This thesis is in partial fulfillment of my English Bachelor of Arts Degree. In my thesis, I explore the contemporary relevance of ShakespeareÕs heroines today. I chose to compare three female protagonists from the comedies Ð Portia from The Merchant of Venice, Rosalind from As You Like It, and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing - because they have dominant roles in their plays and in this Shakespearean genre. By analyzing the characters through close reading, performance study, and a review of the critical commentary, I discovered that each of these characters has a steadfast personality, extraordinary skills, sharp wit, and potent knowledge which they use to rebel against the patriarchy, educate the narrow-minded men of power they encounter, and devise for themselves a more equal marriage than is typical for the period. My research concludes that the comedic heroinesÕ traits and actions qualify them as strong women for their time and as role models today.