In The Merchant of Venice and Pygmalion, Portia and Eliza on the surface seem to be typical women of their time, sold to men and told who to marry. Although more than 300 years separate these two plays, the role of females is very similar in that they are portrayed by society as objects of desire. Women typically got their identity from that of their husband’s power and status. Portia and Eliza both illustrate how women can have great influence and which is unheard of from women in the renaissance and early 20th century. Shakespeare and Shaw use female characters to convey the true definition of feminism by creating heroic and independent characteristics in Portia and Eliza.
As seen in both the Merchant of Venice and Pygmalion, Eliza and Portia were both given arranged marriages and told who they belong to. This was the common thing that was done in renaissance time (Merchant of Venice) and also in the early 1900’s (Pygmalion). In Pygmalion, Higgins says “Very well, then, what on earth is all this fuss about? The girl doesn't belong to anybody—is no use to anybody but me”, Higgins is implying that Eliza doesn’t belong to anyone at the moment, meaning that a girl should belong to someone. In Merchant of Venice, Nerissa is quoted “Your father was ever virtuous; and holy men at their death have good inspirations: therefore the lottery, that he hath devised in these three chests of gold, silver and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, will, no doubt, never be chosen by any rightly but one who shall rightly love.” Nerissa is implying that Portia’s father had good intentions when he planned the casket contest that Portia was to have men participate in to decide who her husband would be. These two examples of Eliza being sold to a man and Portia having a husband chosen for her are normal practices, even though more than 300 years separates these two plays.
In the Merchant of Venice, Portia separates herself from the typical female role in the renaissance. Portia shows self sacrifice and her determination to save the lives of others. In the play, Portia offers to double the amount owed to the shylock in order to save Antonio’s life, who is a person she doesn’t really know. “Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond, Double six thousand, and then treble that, Before a friend of this description shall lose a hair through Bassanio’s fault.” Portia offers this money in respect to her love for Bassanio, but she steps up as a women in order to save a man’s life which is an unordinary and brave thing for a women to do in the 1600’s. In Pygmalion, Shaw shows Eliza as a girl who does not quite obey men like other women in the 1900’s. In Act 2, Eliza refuses to sit down when she is ordered to by Higgins. This shows how Eliza differs from other women and is somewhat ahead of her time. In the 1900’s most ladies would not dare talk back to a man, but Eliza shows no fear and separates herself from the typical gender role of the early 1900’s. Many times through out the Merchant of Venice, Portia shows heroism, a rare characteristic of a woman in the 1600’s. In order to avoid Bassanio having to pay Shylock with his life, Portia disguises herself as a Law clerk to exercise her vast knowledge of the law to her benefit against Shylock. Portia shows her bravery and also her intelligence by being able to articulate the laws to Shylock in order to save Bassanio’s life. What makes this scene even more exciting and important to the gender role of this play is that only men could be law clerks in the renaissance time, which shows how much more equality Portia portrays than other women. In Act 5 of Pygmalion, Eliza uses her newly studied gracefulness to insult Higgins, attacking him with the language and manners that he taught her. Eliza also threatens to use his teachings on her to make a living of her own. This is a very controversial thing to do as a women in this time. Shaw is showing how Portia isn’t afraid to stand up to a man and be independent, something totally unheard of from women in this time.
Portia has demonstrated a great deal of intelligence and power by showing what is important to her. All that Portia had planned, resulted all in her favor. The part of the law that would ruin Antonio was deemed insufficient thanks to Portia, the part of the law that would ruin Shylock was convinced to be unusable in a case similar to Shylocks. Also before Shylock could find out what was being done, the case was already done and Shylock had been defeated. Portia was able to save Antonio’s life by outsmarting Shylock, a person who Antonio himself could not defeat. This shows the intelligence and power of Portia that which renaissance women were not said to have. In the sequel of Pygmalion, Shaw says that strong men usually do not marry or look for strong women. Since Eliza is a strong character, she looks for different qualities in a man. Eliza makes a compromise and marries Freddy who cannot support her but he can appreciate her. This shows how the role of men and women is switched in this marriage, Eliza is the strong one and Freddy is the weaker and affectionate one. Shaw is demonstrating how Eliza is a strong and independent woman, which is unheard of from women in this time. Shakespeare and Shaw use Portia and Eliza to elude that women can hold power and influence over men. The way women are treated in the time frames of these plays is very similar, women hold very little influence over men. Portia and Eliza both battle the stereotype of women and show how females can hold power and influence over men. Feminism is taught throughout both plays that most likely influenced women during these times to be more like Portia and Eliza. Portia and Eliza act as role models for women in these times to influence women to be more independent and prove that that equality can occur between men and women in society.