22/5/13

Can Shakespeare be accused of male chauvinism?

In The Comedy of Errors, Act 3, Scene 2, Dromio of Syracuse is telling Antipholus, his master, about Nell, the kitchen-wench, who is pursuing him with marriage intentions:

Dromio: ...she is spherical, like a globe; I could find out countries in her.
Antipholus: In what part of her body stands Ireland?
Dro: Marry, sir, in her buttocks; I found it by the bogs (seguro, señor, en su culo junto a las ciénagas).
...
Ant.: Where Spain?
Dro: Faith, I saw it not, but I felt it hot in her breath.
...
Ant.: Where stood Belgia, the Netherlands?
Dro: O, sir, I did not look so low.

As happened with Shakespeare's expressions for 'copulate' that I posted a few days ago, I'm afraid some of my followers may find these terms used by Shakespeare to describe feminine private parts little flattering for women. In fact, some might even go as far as accusing him of male chauvinism but, in my modest opinion, that is out of the question. Shakespeare is a genius, and as such he's entitled to certain poetic licenses.

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