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Twelfth Night Gender Roles

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Gender roles are determined by one’s traits, interests, and interactions within society. In the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare and the movie She’s the Man, gender roles are presented diversely in many male and female characters. Viola’s interests are portrayed differently in both the play and the movie. In the film and the text, Duke Orsino’s attitude is expressed disparately. In Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare and the movie She’s the Man, male and female roles are presented in distinct ways. In the film and the text, women's interests are portrayed dissimilarly. In the film, Viola acts more manly than in the play. When Viola’s mom forces her to attend the beauty pageant, she refuses to participate. This shows Viola’s struggles …show more content…

In the Shakespearean era, women were considered weak and needed the protection of men. They only performed what their roles were considered at the time and both genders had entirely separate roles. Females in the play had assigned tasks, unlike the film. Woman’s objectives are presented differently in the movie than the play. Viola, in the film, hides her identity to gain gender equality. This is shown when Viola makes the Illyria soccer team and is forced to pretend she is her brother, Sebastian, instead of her true identity. However, beating the Cornwall soccer team, she makes a point that women are just as tough as men. Viola’s powerful transformation proves gender equality. In the film, women’s goals are presented distinctively from the play. In the play and the movie, women’s purpose are reflected in diverse ways. Viola, in the play, as a young female, hides her identity to protect herself. Viola disguises her identity because she senses weakness in herself without her brother.“Conceal me what I am, and be my aid / For such disguise as haply shall become / The form of my intent. I’ll serve this duke” (1.2.50-53). By disguising herself as a man, Viola feels secure to challenge anything that comes her way. She also feels respected since society, in the shakespearean era, was dominated by men. In the text, Viola’s plan is aimed in a different direction than the

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