Preview

Unjust Standards Of Women In Othello

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
858 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Unjust Standards Of Women In Othello
While the role of women in society is a very controversial topic, we can all agree that the theme of “a perfect wife” is one that goes back centuries, but over time it has changed a great deal. During William Shakespeare's time, also known as the 16th century, women did not have the same freedoms they do today. The “perfect wife” was one who was soft-spoken, obedient, and knew that their main purpose in life was to serve men. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Shakespeare criticizes the unjust standards that were set for women, and their devotion and perceived inferiority to men. Shakespeare shows the unjust standards for women through Desdemona, who is considered “the perfect wife”. Desdemona is a soft-spoken and obedient Venetian beauty who understands that her purpose is to serve the men in her life. When Desdemona is not devoted to serving her father anymore, she is now obedient to Othello, which leaves her with little time to do anything else, but she gladly accepts it. For example, after Othello yells and Desdemona and slaps her, she still replies with the submissive “My lord?” (4,1,81) when he calls her back. This shows that no matter what the circumstances, a perfect wife during this time knew it was her duty to remain firm in her love for her husband. After this, Desdemona tries to figure …show more content…
Shakespeare, along with his audience, understand the unjust roles of women at this time. This theme throughout the book is hinting at feminism, which is a major topic of our current society. In modern society, we know that men and women are equals and they deserve the same rights and freedoms, but this was an absurd thought in Shakespeare’s time. The role of women has come a long way since Shakespeare’s time, but it will always be a topic of
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gender Differences In Othello
    • 297 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Gender Differences In Othello

    First, a reader must understand the way gender was understood in Shakespeare’s time. “If we are going to insist in understanding the Elizabethan dramatic artifice, let us also insist in examining Othello according to the traditional values which Shakespeare has injected implicitly and explicitly into the play (Kirschbaum, 284).” This quote given by another author shows the importance of understanding the original texts. The original text, while maybe outdated, is still vital in understanding the culture and history behind the play. A student must understand the implications that Shakespeare originally intended to be understood by the audience. There are three main characters in the play. These women are Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca. These women all show true, strong affection to the main men in their lives.…

    • 297 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    analysis of gender roles in macbeth
    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages

    analysis of gender roles in macbeth

    In many cultures, such as European in society, women are perceived as the primary caretaker of the home among other oppressive notions that pertain to them. They were in charge of organizing social events, maintaining the family’s reputation, cooking, and cleaning occasionally with assistance from their children. They were considered to be of less value than their male counterparts and, thus, were not permitted the opportunity to have a role in politics, religion, and society. Since the time of Shakespeare, the majority of gender inequities in society have been abolished, and a new era of complete equality is on the horizon. However, there are barriers of ignorance, whose sole purpose is to hinder progression, that people have yet to break. Women have made efforts to gain equality in society since the 1800’s as seen by the writer and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, the first great feminist treatise. It listed and discussed her grievances concerning gender inequality and had a total influence on the art of travel writing as well as the Romantic Movement. A sign of this progress in society, other than women’s introduction into several facets of society (i.e. entertainment, business, politics, etc.), is the adoption of gender role reversal, partly due to its comedic portrayal in television but also its necessity in some homes. As expected, there were some who were more conservative towards gender equality such as, William Shakespeare which was seen in his gruesome play, Macbeth that used this idea of general role reversal to oppose this idea.…

    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Henry V And St Joan Gender
    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Henry V And St Joan Gender

    Reading shakespeare in the modern area has proven to be quite a challenge. There have been many websites created for students and other people to understand the text. The old english has lost its touch but the meaning is still the same. Taking a closer look at how shakespeare gets his meaning across one can find many surprising views, such as gender can change the way people view others. This point was widely seen throughout two of Shakespeare's plays. In the plays Henry V and St Joan written by shakespeare both portray gender and class critical lenses and pathos rhetorical strategies.…

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    midsummer nights dream &chocolat
    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages

    midsummer nights dream &chocolat

    Both texts use characters to signify the role of women in society and the struggles of overcoming patriarchy and strict moral code in a sustained society. Each composer’s purpose was to bring forward a response to the role of women to be submissive, silent and subordinate. This is revealed in the opening scenes of Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The opening of the play depicts a harsh, patriarchal society that contributes to the shaping of the role of women as well as the surrounding society’s identity. This is clearly explored throughout the juxtaposition of both the mortal and fairy world where Shakespeare makes it evident that the patriarchal hierarchy is a key element that dominates the freedom over women. A strong representation of this is in Act 1, Scene 1, where a resonant voice from the Duke, Theseus empowers…

    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Othello and a Discourse of Marriage and Wiving
    • 1078 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Othello and a Discourse of Marriage and Wiving

