Talking about women in Shakespeare's plays is talking about men too. Shakespeare absolutely rejected the idea of separating genders in all aspects; physically, intellectually and spiritually. There's no resemblance with the transitional period from the medieval time to the modern period (the Renaissance) when Twelfth Night was written, Ben Jonson on the other side 'did not invent cross-gender casting - male actors portrayed women in all Elizabethans drama; but the antics of Dol Common and Pliant in The Alchemist reveal the women's identities as susceptible to change as any. When Surly tells Pliant he has rescued her honor and "preserv'd [her as] a woman," he is mistaken. A woman's reputation, like wealth, is not easy to preserve in Jonson's world, if the woman is a man.' (Joel Schechter, Berkeley Repertory Theatre program, February 2000.) The Renaissance was a culture full of negations. In this particular culture, women were forced to be under the control of men, mainly because they needed male protection. A perfect example is Celia in Volpone. This simile linking Celia's sex-appeal with the appeal of gold: 'Bright as your gold ! And lovely as your gold!' made by Mosca whets Volpones interest in her, by comparing Volpone's main addiction (money) with her. Volpone enjoys the 'cunning purchase' of his wealth 'more than the glad possession', so he will as well enjoy the challenge of seducing a woman who is married and hard to get. A woman’s individuality was by law integrated with the one of her male guardian: 'She's kept as warily as your gold' Celia was under Corvino's control. She is kept shut up at home, guarded by spies. The inferiority women had enforced on them to be decent, silent, and respectful. As women were judged as being inferior to men, cross-dressing induced an important change of status in society. If a woman pretended to be a man in any aspect, she actually was assuming more rights than she was designated to. It was only in stories and celebrations where cross-dressing was allowed, to kind of escape from reality for a short period of time. Viola did it to run away in an indirect way from the pain she felt when she thought Sebastian died: 'Conceal me what I am..' She also disguised herself 'to assure her own protection in an alien world which would not respect a young virgin maiden.' (cliffnotes) Viola, after her first introduction as a eunuch describes herself in her monologue as a 'poor monster', a very usual reference from this period for an unnatural creature. This speech captures that for the first time, the cross-dressed female figure takes in mind the psychological implications brought about by the male disguise. Viola acknowledges 'the complexities of homoeroticism by surrounding it with anxiety' (Hayles 1980: 234-35). Even though Olivia is female, Viola is not able to share any of her worries, so she decides to turn inward psychologically by using monologues. In the same way Celia may not be the only female character in Volpone but she is not able to relate with anyone because of her possessive husband. Corvino imprisons Celia in the household, so that he could be sure of her faithfulness “ I will buy some slave../..bind thee to him, alive And at my window, hang you forth.” after witnessing the scene of Volpone in the street and Celia leaning out her window from above suggesting the love story of