Women’s Oppression in Shakespeare’s Othello
Introduction
The theme of gender particularly women oppression stands out as a significant subject in the course of examining Shakespeare’s Othello. Recebt years have seen scholars coming to realize the significance that female characters within the play contributed towards the growth of the plot and other themes within the play (You 12). Women, gender, and domesticity are significant subjects to explore in this particular play since they are evident in almost all the scenes (Adams 4). They are significant to this particular study since different aspects of gender have been explored in the play to bring out oppression faced by women. An example is the roles and expectations that women in the play are expected to perform such as carrying out domestic tasks, satisfying men sexually and always serving men whenever called upon. Also, women oppression has played a critical role in developing other characters and themes within the play. In the play, women oppression has been depicted through Othello’s mother even though she died prior the beginning of the play, Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca (You 12). In what follows, I will argue that Othello has greatly explored the fact that men disregard women in the society and all the action men do to women is a form of oppression.
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Women’s Oppression based on their gender.
Aspects of women oppression particularly as a result of gender inequality are evident throughout the play. The subject of women oppression stands out as a significant subject in the course of examining Othello’s tragedy in Shakespeare’s Othello due to the significant contribution made by women in the course of enhancing the play’s plot. In the play, from the onset to the end of the play there are numerous instances whereby the audience can notice discriminatory words or acts made against women. Within the play, it is clear that women have been rendered powerless and are considered as men’s possession. From time to time, within the play, women are referred to as objects. For instance, Brabantio asserts “She is ... stol'n from me“ (1.3.60). In this statement, Brabantio employs the use of political terms to describe the situation and the things that had come to pass making him consider his daughter to be dead to him. Also, within the same scene, the men; Roderigo and Brabantio can be seen to consider the inferiority that women have as something natural. It is for this reason that Roderigo asserts that Desdemona had made a “great revolt” since she had portrayed resistance against men’s leadership (Adam 60).
Oppression of women due to traditional stereotypes
In some of the conversations in the play, women are dishonored insulted and not trusted. This is evident where Desdemona tries to prove how loyal and true she is but Othello does not believe asserting “Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.” Here, Othello shows the lack of trust that she has towards Desdemona. Instead of explaining to her using kind words she employs the use of harsh words. She prompts her to continue lying to him so that she can be damned by God to hell.
Works Cited
Adams, Michael. William Shakespeare's Othello. Woodbury, N.Y: Barron's, 1984. Print.
Boyer, Arlynda. "The Other Interracial Marriage in Othello". Shakespeare
(Shakespeare): 11.2 (2015 June), pp. 178-200.
Shakespeare, William, and Jane Coles. Othello. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014. Print.
Smith, Ian. "Seeing Blackness: Reading Race in Othello". pp. 405-420. Michael Neill
(ed.) and David Schalkwyk (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Shakespearean Tragedy.
Oxford Handbooks. Oxford, England: Oxford UP, 2016.
You, Hao. "Men, Women and War: An Examination of Gender Conflicts within Othello." (2015).
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