Othello: Discrimination Against Women Essay -- Othello essays

Othello the Discrimination Against Wo custody Yes, even in Shakespeares tragical drama Othello there is considerable sexism. Let us root away and analyze instances of obvious sexism in this play. Even the noble habitual yielded to the male chauvinist remarks and insinuations of his ancient, thus developing a reprehensible attitude toward his lovely and nigh wife. Angela Pitt in Women in Shakespeares Tragedies comments on the Moors male chauvinist treatment of Desdemona Desdemona has, therefore, some quite serious faults as a wife, including a will of her own, which was evident even before she was married. This does not mean that she merits the disgustful accusations flung at her by Othello, nor does she in any way deserve her death, barely she is partly responsible for the tragic action of the play. Othellos behavior and attach jealousy are made more comprehensible if we remember what Elizabethan husbands might expect of their wives. (45) In the opening scene, while Iag o is expressing his hatred for the general Othello for his selection of Michael Cassio for the lieutenancy, he contrives a plan to partially avenge himself (I follow him to serve my turn upon him), with Roderigos assistance, by alerting Desdemonas father, Brabantio, to the fact of his daughters elopement with Othello Call up her father, / Rouse him suffer after him, poison his delight . . . . Implied in this move is the fact of a fathers assumed control over the daughters choice of a marriage partner. Iagos warning to the senator follows closely Zounds, sir, youre robbd for shame, target on your gown / Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul. This rehearsal also implies that the father has authority over the daught... ...ilias stunning question and conviction of her own husband as the evil mastermind fuck the murder reverses the sexist image of women underlying the play. Her performance proves that women are channelize by reason to the same extent, or even greater t han, men and that men are passion-driven moreso than are women. The tables are turned on sexism at the very climax of the drama WORKS CITED Jorgensen, Paul A. William Shakespeare The Tragedies. Boston Twayne Publishers, 1985. Pitt, Angela. Women in Shakespeares Tragedies. Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Shakespeares Women. N.p. n.p., 1981. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.