You Can Get Away With Murder

I do realize that women aren’t treated respectfully in
Shakespeare’s plays, but they also aren’t exactly model citizens. We’ve seen
that the women act out in anger (hey there, Beatrice) and strike their sisters
(oh, Kate), and also have interesting ways of interacting with many of the men
in the plays. I think what allows these characters, specifically Cressida and
Helen, to get away with their very informal, and suggestive, behavior is that
they are known to be beautiful.

In an exchange with Pandarus, Cressida replies to his remark
about what position she defends herself by saying, “Upon my back, to defend my
belly” (1.2.273). One can imagine that she is alluding to a sexual position. It
would seem that because she is pretty and charming and very witty, that she is
able to get away with such candid talk, even if it is to a relative. I suppose them
being related does give a bit of an allowance of how she conducts her behavior.
If that is the case, what is her excuse with Troilus. When confessing her love
(somewhat contrived) she says, “And yet, good faith, I wished myself a man, Or
that we women had men’s privilege Of speaking first. Sweet, bid me hold my
tongue” (3.2.129-131). Again Cressida speaks her mind without any
consequences. In fact, because she spoke her mind freely she was able to get
what she wanted: Troilus.

In Act 3 Scene 1, Helen keeps up with Pandarus’ underlying vulgar
insinuations and flirts openly. Pandarus says, “What says my sweet queen? My
cousin will fall out with you” (3.1.81-81). Yet she is never chided by Paris
for her behavior. We don’t just see vulgar conversation from Helen; we also see
that she does not take direction well. When Pandarus asks her to leave he and
Paris alone she says, “Nay, this shall not hedge us out. We’ll hear you sing,
certainly” (3.1.62-63). Not once do we see her take direction from anyone in
this play.

My argument is that these women get away with it because of
their looks. In the same way that the deformed citizens like Thersites can say
what they want so are these women allowed to speak their mind. Sexism may be
alive and well in Shakespeare’s plays, but at least our beautiful female
characters get to have a little fun.