'The Cry of Women': Three Shakespearean Females and Their Speech

Research will begin with analysis of feminist theory and its connection to linguistic frameworks, in order to provide tentative criteria for what should be defined as masculine and feminine speech. Each case study/Shakespearean woman will then be applied to this theoretical framework, to contextualize how their language influences their dramatic power or lack thereof. Also, since Merry Wives was written both in Quarto and Folio version, both will be analyzed and compared respectively. While it would be impossible to clearly classify all of Shakespeare’s female characters, I believe these select three make relatively universal and relatable "case studies", since they appear to be specific character types: Lady Macbeth as a femme fatale, Mistress Quickly as a clown, and Desdemona as a woman made victim.No embargoAcademic Major: Englis