Essay about The Tragic Treatment of Women in Othello

The Tragic Treatment of Women in Othello In Shakespeares drama, Othello, there are many different relationships among the main characters. The way that Shakespeare portrays these relationships sets the stage for the pain and deceit that unfolds within the play. Relations between the men of the play, Othello, Roderigo, Iago, and Cassio, undoubtedly form the main theme. Furthermore, each of the men, except Roderigo, also has woman that stands behind and cares for him. But the manor in which these women are treated is why the story ends on such a tragic note. After a careful analysis of the women, Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca, one can see that much of the tragedy could have been avoided if only the men would have given them a chance†¦show more content†¦So, early in the play there is evidence that women are not treated equally, and thought to be incapable of making decisions that effect their own life. Desdemona is brought in by her father to the court to be questioned for her actions, she replies with utter respect to her father, but devotion to her husband To you I am bound for life and education / I am hither to your daughter. But here is my husband. And so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father (1.3.184-190). In other words, she is grateful to her father for what he has given to her but will stand by the side of her husband. She does not hesitate to defend her husband in front of her father. This shows she has a strong inner will and is very capable of making her own decisions, a quality that Othello makes the grave mistake of ignoring. Despite the set backs in Venice, Othello and Desdemona are deeply in love and things seem to be even better when they arrive in Cyprus. Othello publicly proclaims his love for her when they meet there: Othello. It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me. O my souls joy, If after every tempest come such calms, may the wind blow til they have wakened death. And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas Olympus high, and duck again as low as hells from heaven! If it were now to die, Twere now to be most happy, for I fear my soul hat her content so absolute that not another comfort like to this.Show MoreRelatedTo What Extent Is Desdemona Presented as a Tragic Victim in Othello?1489 Words   |  6 PagesTo what extent is Desdemona presented as a tragic victim in the play ‘Othello’? Desdemona, the daughter of Venetian senator Brabantio, is captivated by Othello’s fables of bravery as a warrior and she falls in love with him. In view of the fact that Desdemona is a â€Å"fair† woman and Othello is â€Å"an old black ram†, commonly referred to as ‘the Moor’, their marriage indicates that her fate might be tragic. 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However, attitudes towards race have taken a dramatic turn during the last century. In the developed world people are now living in an increasingly cosmopolitan society would undoubtedly be more tolerant and would reject or even be offendedRead MoreLiterary Scholarship And Criticism Of Shakespeare s The Invention Of The Human 1309 Words   |  6 Pagesable to express himself more vividly and memorably than anyone else in the language† (p. 7). J.J.M. Tobin’s three components of Shakespeare’s artistry will serve as the anchors for exploring how four of Shakespeare’s prominent tragedies, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear, demonstrate the faculty of Shakespeare’s expertise. 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Was Emilia’s feminism-forward outspokenness against Othello’s patriarchal society worth her paying the ultimate price? Yes. Emilia is the handmaiden to the wife of Othello, Desdemona, and the wife of the story’s antagonist, Iago. Emilia frequently spends abundant amounts of time with Desdemona, so it is only natural that these two women would discuss topics that only women of the VenetianRead MoreOthering Frankenstein Essay1887 Words   |  8 Pagesalterity, class, and gender as aspects of othering. Shelley’s exploration of these ideas allows for various readings of the text, including post-colonialist, Marxist, and feminist critiques. These ideas and readings are also seen within the text Othello by William Shakespeare. The creation of the ‘other’ can be seen throughout human history as a way of distinguishing groups based on arbitrary criteria. It is used by societies in order to an â€Å"us† and â€Å"them†. Edward Said describes the term othering