Othello Essay
Othello Essay
Emilia and Desdemona are both confined within a patriarchal power structure, and although their responses to this dynamic are different, they both ultimately die because of it. Emilia and Desdemona reside within a patriarchal society. Emilia and Desdemona both react differently toward their husbands’ actions. Both Desdemona and Emilia die as a direct result of their husbands’ authority over them.
Emilia and Desdemona live within a male-dominant society. Iago makes it apparent that women are used primarily to please the sexual fantasies of men. Iago describes women as objects or prostitutes, “You rise to play and go to bed to work.” (2.1.118). This statement proves how sexist men were during that time period; Iago is essentially saying that during the day a woman is of no purpose, but that a woman’s main use was to satisfy the sexual desires of a man. Venetian women were brainwashed into believing that they must live within the limits set by their significant other, without becoming aggravated with their mistakes. During Emilia’s speech she stated that men restrain their wives’ freedom, and that women forgive their husbands too easily for their mistakes “Throwing restrain on us…. Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace” (4.3.88-90). Men put limits on their wives, expecting them to under their rule without question, even if these limits are completely irrational. These examples are proof that women in Venice lived in a male dominated society. Emilia and Desdemona reactions towards their husband’s actions contrast. Desdemona is loyal to Othello and lives under his control. After Othello smothers Desdemona, she has the opportunity to expose Othello, but she does not take advantage of it, “Nobody; I myself. Farwell. Command me to my kind lord.” (5.2.125-126). Like many Venetian women, Desdemona is brainwashed into believing that it is her obligation to be obedient to her husband, regardless of the circumstances. Desdemona is conditioned by
Emilia and Desdemona are both confined within a patriarchal power structure, and although their responses to this dynamic are different, they both ultimately die because of it. Emilia and Desdemona reside within a patriarchal society. Emilia and Desdemona both react differently toward their husbands’ actions. Both Desdemona and Emilia die as a direct result of their husbands’ authority over them.
Emilia and Desdemona live within a male-dominant society. Iago makes it apparent that women are used primarily to please the sexual fantasies of men. Iago describes women as objects or prostitutes, “You rise to play and go to bed to work.” (2.1.118). This statement proves how sexist men were during that time period; Iago is essentially saying that during the day a woman is of no purpose, but that a woman’s main use was to satisfy the sexual desires of a man. Venetian women were brainwashed into believing that they must live within the limits set by their significant other, without becoming aggravated with their mistakes. During Emilia’s speech she stated that men restrain their wives’ freedom, and that women forgive their husbands too easily for their mistakes “Throwing restrain on us…. Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace” (4.3.88-90). Men put limits on their wives, expecting them to under their rule without question, even if these limits are completely irrational. These examples are proof that women in Venice lived in a male dominated society. Emilia and Desdemona reactions towards their husband’s actions contrast. Desdemona is loyal to Othello and lives under his control. After Othello smothers Desdemona, she has the opportunity to expose Othello, but she does not take advantage of it, “Nobody; I myself. Farwell. Command me to my kind lord.” (5.2.125-126). Like many Venetian women, Desdemona is brainwashed into believing that it is her obligation to be obedient to her husband, regardless of the circumstances. Desdemona is conditioned by