The … 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. Whatever gave her the idea that she needed to protect Othello all throughout pointed to nuances on the issue of feminism. Many feminist critics have noted how female characters in Jacobean tragedies are victims who have limited power and are punished for their sexuality. 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. With the Turks defeated, the scene on Cyprus is domestic rather than military. 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, … 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. This dissertation provides a critical discussion of the issues of race in such William Shakespeare’s plays as The Tempest, Titus Andronicus and Othello. top-rated free essay Feminism in Othello. Within the patriarchy of Venetian society, the women served major purposes, sometimes being victimized and stereo-typed in its name. Pages: 37 Words: 11123 Topics: Desdemona, Feminism, Iago, Jane Austen, Othello, Pride and Prejudice, Taming of The Shrew. 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. A strong current of misogyny flows through Othello, and many of the play’s tragic events emerge from this source. Feminism in Othello. Male entitlement towards female's body -> justify their actions, own females as if they are property Women are … In Shakespeare’s time, men had particular views on women and Shakespeare shows … Othello is a play in which these unequal positions are clearly portrayed. An analysis of women being victims in Othello: Othello is a play written by William Shakespeare in the 1600s, this essay is from a feminist perspective. 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. 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. Othello then thanks the people of Cyprus for their hospitality. Desdemona, despite her intelligence and strength, is fierce in her loyalty to Othello. [A4S1] ‘Oh my fair warrior’ 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. A feminist critic would consider the roles of the male and female characters in relation to the patriarchal context of the play. A feminist analysis of the play Othello allows us to judge the different social values and status of women in the Elizabethan society. There are only three female characters in Othello, but each plays a critical role in the downfall of the tragic hero. 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). Women were not held to the same standard as men. 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. Shakespeare’s Women William Shakespeare authored 37 plays, many of which feature rich characterizations of women. 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. 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. Iago's ability to fool Othello that he is loyal while secretly plotting his demise is what makes his revenge effective. 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. 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’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. 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 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. Othello's lack of loyalty is what incites Iago's plan for revenge. 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. 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. 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. They were below them and Emilia calls society out on the inequlaity between men and women: A feminist analysis of the play Othello allows us to judge the different social values and status of women in the Elizabethan society. Photo by Carol Pratt. 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! Feminist criticism also provides a larger understanding of the time period the work was written in by highlighting these aspects of characters. Feminist readings of the play explore the gender politics of Othello. Iago in particular serves as a mouthpiece for misogyny, frequently making offensive comments about women both in private asides and soliloquies and in public conversations. Feminist Role of Emilia Othello is often argued to be one of William Shakespeare’s most heart wrenching tragedies. She is the feminist of Othello. 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. Feminism in Antigone and Othello Feminism has been one of the most important forces in shaping our modern-day society. It is originating from not one, but rather various male characters in the play, who manifest prejudicial, discriminatory attitudes toward women. Here Iago tells Othello that the women in Venice are deceptive and they hide loose behaviour from their husbands. Gender and Race in Othello: Feminism. It is still so common to see many of the points presented in the book till this day, men believing that they are … Set in the later part of the sixteenth century Shakespeare explores symbolism, allegory, and imagery throughout this play. A Feminist Perspective of Othello Throughout the length of Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello there is a steady undercurrent of sexism. And finally, it is the women, their characters and actions which are justified. A feminist reading of Othello centralises on analysing the female characters within the play – more specifically, Desdemona and Emilia. The main ideas of Othello are jealousy and revenge. 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.). However, it was not always this way. ). The Issues of Race in William Shakespeare’s Plays . Shakespeare put a feminist in his play, showing that Shakespeare was before his time. In this play there are only three women in the entire play. Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers. In Act II scene 1 of Othello, the villain Iago says some harsh things to his wife Emilia in the company of many. Virginia Mason Vaughan discusses four recent critical approaches: feminist, new historicist, marxist and post-colonial. 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. Othello-Reflects on Jacobean beliefs that should a woman cheat or defy husband, masculinity is destroyed, Othello enraged at this slight. The feminist perspective challenges sexism and other beliefs and practices that result in the domination of women. 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. Thanks to the women's rights movement, females today enjoy rights and freedoms that are unprecedented in the history of Western civilization. By iLoveMen69 May 11, 2014 2118 Words. It is Othello's belief in Desdemona's lack of loyalty that seals their fates. 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: 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. (This is a project for school) This video explains gender equality seen in the play othello. In these ways … 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. Order custom writing paper now! Desdemona (Janie Brookshire) and Emilia (Karen Peakes) in Othello at Folger Theatre, 2011. 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