    In Othello, Shakespeare adheres to some of but ignores some of the rules set from A Discourse of Marriage and Wiving, while he creates conflicts in Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. While everything starts out great with Othello’s marriage to Desdemona, things slowly unravel when Iago, the villain of the play, begins to fill the heads of his ‘friends’ with lies. Othello is boastful of the beauty and gentleness of his wife, causing the work for Iago to be minimal. Othello allows his sweet Desdemona to be around his friends more often than he should and by doing this Iago finds it that much easier to make his plan fall in place. Othello grows very jealous as Iago fills his head with lies of his sweet Desdemona and from there everything goes spiraling downward into an awful fate.…

    • 1078 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    "Othello": Women Breaking Through Societal Roles
    • 2956 Words
    • 9 Pages

    "Othello": Women Breaking Through Societal Roles

    Desdemona is one of the many characters whose attitude evolves throughout the play. She begins the play by speaking out against her father, which was generally unacceptable, and ends they play exhibiting blind obedience to her husband's wishes, which results in her death. Desdemona is the wife of a noble warrior and daughter of a senator, Brabantio, who calls her "...a maid so tender, fair, and happy.../ [one of] the wealthy curled darlings of our nation..." (1.2.85-87) There is much expected of her "wealthy", elevated class of nobility. Women of the highest class were expected to be beautiful ("fair"), and "never proud". They had to "have tongue at will", but never speak too much, and when they were angry, they were not allowed to take revenge on their enemies. They were expected to be able to think for themselves, but "ne'er disclose her mind", and not pay attention to any courtship besides that of their husbands (2.1.163-172). This is all, however, according to Iago, Emilia's husband, so it is what men expected from their women, and they expect many things, including loyalty.…

    • 2956 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Patriarchy in Romeo and Juliet
    • 1718 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Patriarchy in Romeo and Juliet

    In a patriarchal society, women are expected to conform to social restrictions by demonstrating reverence and obedience to the males in their lives. Shakespeare's tragic play, Romeo and Juliet, explores the effects of patriarchal authority exerted over women and how the patriarchal structure left no escape from it, save death. Through Juliet, Lady Capulet, and the Nurse, Shakespeare establishes a common understanding of this type of society, but illuminates three different reactions to the social oppression by portraying the responses of a passionate lover, an idyllic housewife, and an attendant.…

    • 1718 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women's Role In Othello
    • 930 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Women's Role In Othello

    Likewise, "Romeo and Juliet" is also based around the ideas of woman being possessions of men in the family. As Juliet had to marry whom her father chooses for and she shall obey his command. Sadly, her father's wills were against her love for Romeo, this ended the play in great tragedy. Reputation of woman was equally as important as her obedience, if not more. According to “the globe”, “each woman takes these accusation extremely seriously, reflecting the impact such an accusation upon a woman’s social standing.” In "Othello," Desdemona appeared to be untrustworthy and unfaithful, which Iago falsely manipulated. Othello then quickly lost all his trust in her and turn against her love. Unfortunately, Ophelia a female character from "Hamlet" faced a similar problem to both Juliet and Desdemona. She was obedience to her father, but her false reputation has a significant effect on her life. Ophelia was pure and innocent. However, that was not how she was perceived. Comparable to Desdemona, the man she loves also turn against her due to her untrustworthy perception. In Shakespearean time woman were usually known as dishonest as well as being treated inferior to men, This still remain a problem in our present day society to a certain…

    • 930 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Discrimination In Othello
    • 137 Words
    • 1 Page

    Theme Of Discrimination In Othello

    Ideas of discrimination and racism have also been reflected within the play through the characterisation of Othello. Described as having “thick lips” and a darker skin tone, the protagonist experiences a sense of isolation from society due to his evident difference in physical appearance.. By demonstrating ideas of separation in the play, the reader is poised to read it as a text that incorporates strong ideas of discrimination, both evident during Shakespeare’s time and our current society. This discriminating prejudice leads to the deterioration of Othello’s confidence, where he states ‘for I am black’and ‘unworthy of love’. Ideas of discrimination and racism becomes particularly apparent when Iago constantly addresses Othello as ‘The Moor’…

    • 137 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Othello Feminist Analysis
    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Othello Feminist Analysis

