays is what made his comedies, tragedies and tragicomedies unique and extraordinary. Among the numerous unique characteristics of his plays, an important one is his novel presentation of female characters.

In English drama, as well as in other Western theatre, women are included as subordinate characters. No special consideration is given to them. But, the Bard too special care in giving life to a wide variety of strong female characters in his plays. Shakespeare’s presentation of women in his plays demonstrates his feelings about women as well as their roles in society. The Elizabethan society restricted women in many ways. They existed merely as a shadow under their fathers and husbands. But, Shakespeare showed how women could influence the men around them. His female characters are at points innocent, villainous, heroic and hilarious. They are among literature’s best characters. A handful of them stand out for subverting the patriarchal structures that sought to oppress them.

Here is a list of 7 most coveted roles for women in Shakespeare’s plays:

1. Lady Macbeth, Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s fiercest female characters. She is ambitious and ruthless as the men in her world. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have no children which is a rejection of societal expectations. She amplifies this in her famous monologue in Act 1, scene 5. In the scene, the character calls on the spirits to render her infertile and strip her of the ability to breastfeed. Lady Macbeth becomes the driving force behind Macbeth’s revenge against King Duncan.

2. Cleopatra, Antony and Cleopatra

Cleopatra is one of Shakespeare’s most versatile female characters. She moves within the play as an intelligent and cunning politician, to a seductress, to a lover and to a ferocious warrior. Some characters in the play describe her as a ‘witch’ and ‘serpent’, but this only serves to show her power and influence over all. Antony and Cleopatra are one of the most memorable couples in fiction. Cleopatra commits suicide by making a poisonous snake bite her, instead of surrendering to her enemies.

3. Portia, The Merchant of Venice

Like many of the women Shakespeare portrayed, Portia is frustrated by the limitations of her gender and demonstrates a wit and capability that challenges her male counterparts. She uses her wit to help her lover win her hand in marriage, saves him from the Court dressed up as a male lawyer and ruthlessly plots against the villains. Portia is a strong woman who does things expertly in her own ways. She is one of the liveliest characters from the Bard’s plays, with grace, humour and intelligence.

4. Juliet, Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare’s most iconic play. Though Juliet is just a teenager in the play, her fearlessness is undeniable. In a space of three days, she falls in love with her family’s enemy, marries him, fakes her own death and ultimately kills herself so that she and Romeo can remain together in death. Shakespeare presents her as a young woman who is a commander of her own fate.

5. Viola, Twelfth Night

Viola is a captivating heroine, who is intelligent, brave and quietly thoughtful. When she ends up in a foreign land, Viola decides to dress up as a boy and seek employment from the Duke, refusing to surrender to a life of domestic servitude. Viola is torn between all the unspoken grief in her heart- the plight of her twin brother, her secret love for Orsino and her true identity.

6. Emilia, Othello

Emilia is not the heroine of the play, but she surely is a brave woman. She is quick witted and clever, and thinks ahead of her time. She is famous for her monologue on the equality of sexuality in both men and women. Emilia courageously saves Desdemona by exposing her husband’s sinister plans. Though this puts her own life at risk, she remains brave and truthful till the end.

7. Rosalind, As You Like It

Rosalind is probably Shakespeare’s most strong-willed female characters. After being exiled, Rosalind and her friend Celia disguises as male shepherds and live in the Arcadian forest. She is a very lovable character and one of the most optimistic characters in Shakespeare’s comedies. At the end of the play, Rosalind delivers the Epilogue, which was traditionally a man’s role. Thus, Shakespeare defies system once again.

Above are among literature’s best and most memorable female characters. They play a major role in the unique charm of Shakespearean plays.

Do you have a favourite Shakespeare character?

- Hibathu Naseer