2 Shakespearean characters famous for cross-dressing

Have you read Shakespeare’s most common plays, then you must be aware about the concept of cross-dressing. You will notice how this famous playwright used it as a key element in his plays, especially comedies. However, for those of you who still find the idea ambiguous, here’s what cross-dressing actually means. It refers to wearing an attire which society considers appropriate for the opposite sex, rather than the wearer’s sex. This technique has been used time and again by the literary genius to progress the plots of his dramas.  

But why cross-dress?  
Before we go into discussing some of the leading cross-dressers from Shakespeare’s literary milestones, it is important to mention that Shakespeare’s sole intention of introducing cross-dressing among his female characters was to give them more freedom in an otherwise restrictive society. In fact, all his cross-dressed women protagonists could move and talk freely without being judged. They could use their wit and intelligence to face challenges without being forced to resort to help from men, and take control of their own lives as well as those around them.  

Characters who cross-dressed 
Shakespeare believed that women dressed as men, were more likely to be taken seriously than their original female avatars. So, many of his female characters have been seen dressing up as men. Here, we take a look at two most famous cross-dressers of Shakespearean plays.  

Rosalind 
Play: As You Like It (1623) 
Shakespeare, in his romantic comedy As You Like It uses the cross-dressing technique to help the female lead Rosalind assume the disguise of Ganymede, a teacher, in the ways of love. Rosalind is a witty, clever and resourceful woman who is in love with a man named Orlando. However, when her father Duke Senior is banished by her uncle Duke Frederick and she ends up losing all her royal connections, she decides to take charge of her romantic life. Therefore, when she comes across Orlando in the Forest of Arden (where she had been hiding with her father), she assumes the disguise of Ganymede and appoints love-struck yet disheartened Orlando as her student, who has no idea that the woman for whom his heart aches is none other than his new friend. In Ganymede’s shoes, Rosalind is not only able to mould Orlando into a suitable lover, but also set other love-lost characters on the right path. Throughout the play, Rosalind’s aim is to spread love and use it to make the world a happier place. 

Portia 
Play: The Merchant of Venice (1605) 
Often regarded as one of the best cross-dressers in Shakespeare’s plays, Portia is,the female protagonist in the socio-political play The Merchant of Venice. She is an impressive woman, who is not only clever, but also beautiful.  However, her talents for the first half of the play remain hidden as she is virtually imprisoned in her dead father’s home, bound by his will. But, as soon as this wealthy heiress is able to direct the man of her choice to her path of freedom, her ingenuity come to the surface.  

To help release her husband’s friend and their benefactor Antonio from the clutches of the cruel moneylender Shylock, she assumes the role of a young male clerk, and takes matters in her own hands. When all the other characters fail to save Antonio in the court of law, it is Portia, dressed as a male advocate, who dares to challenge the villain. In fact, in the climax scene, Portia asks Shylock that as per the bond, Shylock may definitely take a pound of Antonio’s flesh as a penalty, but he should not spill a drop of blood. This still stands as one of the most awe-inspiring scenes from Shakespeare’s plays. In fact, it is because of Portia’s cross-dressing that she was able to use the power and freedom to her advantage, and demonstrate her utmost intelligence and presence of mind.  

So, you see, cross-dressing is not for the weird, as often thought, but more a path to freedom from the clutches of gender discrimination!