Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Othello concerns the issues of racial inequality, but at its core, it also explores society's enforcement of gender roles on women and the way they are treated and act despite being forced into these roles by their male counterparts – they are forced to function in their appropriate gender roles in a society conditioned by war in order to survive. The portrayal of women divided into the categories of virgin and whore, consequently leading the two to be confused with
In many of his works, Shakespeare explores and illustrates the gender differences that appear between men and women. While Shakespeare’s Othello does just that, the two main female characters, Desdemona and Emilia, are shown in accordance with the expectations of women in Elizabethan society. The manners in which these two characters carry themselves, is undeniably linked to the attitudes they are subjected too by their male counterparts. In the play, each woman is essentially “owned” by a male
A feminist analysis of William Shakespeare's play Othello allows us to judge the different marital relationships and the treatment of women in Elizabethan England. The notions of the Elizabethan patriarchal society, the practice of privileges in these marriages, and the suppression and restriction of femininity are all exhibited through Othello’s Venetian society. According to the Elizabethan Era, women were expected only to marry and keep responsibilities of the household, justified and acceptable
Gender Roles In Othello In the Stanford Prison Experiment, it was discovered that people would readily conform to the roles they were expected to play. This also applies to gender roles as females are strongly stereotyped in society. While some women tend to conform to these norms, others fight against the socially constructed roles. Desdemona and Emilia in William Shakespeare's play Othello are two perfect examples of such feminine figures. Primarily, although Desdemona and Emilia are both loyal
William Shakespeare’s Othello is a tragedy. The story tends to focus more on the male characters, Othello and Iago. However, the two main female characters, Desdemona and Emilia, played an active role but are often overlooked as just supporting characters. This is probably due to the time period that the writing occurred. This was the Elizabethan era. Elizabethan Women were subservient to men. They were dependent on their male family members. They were even used to merge alliances with other powerful
The purpose of this paper is to determine the role of gender in Shakespeare’s play Othello. This paper argues that patriarchy and the Elizabethan and Puritan society shape the gender roles of Othello. The Puritan society asserts the dominance of men which affects the males behavior towards their wives or significant other. On the other hand, the male characters such as Othello need to maintain and establish hegemony over women which displays the patriarchal tradition during that era. The patriarchal
Does being treated poorly by men reflect the way women act? Shakespeare shows the way women are treated and how they act in the Elizabethan era in three of his brilliant plays. The power of women, which is demonstrated throughout Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and Julius Caesar, is developed through characters and dialogue, which also communicates multiple themes. The power of women, which is a common motif shown in all three plays, develops throughout the women’s dialogue. Juliet asks Romeo to “purpose
2015 The Gender Roles in Shakespeare Known as a fine interpreter of human thought and action, William Shakespeare often relied on gender roles and stereotypes to aid the audience in forming an opinion of a character or event. Since Elizabethan society made such great distinctions between the actions and feelings of men and women, it is only natural that the works from that era would also conform to those same great differences between the sexes as well. While I agree that Shakespeare's gender imagery
Othello and Desdemona, but it also plays a crucial role in plot developing and setting the atmosphere. We will see throughout the play that the handkerchief expresses the different sides the characters, allowing the audience to understand them a bit more. Although the
respected warrior who lived much of his life as a solider. His experiences as a soldier gain him respect and honor among the people of his town and also gain the admiration of many women. “I saw Othello’s visage in his mind, And to his honors and his valiant parts did I my soul and fortunes consecrate” (I.iii.252). When Desdemona said this, she knew she gave her whole life to Othello because of his honor and bravery and agreed to be a “soldier wife.” Beowulf, the protagonist, is