The Roaring Girl

Analysis

There is much speculation surrounding the impact of Moll Cutpurse's character within The Roaring Girl. Critics have discussed how she shapes gender relations, and how she represents a woman's situation in Early Modern England. Because she is a "man-woman", scholars have debated over Middleton and Dekker's use of this construct.[9][10] The contradictory ideals Moll exposes throughout the play challenge her reputation and whether her ill-repute is deserved or not. Moll's male attire upholds her "female" modesty by literally covering her body. Her male attitude creates an identity of immorality regarding women having a male libido. Yet, she is chaste and not interested in pursuing relations with men (which is not to say that she is asexual necessarily). Her negative reputation is seemingly not deserved but is upheld throughout the play.

The Royal Shakespeare Company performed the play in 2014, with Lisa Dillon as Moll, and named a season of plays after it.[11]


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