Do you agree with Juliet Dusinbierres claim that Renaissance Drama is feminist-in-sympathy?

The Renaissance all oversaw a debate that ch whollyenged the roles of women. Although, feminism did not exist in Renaissance, there were women in society who repugnd to get comparability with men.1 However, whether Renaissance play contains feminist sympathies is controversial. privy Websters The Duchess of Malfi 2and Ben Jonsons Volpone3 argon two plays that portray a effeminate struggle for exemption and equality. Yet at the same, both plays show that there were limitations to this freedom and equality as not only were women dominated by patriarchy except in whatever case it seems that any women who proved resistant to this and strived to achieve equality were at last punished for their actions.Webster demonstrates how women struggle to achieve equality and freedom as the protagonist, The Duchess is precise dominating and independent. Siobhan Keenan supports this as she argues that Websters portrayal of the Duchess does not con body-build to either stereotype. The adul t womanish that we finally meet in the play is witty, self-confident and knowledgeablely knowing.4Keenan makes a strong argument beca economic consumption , seems that the Duchess in the first half of the play at least is domineering and therefore does not remain the ideal, chaste and guiltless woman that formed the typical feminine stereotype in the Renaissance.5 The Duchess is self-assured6 and domineering by the trend that she courts Antonio and marries him, contempt defying her brothers, Ferdinand and the Cardinal, and marrying beneath her kindly class. This is seen in movement 1 Scene 3 when the Duchess saysShall this move me? If all my royal kindredLay in my way unto my marriage,Id make them my misfortunate footsteps and even now,Even in this hate, as men in most great battles,By apprehending danger, fool achievedAlmost impossible actions (I have perceive soldiers say so),So i through fights and threatening will hindranceThis dangerous venture. Let old wives repor tI winked and chose a husband, Cariola,To thy know secrecy I have given upMore than my invigoration my fame (1348-58)7The Duchess is independent in the way that she marries Antonio, because unlike the male contrast that would usually courts his suitor, the duchess decides to ap degree a husband for herself, and therefore in the figure out challenges patriarchal authority. The duchess challenges patriarchal authority because her description of her brothers as her low footsteps (1350)8 illustrates that she messnot be controlled and that nothing will dissent in her way of her marriage.Webster in like manner demonstrates how women are equal alongside men to some expiration where the Duchess is pertain because it appears that once the Duchess is married to Antonio, she wields immense control and influence over their relationship. This is seen in guess 3, Scene 2 when Antonio suggestsANTONIO Well Sleep TogetherDUCHESS Alas, what pleasure can two lovers find in sleep?CARIOLA My lord, I lie with her often, and i knowShell much disquiet you .ANTONIO See, you are complained of.CARIOLA For shes the sprawlingst bedfellowANTONIO I shall like herThe break dance for that (3210-14)9The Duchesss refusal to sleep with Antonio is significant here because it demonstrates not only that she mainly influences her relationship with Antonio but also that she will control her own sexual life and function as a woman.Jonsons Volpone also demonstrates that there is a struggle for women to achieve equality and freedom, as this is partly seen by the video of Lady sagacious-Would-Be and Celia. Webster shows how Lady Politic-Would Be is independent by the way that she likes to verbalize her femininity as she saysCome nearer. Is this curlIn his right habitation? Or this? Why is this higherThen all the rest? You ha not washed your eyes yet?Or do they not stand even i your head?Wheres your fellow? Call her. (3410-14)10Lady Politic Would Bes questioning of her beauty is signific ant here because it demonstrates that not only is she particular of her own image as a woman but also that she wants to control her own femininity and identity.Jonson also demonstrates to a certain extent through his portrayal of Celia that women are resistant towards men. This is particularly seen in Act 3 Scene 7 when Volpone tries to both seduce and rape CeliaVOLPONE moot me cold,Frozen, and impotent, and so report me?That I had Nestors hernia, thou wouldst think.I do degenerate, and disgust my nation.To play with opportunity thus long.I should have done the Act and then have parleyed.Yield, or Ill force theeCELIA O Just idol (37259-264)11Celias adornment of Christian values and religion is used to camouflage her foe to men to a certain extent. Celias Christian values and beliefs play an big role in allowing her to prove her resistance because it demonstrates that apart from her husband, she is only answerable to God, and therefore this offers protection and comfort to her .12 Further more, both Celias refusal to yield (37263)13 to Volpone and her let loose for help could be viewed as a key turning point in the play. This is because not only is this the first time that a female character resists male authority but also it shows that women do have a voice. Celias voice could mark a stage in the struggle for female equality because it shows that women are both capable of expressing their identity and silencing patriarchy.However, at the same time, Webster and Jonson also show throughout their plays that there are limitations to achieving female equality. Webster and Jonson both show that patriarchy dominates the lives of women and therefore in doing so provides an impediment to freedom. Jonson and Webster show how women are dominated by patriarchy by the way that both Celia and the Duchess are viewed as possessions and target areas of men. Jonson shows that Celia is viewed as an object of Corvino because she is not allowed to forswear her home and i s therefore kept isolated from society. This is supported by Michael sturdy who has argued that Celia is not a character to appeal to feminists for she is dependent on the actions of others.Celia is acted upon, or else than acting freely herself and is at the mercy of the male characters in the play.14 Stout makes a strong argument here because throughout the play, Celia is largely portrayed typically as the chaste, virtuous and subservient woman who proves to be dominated by her husband and is domesticated. Jonson also shows how Celia is treated as an object of her husband by the way that Corvino tries to sell his wife to Volpone, and therefore likens her to funds as he asks What is my Gold/The worse for, touching? (3740-41)15 Corvinos consultation to Celia as gold (3740)16 is significant here in demonstrating how women are viewed as property because by situating women in economic terms, it allows men to use and abuse women, and hence enables them to become more prosperous and powerful. In akin(predicate) fashion, Webster also demonstrates that women are referred to in economic terms and treated as objects, as this is seen in Act 1 Scene 3 when the Duchess has a conversation with FerdinandDUCHESS Diamonds are of most value,They say, that they have passed through most jewellers hands.FERDINAND Whores by that rule are precious. (137-9)17Ferdinands description of the Duchess as a form of jewellery that is precious (139)18 is significant in demonstrating how men subdue to reduce women to objects. This is because by trying to exert influence and dominance over women in this way it not only allows men to become more prosperous but also more competitive and prestigious in society.Webster also shows how women neer really achieve equality as this is seen by the way that the Duchess is murdered towards the end of the play and does not outlive any of the male characters.19 Although, Websters play is a tragedy, it is significant that he alters the conventions in choosing a woman as his tragical hero. Websters choice of a woman for his tragic hero and the Duchess death in the play is important because it could demonstrate that women never really achieve freedom. Women never really achieve freedom because despite striving to achieve a voice, this ultimately proves too artificial and anaemic within a society governed and driven by men.Renaissance Drama only contains feminist sympathies to some extent. Although Webster and Jonson in their plays show that women struggle to achieve freedom and equality alongside men, this ultimately proves limited and counterproductive as not only are female characters heavily influenced by patriarchy. However, they are also eventually oppressed and punished for any attempted actions or resistance against this.