Shakespeare treated women in his work differently than most writers did in his day. Three plays, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, and Much Ado About Nothing show at least one particularly "strong woman", this character usually has it all together, and is definitely more than just a pretty face. The roles that these women play are a lawyer, a fierce debater, and page/wooer for the man she loves. Another thing that Shakespeare does well is that he puts the characters in tight situations whether be it physically or characteristically.
             In the play, The Merchant of Venice Portia is the strong woman figure. She is wealthy, single and rules her own country/province. Portia is frustrated that she cannot choose her husband, but must use a method that her father set up for her. Shakespeare masterfully sets her up with Bassanio, which leads the play through the series of events in which Portia must rescue Antonio. Portia takes great risk to her life and property by donning men's clothing. She also appears in court as a referenced and experienced solicitor, who wins the case and even sticks it to Shylock for attempting to collect the bond.
             In Twelfth Night, the strong woman is Viola, who also dons men's clothing and in order to survive takes work as a messenger for the duke. Viola is charged with wooing Olivia, which is contrary to her nature, but she attempts to deal with her feelings and woo Olivia anyway, she is also challenged to a duel in the play. Viola is in a way her own worst enemy, she cannot do as she wishes, but yet she does not wish to do what she has been ordered to do. She goes throughout the play thinking that her brother has perished in the same shipwreck, but cannot adequately grieve him while she is in disguise. Only at the end is all revealed and Viola's conflict resolved. It would take an extremely strong woman to do what Viola did.
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