Hiding in Shakespeare

By James -
Disguises have played a role in both of Shakespeare's plays explored so far this semester, and will continue to play a role in upcoming Measure for Measure, even more overtly.

It was, at first, weird to me that Branagh in Henry V chose to use a "disguise" costume reminiscent of Star Wars' Emperor Palpatine (maybe, generously, crossed with Obi Wan Kenobi), but it makes a kind of sense... After all, his disguise allowed him to see what his soldiers wanted, then used that as bait to encourage them to fight for his cause. Very Imperial.

Portia, even more so. Right after being released from the marital bondage put in place by her father, Portia takes a guise that allows her a trifold victory: she settles her husband's debt, she enacts justice for Venice, and she takes control and ownership of her love life.

In Henry V and Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare has used disguise to enable an integral experience for a character. Henry needed to know his soldiers' confidence was waning, and Portia wanted/deserved to have a say in her life. In each case, the disguise was effective...

If you could disguise yourself, how would you do so? What would be the purpose of your disguise?

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