The Oppression Of Women In Shakespeare's Othello

Throughout time, women have been pushed aside, treated as though they are inferior. Such a trend is thought to only exist in the past, abolished years, decades, even centuries ago. Unfortunately, it seems to be a timeless topic. Literature does an excellent job of incorporating the subservient women with their dominating male partners, both to fit the setting and to extenuate this flaw in society. In Shakespeare’s Othello, Desdemona portrays the role of a typical sixteenth century woman with respect to different men in her life, including Brabantio, Cassio, and Othello.
When Desdemona is first introduced, it is not in a positive light. Rather, Iago and Roderigo wake her father, telling him of Desdemona and Othello’s relationship. As
However, their marriage quickly gets off to a rough start, first when Brabantio finds out about the marriage and second, when Othello believes Iago’s lies and becomes jealous of Desdemona. When Desdemona stands up to her father, she publicly professes her love for and loyalty to Othello (43, 46). Then, Othello tries to convince his male counterparts that his new bride should come with him while he journeys to Venice (45). It is obvious at this point in the play that their love is mutual, and they are both taking a stance for their marriage. Once Desdemona has essentially abandoned her father for Othello, the two are supposed to begin their happy life together. Unfortunately, before too long, Iago intervenes, and plants the seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind (89). Suddenly what was previously true and unquestionable love starts to disassemble on Othello’s behalf. Desdemona is ever-true and loyal to the man she risked and continues to risk her reputation for. Without having any grounds for his accusations, Othello blames Desdemona for wrongs she never committed, all because of the rumors he is told (108). Had Othello been more trustworthy of his wife, or simply a better communicator, their marriage may have been successful after all. However, Othello continues to blame her and Desdemona does not fight because she
In each position, she is the epitome of grace and respect. In Othello, Shakespeare utilizes Desdemona to combine the ideal features of a traditional woman through her relationships with Brabantio, Cassio, and Othello, showing the lack of change in the expectations for women over several centuries. Even today, women face the pressures of society to comply to men, as well as the desires to be their own person and do things they have never been allowed to do before. The qualities that have been instilled in women for ages, such as loyalty and respect, should continue to be exercised, but the ways in which they are used should be changed to help create a gender-equal