Sexism in Othello Essay - 2452 Words

Othello: the Unquestionable Sexism Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello features sexism as regular fare – initially from Brabantio and Iago, and finally from Othello. Let us in this essay explore the occurrences and severity of sexism in the drama. In â€Å"Historical Differences: Misogyny and Othello† Valerie Wayne implicates Iago in sexism. He is one who is almost incapable of any other perspective on women than a sexist one: Iago’s worry that he cannot do what Desdemona asks implies that his dispraise of women was candid and easily produced, while the praise requires labour and inspiration from a source beyond himself. His insufficiency is more surprising because elsewhere in the play Iago appears as a master†¦show more content†¦. .] .† Implied in this move is the fact of a father’s assumed control over the daughter’s choice of a marriage partner. Iago’s warning to the senator follows closely: â€Å"Zounds, sir, youre robbd; for shame, put on your gown; / Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul.† This statement also implies that the father has authority over the daughter. Brabantio’s admonition to Roderigo implicitly expresses the same message: The worser welcome: I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors: In honest plainness thou hast heard me say My daughter is not for thee [. . .] . (1.1) Iago’s continuing earthy appraisals of the situation all seem to bestow upon the father the power to make decisions for the daughter. Roderigo even calls Desdemona’s action a â€Å"revolt† against paternal authority: â€Å"Your daughter, if you have not given her leave, / I say again, hath made a gross revolt [. . .] .† Upon verifying the absence of his daughter from the home, Brabantio exhorts all fathers to â€Å"trust not† their daughters, implicitly alleging a predisposition among young ladies to rebel against authority. Othello, the general and protagonist, seems initially to be totally lacking in sexism. He loves DesdemonaShow MoreRelatedSexism In Othello Analysis846 Words   |  4 PagesOthello explores the concepts of manipulation and evil through Iago, the character that is the source of evil in the play, but when analyzed closely, the reader can see that it not only is Iago the subject of evil, but Desdemona and Othello are too. Othello reinforces racism and sexism in a very subtle way; while some argue that Shakespeare undermines the racist and sexist ideas imposed on the characters by calling attention to the racism and sexism in the times, the play seems to disprove this.Read MoreEssay about A Feminist Analysis of Othello1741 Words   |  7 PagesA Feminist Analysis of Othello  Ã‚   In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello there are numerous instances of obvious sexism aimed at the three women in the drama -- Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca – and aimed at womankind generally. Let us delve into this subject in this paper. In the essay â€Å"Wit and Witchcraft: an Approach to Othello† Robert B. Heilman discusses a scene which occurs late in the play and which is sexist: When Othello summons Desdemona and dismisses Emilia, â€Å"Leave procreantsRead MoreIn many of his plays, Shakespeare demonstrates ideas of gender and racial stereotypes. Othello, a1100 Words   |  5 Pagesstereotypes. Othello, a play in which characters are judged based on sex and appearance, is an example of these stereotypes. Othello’s non-white ethnic background provides a platform for racial conflict. The characters of Desdemona and Emilia allow for sexism and gender conflict. These themes of Othello are closely related because of the similar prejudice and stereotypes. The sexism and racism in Othello allow for racist tones and ethnic conflicts. Women play an important role in Othello. 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Iago, over a period of about three days, uses these facets of humanity to turn Othello against his wife Desdemona and his friend Cassio. Othello reveals both the struggle of the British people of the early 1600s and Americans in the lateRead MoreEssay about Racism and Cultural Differences Exposed in Othello1322 Words   |  6 Pages Othello, from the onset, is shown to us a play of love and jealousy. There is however more to this play than just love and jealousy; there is underlying racism, hate, deception, pride, and even sexism between these pages. Othello is a transcendent play, one that will survive the perils of time simply because it is still relevant. Even today, over 400 years later, there are still issues of rac ism and sexism. Hate is as natural as love in humans and Othello gets right to the root of that. WeRead MoreOthello, By William Shakespeare Essay1424 Words   |  6 Pagesand often without defining lines. Can instinct alone impair our reason, or can a third deadly emotion mar all? In â€Å"Othello†, Shakespeare bids us look at some ugly facets of the human psyche and how what is beautiful and good can be twisted and destroyed in the name of self-interest and damning pride. Instinct and reason conflict in Othello in various ways; chiefly between what Othello knows to be true about Desdemona and the twisted lies Iago tells to stifle his intellect. Iago, an embittered soldierRead MorePlot and Character Analysis of Shakespeares Othello Essay760 Words   |  4 PagesOthello is one of Shakespeares classics, this play has many oddities and puzzles. It roots into love, deception and jealousy. Also it clearly questions the debate of; can different cultures inter-wind without colliding? in addition, Othello has vivid racism, sexism, manipulation and savagery within civilisation. This play is set in Venice, Italy but due to circumstances all of the characters move to Cyprus. Othello is written between 1601-1604, the level of intensity and drama obviously indicatedRead More Gender Bias in Othello Essay examples1880 Words   |  8 PagesGender Bias in Othello  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello is an unfortunate example of gender bias, of sexism which takes advantage of women. The three women characters in the drama are all, in their own ways, victims of men’s skewed attitudes regarding women. Let us delve into this topic in this essay.    Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine comment in the Introduction to Shakespeare: Othello that sexism is a big factor   in the play:    At this point in our civilizationRead MoreDesdemona Strong Woman Essay904 Words   |  4 Pageswhen Shakespeare wrote his play, men were deemed to be more able than women. Instead in Othello, Shakespeare emphasizes the strength of Desdemona despite the stereotypical views about women. Desdemona is portrayed to be more able than the women and as able as the men in the Venetian society. Unlike other women in Othello, Desdemona proves to be very strong and relentless in her beliefs and love. In Othello, Desdemona proves to be very strong and liberated. Since the beginning of the play Desdemona