Women in Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing and Taming of the Shrew E

During the early new-made menses, despite queen regnant Elizabeths proponentful rule in the mid-sixteenth century, women in England had very some social, economic, and legal rights. According to the British system of coverture, a married domain and wife became one person under the law, thus, all the legal rights and responsibilities a woman had when she was single transferred to her husband upon marriage (McBride-Stetson 189). Additionally, once married, the entirety of a womans property and wages came under the husbands control thus, in essence, women became the responsibility and property of their husbands (McBride-Stetson 189). Shakespeare, through his writings, illustrates the early modern periods obsession with maintaining the legal subordination of women through marriage. Shakespeares leading lady in The Taming of the Shrew severely contrasts her obedient and overmodest sister and, in doing so, transcends the gender roles appropriated to her and, thus, must be tamed. In contrast, much(prenominal) Ado About Nothings Hero plays the role of the warning early modern woman until the nature of her chastity comes into move. Despite the primaeval differences between the characters of these two women, the financial and object-based language used to describe women as advantageously as the institution of marriage in The Taming of the Shrew and much(prenominal) Ado About Nothing attest the early modern periods view of women as pieces of property. The play introduces Petruccio as Katherines potential drop suitor before Petruccio, in fact, meets Katherine however, Petruccio asserts, I have thrust myself into this inner ear/ Happily to wive and thrive as I may (1.2.52-53). Interestingly, Petruccio lists wiving as his first goal, followed by thriving. In a sense, the ... ...r to that of property and subject to mannish control. Clearly, the study of these plays serve as prime examples in demonstrating the effect of British common law during the ear ly modern period as well as depicting the societys anxieties in regards to maintaining the ultimate upper-hand in regards to womens rights, or, lack thereof. Although Hero is, for the most part, painted as a virtuous character throughout Much Ado About Nothing, the question of her virtue is not only known to be a false-accusation to the audience, unless her chastity is quickly restored at the end of the play. Likewise, Petruccio is able to remedy Katherines shrewish behavior into that of a young lady. Clearly, the plots of these plays as well as the repeated associations between women and ones property overtly demonstrate a societal desire to maintain a sense of power and domination over women.