Shakespeare’s influence to theater: The evolving portrayal of women characters

Abstract

During the Elizabethan era, women were prohibited to perform in English theatre. Female characters were often portrayed as weak, dependent, or relying on men. William Shakespeare, one of the most famous playwrights of that time, transformed the way in which women were portrayed on stage. His writings introduced new portrayals of women characters, and directly influenced later script writings by other playwrights.  Women characters under Shakespeare’s pen challenged gender stereotypes and gender roles in theatre and society.  Characters like Lady Macbeth, Juliet, and Beatrice were  intelligent, courageous, and independent. Shakespeare also inspired later playwrights, including Pedro Calderón de la Barca and Frances Brooke, to continue on the expansion of women’s identification in plays. His influence shifted attitudes in the society, which contributed towards  women performing on stage following the Restoration under King Charles II. Shakespeare’s works not only challenged theatrical representation but also laid the groundwork for cultural acceptance of women’s voices and equality in the arts. The aim of this paper is to discover what events during the 15-17th centuries in English theater contributed to the change of women’s portrayal, and finally being accepted as performers.