All three women in the play (Portia, Nerissa and Jessica) disguise themselves as men for specific reasons. What does each of their disguises accomplish? Could they have chosen another female disguise to reach their goals, or not?
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Answer:
Portia played the role of a male lawyer to help her husband Bassanio with the issue related to Antonio regarding the money dealings with Shylock. Portia considers the close ones of Bassanio as her own. So, she goes on to help Antonio along with her maid Nerissa for assistance to save Antonio’s life from Shylock.
During the Elizabethan times, women were not given much freedom, the society didn’t like women to work like a man or be strong like them or even get educated ,women who are from wealthy and rich families were educated, the society wanted woman to be nurturers, homemakers and caretakers of the family they were put in a lower position while men were put on a pedestal with regards to education, attending social events and gatherings because of social norms.
That’s the core reason why the women like Portia, Nerissa and Jessica disguised themselves as men. More specifically Portia doesn’t want to show herself off to the public especially to Bassanio as she is not a legal lawyer including Nerissa disguised as the lawyer’s assistant.
As for Jessica, she doesn’t want her father Shylock to notice her in disguise because disguise as another women is quite complicated as her father would easily spot her or even have issues in the masquerade as she was chosen as the torch bearer by her beloved Lorenzo.
Shakespeare added such an element to play to amuse the audience as it is against the social norms and adds a sense of taboo and suspense , this shows his respect and honor for women during those times expressing that women are indeed powerful and clever