    Finally, near the end of the play, Emilia realizes “we must think men are not gods” (3.4.144). Although she knows her correct role in society in order to be accepted, she has come to see the lack of equality between men and women. She understands that in order to be presented to society, they must put on an act for their husbands. They do not need to think of them as gods, but must treat them as they are. She now believes that a woman being referred to as “whore” (4.3.74) is not tolerable. When something goes wrong, the men should not have the power to put the blame on the women. Emilia comes to this realization when she speaks her mind to Desdemona and says “But I do think it is their husbands’ faults / If wives do fall” (4.3.87-88). This is foreshadowing the fate of both woman’s lives in the play. They both die by “faults” of their husbands. “The ultimate irony in the play’s representation of male-female relations is the fact that two women accused by their husbands of “falling” morally, actually fall not morally but physically, before [their] eyes” (Vanita 352). In a…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is The Unprotectedness Of Women In Othello
    • 864 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What Is The Unprotectedness Of Women In Othello

    Ruth Vanita, the author of “Proper” Men and “Fallen” Women: The Unprotectedness of Wives in Othello, explains how Elizabethan and Jacobean writers included the murder of an adulterous wife by her husband in a majority of their plays. She attempts to prove that Desdemona and Emilia both died as victims of spousal abuse due to their alleged infidelity. According to the accepted social norms, both Desdemona and Emilia deserved their murders because of their infidelity to their husbands. Emilia betrayed Iago by blatantly defying him in order to prove Desdemona’s innocence; while Desdemona, although always faithful, betrayed Othello through her supposed infidelity with Cassio. Since men regarded their wives as property, they had to discipline them and could resort to violence in order to teach them a lesson.…

    • 864 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Shakespeare Present Gender In Macbeth
    • 555 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Shakespeare Present Gender In Macbeth

    Gender is a prominent theme in Shakespeare’s plays and often, gender is used as a tool of manipulation and persuasion. During the time of Shakespeare, there were distinct traits and roles of men and women. In Elizabethan times, women were perceived ruled by their emotions and therefore irrational. In contrast, men were ruled by reason and were stalwart. By blurring the lines of gender in his plays, Shakespeare deconstructs these norms to display their ambiguity. This confusion of gender roles is prominently exhibited in Macbeth. Shakespeare uses the motif of gender roles in order…

    • 555 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Stereotypes In Othello
    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Examples Of Stereotypes In Othello

    One of the main stereotypes seen is submission. Women are still submissive to their husbands then and now. At the beginning, Desdemona appears to be a strong, free willed, independent woman. Iago calls Desdemona out on her unusual female behavior, and Othello starts to notice it as well .Desdemona’s un-lady like behavior affects her, her relationship with Othello, and Cassio. At first Othello admired the way Desdemona behaved. Othello was reading the letter from the duke telling him to return home. Lodovico ask Desdemona how Cassio has been doing. Desdemona explains how Othello and Cassio had an argument, and she hopes they can work things out because she…

    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women in Shakespeare
    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Women in Shakespeare

    The women presented in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth have challenged the cultural values and assumptions of the role, rights and power of women during the Elizabethan period. The typical role of Elizabethan women of looking after the household and handling the kids is contradicted; the rights of Elizabethan women are defied; and the power of Elizabethan women in the household and the society is taken to new extents. The role, rights and power of Elizabethan women is confronted upon with the use of the female characters in the play Macbeth as well as the various language techniques used throughout the play.…

    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Treatment Of Women In Othello
    • 1710 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Treatment Of Women In Othello

    Alternatively Desdemona is revealed to be the ideal woman, Cassio even admits“She is indeed perfection.” Othello often makes remarks on her beauty and her wit. Even when he thinks she has betrayed him, he cannot help himself from looking upon her fondly even stating that she is “so delicate with her needle: an admirable musician: O! she will sing the savageness out of a bear: of so high and plenteous wit and invention:—“ despite Desdemona’s perfection Othello lets himself be manipulated into thinking she is unfaithful to him, and he kills her. Emilia, while not as perfect as Desdemona appears to be an obedient wife to Iago. She even gives him Desdemona’s handkerchief without knowing the reason he wants it, when stealing the handkerchief she says “what he will do with it Heaven knows, not I; I nothing but to please his fantasy.” In the end of the play however, she chooses to honour Desdemona and she exposes her husband's treachery as opposed to supporting it. Iago kills her due to this one moment of disobedience. Through the killing of Emilia and Desdemona at the hands of their husbands and the fact that Bianca lives, Shakespeare reveals what he thinks of the relationships husbands have with their wives. He is exhibiting how women are never good enough for their husbands. Desdemona and Emilia are honest women, but in Desdemona’s case Othello believes she is having an affair and to him this is inexcusable. Emilia is killed because Iago sees it as a fit punishment for her disobedience and her lack of support of his dishonesty. Bianca on the other hand has no husband and thus she appears to follow no rules but her own and suffers no dire consequences because she has no one ruling over her. Shakespeare is showcasing the oppression that husbands had over their wives. On top of that Shakespeare is suggesting…

    • 1710 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics