The Role of Women in Othello: A Feminist Reading There are only three women in ‘Othello’: Desdemona‚ Emilia and Bianca. The way that these women behave and conduct themselves is undeniably linked to the ideological expectations of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan society and to the patriarchal Venetian society that he creates. These notes will explore some of the ways in which the female characters are presented in the play. Women as possessions Following his hearing of Brabantio’s complaint and Othello’s
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Shakespeare gives daunting power to female characters in the classic story of "Othello". In a time where society viewed women as property whose purpose was primarily to serve and obey men‚ Shakespeare shows the rebellious strength in women throughout the scenes of "Othello". In the Elizabethan era the expectations of men and women were clear. Generally‚ men were to be the bread winner for his family and the women were meant to be mothers and housewives."Women were expected to be silent‚ chaste‚
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Shakespeare’s Othello is one such tragedy‚ a play which explores the complexity of human emotion in its many forms. The theme of jealousy plays a strong role in shaping the tragic events of the play‚ however it must be said that tragedy alone is not the cause of Othello’s downfall. Insecurity‚ manipulation and pride are several of the many themes which contribute to the disintegration of Othello’s relationship with his wife Desdemona‚ the focal plot line of the play. Othello is introduced to
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Irony is the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Throughout William Shakespeare’s play Othello the three main types of irony can be seen conveyed in numerous ways. Dramatic irony is the first where the audience understands the situation at hand but the characters do not yet understand. Situational irony is when something happens throughout the story that is incongruent to the plot. Verbal irony is when someone
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The Nature Of Evil In Othello The Nature of Evil in Othello William Shakespeare’s Othello uses different and unique techniques in his language to express the nature of evil throughout the play. Verbal twists and the characters most importantly stress the act of evil. Iago‚ most of all is portrayed as the “villain” or “protagonist in the play. Shakespeare uses this character to set the basis of evil. Each plot point is spiraled further into tragedy due to the nature of Iago and his manipulative
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ask the right questions. In William Shakespeare’s play Othello‚ Desdemona plays the role of Othello’s wife. The plot of the play results in her tragic and sudden death. However the true tragedy is that it all could have been avoided if she would have spoken up‚ asked questions‚ and used her better judgment than listen to those around her. Desdemona is very loyal to her husband Othello. She loves him‚ and lives to make him happy. When Othello suddenly becomes angry and upset with Desdemona‚ Desdemona
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cover most of the uses of "monster" throughout "Othello." However‚ the word is still used in many different ways. The connotation of the word depends upon the tone of the scene. For example‚ in the beginning‚ before any real drama develops‚ "monstrous" is used only to describe the tempestuousness of the sea. However‚ later‚ as the plot thickens and problems develop‚ the word monster begins to describe horrible acts or people. A number of times‚ Othello is referenced as a monster by both others and
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sincere and truthful. In Othello‚ this theme has its most potent and dramatic realization in the character of Iago. Iago fools everyone in the play into believing he’s honest. No one even suspects him of treachery‚ until the final act when Roderigo first realizes how badly he’s been fooled. In short‚ Iago proves that evil intentions can be masked behind a facade of honesty. The theme emerges in other characters: Brabantio is deceived by Desdemona’s reaction to Othello‚ assuming she fears him when
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However‚ while Othello was initially able to comprehend the love of others in Venice‚ his capacity to do so – in particular‚ in relation to Desdemona – rapidly declined as he begins to increasingly identify with “otherness.” This is apparent almost immediately after Iago planted the seeds of doubt in Othello. After Iago intimated that Desdemona’s potential infidelity may have been an inevitable result of his race – “though I may fear / Her will‚ recoiling to her better judgement‚ may fall to match
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Throughout our everyday life‚ many of us have most likely encountered tragedy. An example of one of them which quite often reflect to the people around me is caused the human behaviour of evil. In the play Othello‚ written by William Shakespeare‚ Iago plays a character of evil and destruction out of all the characters throughout the play‚ clearly characterising him as one as an unpleasant‚ heartless evil villain. Aiming to get whatever he wants‚ Iago performs his evil doings towards innocent characters
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