Portrayal Of Women In Ben Jonsons Volpone Essay - 1074 Words

Women for centuries have fought against a male dominated society in order to achieve a more equal standing. This same society and its stereotypes of women have proven to be a hindrance to accomplishing this lofty goal. These stereotypes prevailed in renaissance England and flourished in many of the female characters in the literature. Ben Jonsons classic comedy, Volpone, surely falls into this category. The portrayal of Celia and Lady Would-Be in Volpone reflects the misperceptions and low status of women in Renaissance England. Celia reveals herself initially, however briefly, in Act II, Scene II. She does not speak but simply observes Volpone from her window, dropping her handkerchief to show her interest. This scene of Volpone down†¦show more content†¦Although on the surface, this may seem as a term of affection, Celia transforms from a cherished wife to an object to be bargained. Because Celia plays the weak, lowly victim and allows Corvino to rule her domain, she ultim ately is responsible for being played like a pawn in a chess game. However, even in a chess game there is the Queen. Here only male figures make the rules. Celia finally appears to stand up for herself in Act III, Scene VI, when she protests Corvino prostituting her out to Volpone in order to gain his riches. With this most sincere of insults, Corvino brings to the surface his wifes true insecurities. For although Celia pleads with Corvino to not allow this to happen, her defense lies in Corvino again locking her away. She implores, Sir, let me beseech you, [a]ffect not these strange trials; if you doubt [m]y chastity, why, lock me up forever; [m]ake me the heir of darkness. Let me live [w]here I may please your fears, if not your trust. Celia does not possess the strength to stand up and defend herself against Corvinos mistreatment. Her only choices seem to be becoming a concubine to Volpone or a prisoner from the world, both at the hands of her husband. The thought of an option controlled by her never comes to Celias feeble mind. She can only hope for a noble knight to come and rescue her from this dire situation. Luckily for Celia, one exists. Just asShow MoreRelatedPortrayal of Women in Jonsons Volpone Essay1144 Words   |  5 PagesThe Portrayal of Women in Jonsons Volpone Women for centuries have fought against a male dominated society in order to achieve a more equal standing. This same society and its stereotypes of women have proven to be a hindrance to accomplishing this lofty goal. These stereotypes prevailed in renaissance England and flourished in many of the female characters in the literature. Ben Jonsons classic comedy, Volpone, surely falls into this category. The portrayal of Celia and Lady Would-Be in VolponeRead MorePost-Shakespearean Dramatists and declining of drama during post-Shakespeare period2502 Words   |  11 Pagesto fill his place. Just as Chaucer’s successors failed to maintain the greatness of Chaucer, Shakespeare’s successor had little of the genius of Shakespeare. In the hands of his successors comedy became eccentric and tragedy lost its epic grandeur. Ben Jonson failed in the field of tragedy. 2 5) Exhaustion of Creative Spirit – Shakespeare in spite of borrowing his material from different sources had the creative imagination, and in his hands the borrowed material ‘suffered a sea-change into something