What female characters did Shakespeare portray positively?

Question

My english teacher claims that there was only one woman in all of Shakespeare's plays that was portrayed as emotionally strong, but I can't remember who it is.

Answer 1

I think your English teacher was wrong. There are several emotionally strong female characters in Shakespeare:

- Cordelia (King Lear)

- Katherine (Taming of the Shrew)

- Portia (Merchant of Venice)

- Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing)

- Rosalind (As You Like It)

Just to name a few!

Answer 2

is it sarah? but the oldest daughter in taming of the shrew

Answer 3

idk isnt it juliet  

Answer 4

queen Gertrude from Hamlet. and really, even she is headstrong at some points. your teacher is correct though.

Answer 5

Do you mean portrayed positively? Or as emotionally strong?

For instance, Lady MacBeth is certainly emotionally strong, but it is hard to think that she is portrayed positively.  Ditto for Goneril; and Regan (King Lear), and others.  

I wonder if your teacher is forgetting the comedies, for the comedies are full of strong women portrayed positively: Rosalind (As You Like It), Portia (Merchant of Venice),  Viola (Twelfth Night), Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing) etc.

Even disregarding the clear comedies I am wondering which woman your teacher is thinking of.  My guess is Cordelia (King Lear) (King Lear) but there are other possibilities, though more disquieting ones: Isabella (Measure For Measure), Hermione (Winter's Tale).