Scholarly open access journals, Peer-reviewed, and Refereed Journals, Impact factor 8.14 (Calculate by google scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool) , Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Indexing in all major database & Metadata, Citation Generator, Digital Object Identifier(DOI)
This paper explores the idea of female masculinity as a way of resistance and survival in Shakespearean comic heroines, specifically, Viola (Twelfth Night) and Rosalind (As You Like It). Located inside the patriarchal and strictly gendered social structure of the Elizabethan era, Shakespearean comedy provides the moment in which the traditional gender roles are shaken up through disguise, acting, and role-switching. Based on the prevailing theory of gender and feminist criticism, this paper will contend that Viola and Rosalind are strategic in adopting masculine identities not only as tools used in theatricality but also as empowering tools, which allow mobility, power, and independence that women otherwise lack. Their masculine acts challenge conventional masculinity and femininity binaries to expose gender as dynamic and performative, and socially constructed. By prefiguring female masculinity, the paper will show how Shakespeare foreshadows contemporary debate of gender performativity and criticizes the role of hegemonic masculinity by using comedy to resolve the conflict. Finally, the paper argues that Shakespearean heroines can turn convention into subversion in which masculinity serves as an instrument of self-preservation, negotiating desire, and social agents in comic settings.
"From Convention to Subversion: Female Masculinity in Shakespeare's Heroines- Viola & Rosalind ", International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation (www.ijrti.org), ISSN:2455-2631, Vol.11, Issue 1, page no.b219-b225, January-2026, Available :http://www.ijrti.org/papers/IJRTI2601129.pdf
Downloads:
000106
ISSN:
2456-3315 | IMPACT FACTOR: 8.14 Calculated By Google Scholar| ESTD YEAR: 2016
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 8.14 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator