Othello serves as an example to demonstrate the expectations of the Elizabethan patriarchal society, the practice of privileges in patriarchal marriages, and the suppression and restriction of femininity. Iago's ability to fool Othello that he is loyal while secretly plotting his demise is what makes his revenge effective. Whatever gave her the idea that she needed to protect Othello all throughout pointed to nuances on the issue of feminism. Othello is an extraordinary later work of Shakespeare's which, as an indication of true greatness and a testament to its literary worth, can be interpreted in many ways. Here Iago tells Othello that the women in Venice are deceptive and they hide loose behaviour from their husbands. When she realizes Othello has killed Desdemona, Emilia immediately lashes out at him, stating “Thou dost belie her and thou art a devil” (5.2. Feminist readings of the play explore the gender politics of Othello. There are several different forms of feminism represented in Othello, Desdemona is presented in Act 1 Scene 3 as a woman bound to her father and loyal to her husband (as men believe women should be). Though Desdemona and Emilia, the two main female figures in Othello, have horrific deaths, they advance the feminist cause by denying the female stereotypes set by their male counterparts. Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers. And finally, it is the women, their characters and actions which are justified. They were below them and Emilia calls society out on the inequlaity between men and women: Within the patriarchy of Venetian society, the women served major purposes, sometimes being victimized and stereo-typed in its name. Feminist Role of Emilia Othello is often argued to be one of William Shakespeare’s most heart wrenching tragedies. When we look at Othello from feminist point of view it is important to note how the women of this play are treated and stereotyped. Othello is a play in which these unequal positions are clearly portrayed. A feminist reading of Othello centralises on analysing the female characters within the play – more specifically, Desdemona and Emilia. Male entitlement towards female's body -> justify their actions, own females as if they are property Women are … Feminism in Antigone and Othello Feminism has been one of the most important forces in shaping our modern-day society. By iLoveMen69 May 11, 2014 2118 Words. Perhaps it could be said that Bianca is also presented according to a man’s interpretation as she is a whore and is treated accordingly by Cassio. Feminist criticism also provides a larger understanding of the time period the work was written in by highlighting these aspects of characters. It is still so common to see many of the points presented in the book till this day, men believing that they are … A strong current of misogyny flows through Othello, and many of the play’s tragic events emerge from this source. Desdemona, despite her intelligence and strength, is fierce in her loyalty to Othello. He asks Iago to oversee the unloading of his ship, and he, Desdemona, and all but Iago and Roderigo head to the castle to celebrate their victory over the Turks. ). Cite Brian Fang Hansen Period 5 9 February 2014 The Evolving Face of Feminism: Shakespeare’s Attitude Regarding Women For eons, females have been subjugated under the vice-like grip of men. Pages: 37 Words: 11123 Topics: Desdemona, Feminism, Iago, Jane Austen, Othello, Pride and Prejudice, Taming of The Shrew. It is originating from not one, but rather various male characters in the play, who manifest prejudicial, discriminatory attitudes toward women. Othello serves as an example to demonstrate the expectations of the Elizabethan patriarchal society, the practice of privileges in patriarchal marriages, and the suppression and restriction of femininity. The feminist perspective challenges sexism and other beliefs and practices that result in the domination of women. Othello-Reflects on Jacobean beliefs that should a woman cheat or defy husband, masculinity is destroyed, Othello enraged at this slight. The … Your research paper is written by certified writers; Your requirements and targets are always met; You are able to control the progress of your writing assignment; You get a chance to become an excellent student! Desdemona (Janie Brookshire) and Emilia (Karen Peakes) in Othello at Folger Theatre, 2011. In the next moment, he takes his first dig at Desdemona: ‘ She did deceive her father marrying you ’ (3.3.209), reminding Othello that Desdemona married him secretly, without her father’s permission. The main ideas of Othello are jealousy and revenge. Two such ways helping us to draw a deeper understanding of society and its values are to be found by making a feminist and racial reading. It is Othello's belief in Desdemona's lack of loyalty that seals their fates. In these ways … Othello's lack of loyalty is what incites Iago's plan for revenge. A feminist critic would consider the roles of the male and female characters in relation to the patriarchal context of the play. It has been said that Shakespeare was a feminist, and on the surface, the thought may seem plausible, though a closer look at the female characters present within “Othello” reveals a different story. Othello is a great play to analyze with many different types of literature criticisms, but Feminist Criticism analyzes the plot and the main characters situation most. Othello serves as an example to demonstrate the expectations of the Elizabethan patriarchal society, the practice of privileges in patriarchal marriages, and the suppression and restriction of femininity. However, it was not always this way. Othello’s tragedy is that his love, which could have co-existed peacefully with his military career (the state seems to accept this when they allow Othello and Desdemona to go to Cyprus together) is destroyed by the masculine code of one of its basest elements. [A4S1] ‘Oh my fair warrior’ The way women behave and conduct themselves in Othello is linked to the abstract expectations of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan society and the patriarchal society that he creates by the lack of representation that is given to women in the story, the portrayal of female suffering and sexual possession. For example, in Othello, Iago bends Othello to his will by feeding him lies that Desdemona is lecherous because, “She did deceive her father…” (Othello, Act III, … Shakespeare put a feminist in his play, showing that Shakespeare was before his time. Women within the play were seen as objects or possessions as seen when Iago warns Brabantio – “Look to your house, your daughter, your bags!” Iago is seen as familiarising women with mere possessions. Women were not held to the same standard as men. Shakespeare may offer an indictment of this socially entrenched notion of masculinity, that Othello would fly into such a rage when there is no real proof. (This is a project for school) This video explains gender equality seen in the play othello. Emilia also shows courage and self-assurance in chastising Othello for doubting his wife’s virtue, scolding him “If you think other / Remove your thought” (4.2.). This dissertation provides a critical discussion of the issues of race in such William Shakespeare’s plays as The Tempest, Titus Andronicus and Othello. Shakespeare’s Women William Shakespeare authored 37 plays, many of which feature rich characterizations of women. Order custom writing paper now! Feminism in Othello. She is the feminist of Othello. Gender and Race in Othello: Feminism. top-rated free essay Feminism in Othello. Feminist approaches to Othello usually focus on the character Desdemona who describes her own role as follows: DESDEMONA: "My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty: In Shakespeare’s time, men had particular views on women and Shakespeare shows … Many feminist critics have noted how female characters in Jacobean tragedies are victims who have limited power and are punished for their sexuality. Set in the later part of the sixteenth century Shakespeare explores symbolism, allegory, and imagery throughout this play. Characters in Othello; The portrayal of feminist sympathies Couples not married or romantically involved in the piece of literature What Emilia is an example of Skills Practiced. The Issues of Race in William Shakespeare’s Plays . Considered one of Shakespeare’s masterworks, Othello takes on a variety of themes, but like many of Shakespeare’s plays, the portrayal of strong and complex female characters lend a feminist undertone to the story. Othello then thanks the people of Cyprus for their hospitality. A Feminist Perspective of Othello Throughout the length of Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello there is a steady undercurrent of sexism. In Act II scene 1 of Othello, the villain Iago says some harsh things to his wife Emilia in the company of many. Throughout Othello, Shakespeare tries to allude to the idea of existing feminism when in reality women’s rights and just treatment are completely withheld in Othello’s society. Othello was crafted at the dawn of the 17th century, shaped by complex social and geopolitical issues that new historicist critics, who seek to place literary works within a historical framework, have recently sought to unravel. Virginia Mason Vaughan discusses four recent critical approaches: feminist, new historicist, marxist and post-colonial. A feminist analysis of the play Othello allows us to judge the different social values and status of women in the Elizabethan society. Feminism in Othello . Feminism in Othello, an essay fiction | FictionPress The women of Shakespeare's Othello continuously end up falling into various roles; the part of the fraud, the part of the victim, and the part of the hero. When Cassio shows courtesy to Emilia, Iago quickly adds his own criticisms to her character and shortly after begins his tirade: “Come on, come on. A feminist analysis of the play Othello allows us to judge the different social values and status of women in the Elizabethan society. 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