1. Property and Law
Mary Shakespeare, even in Elizabethan times, was not the exception when it came to women's legal rights and practices. States Phyllis Rackin:
"Sixteenth century legal records show that the women in Shakespeare's family controlled considerable property both in land and in money. They also bequeathed property, served as executors of wills, and engaged in litigation designed to defend and further their financial interests. Shakespeare's mother, for instance, although she had nine older sisters and two older brothers, inherited the only freehold property her father bequeathed and served as one of his two executors. This was not exceptional. In fact, most of the executors of wills in Shakespeare's England were women rather than men, so much so that scribes sometimes mistakenly used the female form 'executrix' to refer to make executors of wills." (33)2. Social Status
John Shakespeare (William's father), before being elected to the important position of bailiff in Stratford, was a tenant farmer on the land on Robert Arden, who's daughter he would eventually marry. Besides being a substantial property owner, "Mary's father also possessed an ancient and respected family name" (Rackin 34). Mary's inherited status would have been important to John. In fact, although she was a woman and "her legal status was subordinate to her husband's," as Robert Arden's heiress, "her social status was distinctly superior" (Rackin 34).
3. Economic Life
Mary would have been an active participant in the economic life of the Shakespeare household. There are two ways we can know of her involvement. First, legal records from the Shakespeare's finances show that Mary was fully included in the economic running of the household. This can be documented from records "concerning the sale and conveyance of various pieces of property and litigation about it in which Mary's name appears along with her husband's" (Rackin 34). Second, as discussed previously, women during this period were not uneducated and illiterate. Many housewives knew how to read and had a basic education in order to better run their households. Therefore, it can be inferred that women (and specifically Mary) played an active part in the finances of the family, which were among other wifely domestic responsibilities.
All these details of Mary Shakespeare's life help us to see that as a financially and socially powerful woman, she may have had enormous influence over her son William. Growing up with such a mother, it is possible that William saw women in a more generous light than many of his fellow Elizabethans, and that this influence of his mother's caused him to write female characters that were independent and strong.
Works Cited
