Shakespeare's Treatment Of Women In Othello
In Shakespeare's play "Othello", the female characters, Desdemona, Bianca and Emilia, are presented to us in a variety of ways through dialogue, reactions, relationships, and their actions. Shakespeare conjures up sympathy for women, especially in the scenes where they are accompanied by men.
Desdemona is presented by Shakespeare in a somewhat contradictory fashion. Although she is "half the wooer", she is victimised by almost all of the male characters. Her own father Brabantio rejects her "I'd rather adopt a child than get it " Roderigo's lust for Desdemona is evident in the lines "It is silliness to live, when to live is torment " Iago merely sees Desdemona as an object, using her to gain revenge against Othello. Her own
husband Othello also rejects her, and ends up killing her, believing she has deceived him. Through these actions, Shakespeare conjures up a feeling of sympathy towards Desdemona, presenting her as loyal, devoted wife, who is unfairly punished. Shakespeare's original depiction of Desdemona, and perhaps of women in general, as an innocent, quiet, cooperative lady, is first contradicted in the court scene. Here, she goes against her father "But here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father " However, on the other hand, upon looking at Othello's and Desdemona's relationship, it can be argued that females are presented as inferior to males. Desdemona is willing to submit to Othello's authority "my heart's subdued even to the utmost pleasure of my lord "
Emilia is also presented by Shakespeare as a loyal, loving wife, seeking to please her husband. This is especially evident when she gives Iago's Desdemona's handkerchief. However, Shakespeare presented Emilia as a stronger woman than both Desdemona and Bianca. This is evident in her relationship with Iago. When Iago derides women in Act 2 Scene 1, she replies "you shall not ride my praise " The fact that she rightly "betrays" her husband in Act 5, emphasises that, unlike Iago, she, (and women), have are noble. She is murdered by her own husband, increasing the audience's sympathy towards her, and they way which women were treated.
Bianca, similarly to Desdemona, is abused by the male characters of Othello. She is always around men, and in a vulnerable position. Some may argue that Shakespeare presents Bianca as a prostitute, however, it is clear that she is far from ignoble. She is a loyal and affectionate partner of Cassio. Bianca hardly speaks throughout the play. However, it is the conversations of other characters about her, which arouses sympathy. She is falsely accused certain misdeeds by Iago, and Cassio considers her to be a "whore." Shakespeare has presented Bianca, similarly to that of Desdemona and Emilia. The audience feels sympathy towards her, as she is subject to disrespect by the male characters. Ironically, Bianca, the least powerful character, is the only women to survive. Perhaps Shakespeare suggesting that, in his time, for a lady, it would be safer to keep one's thoughts to oneself, as men were considered superior.
The female characters in Shakespeare's Othello, through their actions, words, and relationships with other characters are presented as somewhat maltreated characters, who, on some occasions, however, can stand up to men. However, in most areas of the play, the man clearly plays the dominant role, in both the house and society. Sympathy is conjured up in the audience for female's mistreatment also.
Desdemona is presented by Shakespeare in a somewhat contradictory fashion. Although she is "half the wooer", she is victimised by almost all of the male characters. Her own father Brabantio rejects her "I'd rather adopt a child than get it " Roderigo's lust for Desdemona is evident in the lines "It is silliness to live, when to live is torment " Iago merely sees Desdemona as an object, using her to gain revenge against Othello. Her own
husband Othello also rejects her, and ends up killing her, believing she has deceived him. Through these actions, Shakespeare conjures up a feeling of sympathy towards Desdemona, presenting her as loyal, devoted wife, who is unfairly punished. Shakespeare's original depiction of Desdemona, and perhaps of women in general, as an innocent, quiet, cooperative lady, is first contradicted in the court scene. Here, she goes against her father "But here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father " However, on the other hand, upon looking at Othello's and Desdemona's relationship, it can be argued that females are presented as inferior to males. Desdemona is willing to submit to Othello's authority "my heart's subdued even to the utmost pleasure of my lord "
Emilia is also presented by Shakespeare as a loyal, loving wife, seeking to please her husband. This is especially evident when she gives Iago's Desdemona's handkerchief. However, Shakespeare presented Emilia as a stronger woman than both Desdemona and Bianca. This is evident in her relationship with Iago. When Iago derides women in Act 2 Scene 1, she replies "you shall not ride my praise " The fact that she rightly "betrays" her husband in Act 5, emphasises that, unlike Iago, she, (and women), have are noble. She is murdered by her own husband, increasing the audience's sympathy towards her, and they way which women were treated.
Bianca, similarly to Desdemona, is abused by the male characters of Othello. She is always around men, and in a vulnerable position. Some may argue that Shakespeare presents Bianca as a prostitute, however, it is clear that she is far from ignoble. She is a loyal and affectionate partner of Cassio. Bianca hardly speaks throughout the play. However, it is the conversations of other characters about her, which arouses sympathy. She is falsely accused certain misdeeds by Iago, and Cassio considers her to be a "whore." Shakespeare has presented Bianca, similarly to that of Desdemona and Emilia. The audience feels sympathy towards her, as she is subject to disrespect by the male characters. Ironically, Bianca, the least powerful character, is the only women to survive. Perhaps Shakespeare suggesting that, in his time, for a lady, it would be safer to keep one's thoughts to oneself, as men were considered superior.
The female characters in Shakespeare's Othello, through their actions, words, and relationships with other characters are presented as somewhat maltreated characters, who, on some occasions, however, can stand up to men. However, in most areas of the play, the man clearly plays the dominant role, in both the house and society. Sympathy is conjured up in the audience for female's mistreatment also.