The famous Shakespearean tragedy Othello is open to many thoughts and ideas about life in the Elizabethan era as well as modern day life with adaptations such as Othello by Andrew Davies. The most apparent notion that occurs in both versions of the drama is racism‚ which largely drives the plot of the Davies production. However‚ sexual politics also comes out to play in the texts as it sees the assignation of particular gender roles as well as the way that love is portrayed. Love is also the reason
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The Impact of Gender on Shakespeare’s Othello In the book “Gender Trouble” (1990)‚ feminist theorist Judith Butler explains “gender is not only a social construct‚ but also a kind of performance such as a show we put on‚ a costume or disguise we wear” (Butler). In other words‚ gender is a performance‚ an act‚ and costumes‚ not the main aspect of essential identity. By understanding this theory of gender as an act‚ performance‚ we can see how gender has greatly impacted the outcome of the play in
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the world. “Othello” effectively brings together critical themes of love‚ appearances‚ racism‚ jealousy and most importantly role of women in the Elizabethan era. Through the exploration of gender role in “Othello” and other plays written by Shakespeare‚ this essay will argue that literature is most successful when dealing with global issues like gender role. In "Othello"‚ the expectations for women are one the most important theme that runs throughout the play. Even though‚ "Othello" is a play
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thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father‚ and may thee.” Othello is a play written by Shakespeare that presents a gendered society in which women are inferior to men. Unmarried women are regarded as their fathers’ property‚ while when married‚ continuously have allegations made towards them due to the jealousy of their husbands. The women in Othello end up betraying their husbands‚ without actually being at fault. In Othello‚ women are always assumed as promiscuous while the men are shown
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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
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time. His plays addressed many important issues in the world. Othello is a play that successfully brings together critical themes of love‚ appearances‚ racism and jealousy and most importantly role of women in the Elizabethan era. Through the exploration of the role of women in Othello and plays written by Shakespeare‚ this essay will argue that literature is most successful when dealing with a global issues like gender role. In "Othello"‚ the expectations for women are one the most important theme
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The Role of Desdemona In Othello The Role of Desdemona in Shakespeare’s Othello The character of Desdemona represents a woman of the 17th century who surpassed the norms of sexual morality set for Venetian women of that time. When Desdemona left the house of her father‚ Brabantio‚ to wed the Moor‚ Othello‚ it was the first step in redefining her role as a woman. Desdemona‚ instead of asking her father’s permission‚ decided on her own to marry Othello. It seems as though Desdemona was breaking
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Gender and Race in Othello | In many of his works‚ William Shakespeare explores ideas of gender differences and racial tensions. Othello‚ a play whose characters are judged again and again based on appearances and outward characteristics‚ is one such work. The protagonist’s different ethnic background provides a platform for probing ideas of racial conflict. Similarly‚ the presence of well-developed yet opposing female characters adds a dimension of gender conflict and feminist views. These
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Shakespeare’s Othello challenges gender stereotypes found in other texts of the era. The one major female character at first seems to be a largely rare type of character in a tragedy‚ a strong‚ outspoken woman who also happens to be good and innocent. Her initial actions in the story are very bold‚ not only does she goes against her father by marrying Othello‚ but she also shows herself in the Venetian senate chamber to testify in support for her love of Othello and her wishes to accompany him on
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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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