Othello Feminist Criticism
In the play, “Othello”, the character of Desdemona portrays a modern view of feminist criticism. Most of her words and actions support this view. In the tragedy, Desdemona is one of the most tragic characters.
The character of Desdemona is the wife of Othello, daughter of Brabantio, and Emilia’s mistress. In the beginning of the play, we learn that Othello and Desdemona secretly got married. She is pure, humble, determined, and calm. Desdemona is capable of defending herself and her marriage with Othello. In Act I, scene III, Brabantio accuses Othello of using black magic to marry her, and when Desdemona arrives, she defends the marriage to her father.
Feminist criticism focuses on relationships between genders and examines a text based on the patterns of thought, behavior, values, enfranchisement, and power in relations between and within the sexes. Throughout the play, Othello mostly shows his love for Desdemona and at the end, hate, but she never stops loving him and sticks up for herself. When you compare their relationship
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Well, not only does she stand up for herself and her marriage, she is a warrior in her own way. “Desdemona “may "seem passive" once her "self-confidence is checked" by Othello 's rejection of her "handkerchief" in the third scene of act 3” and “"it would be kinder to describe her as bewildered, out of her depth, not as defeated" (43). However, I would disagree that she "suppresses [her impulsiveness] and thus denies her own nature, almost becoming another person in the last two acts" (48), because that view of her "impulsiveness" does not do justice to Desdemona 's charitable courage in sacrificing her reputation or "honor" as a self-proclaimed suicide in order to save Othello.” (Holmer)
In the play, “Othello”, the character of Desdemona portrays a modern view of feminist criticism, her story showed a woman who fought for herself and her marriage but it wasn’t enough to save her
Relationship Between Emalia And Desdemona
1027 Words | 5 PagesDesdemona is incredulous that anyone would actually cheat on a spouse. Her naivety becomes evident as she timidly avoids more graphic phrases. Emalia explains many people do, to Desdemona’s surprise. The fact that Desdemona is so loving towards Othello makes her death more tragic. She wants to follow his every order.
Behind The Scene With Desdemona In Shakespeare's Othello
466 Words | 2 PagesBehind the Scene with Desdemona While people believe Desdemona can be portrayed in a variety of ways from a rash young woman to an independent, free-thinking woman who stands out for the time-period, I cannot wrap my head around her being anything less than a intensely independent, strong character. The film version of Othello inspired me to portray Desdemona as a strong woman with undying loyalty to her husband. Considering the film adaptation paired with the original storyline, I envision Desdemona as a fiercely strong female character. While I did not completely agree with the portrayal of Desdemona in the film, I felt it was a good foundation to start my own interpretation.
Theme Of Trust In Othello
1452 Words | 6 PagesDesdemona is a white, Venetian debutante that chooses to marry a black man, a Moor, over the wishes of her father. At the beginning of the play, merely six hours after being married, Desdemona’s father attempts to stop her from accompanying Othello on military duty. He relents when Desdemona pledges her allegiance to Othello by telling her father, “But here’s my husband, And so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my Lord”
Feminist Criticism In Othello
1360 Words | 6 PagesA Modern View of Feminist Criticism William Shakespeare 's "Othello” can be analyzed from a feminist perspective. This criticism focuses on relationships between genders, like the patterns of thoughts, behavior, values, enfranchisement, and power in relations between and within sexes. A feminist examination of the play enables us to judge the distinctive social esteems and status of women and proposes that the male-female power connections that become an integral factor in scenes of Othello impact its comprehension. I believe that the critical lens that provides modern society with the most compelling view of literature is Feminist Criticism because it analyzes distrust and disloyalty among relationships, women being treated as possessions
How Is Desdemona Submissive
486 Words | 2 PagesDesdemona is the perpetual dutiful wife to Othello, which fulfills feminist expectations of women as wives during this time period. Othello was written in the Elizabethan Era, so that means that Desdemona had to be the perfect wife that a Elizabethan wive would be. Desdemona had to obey the commands that was given to her. Desdemona can be viewed as submissive and oppressed.
Comparing Women In Othello And The Canterbury Tales
806 Words | 4 PagesThe Duke tells Othello to “use Desdemona well.” There are many points in the story where Desdemona acts submissively in the presence of men. When asking Iago to speak to Othello, wondering what to do to win him back, she falls to her knees. She was literally begging on her knees to Iago in distress about her situation with her husband. Most notably, Desdemona acts submissively right before she is killed by Othello.
Othello Character Analysis Outline
1073 Words | 5 Pages"But I do think it is their husbands' faults If wives do fall: say that they slack their duties, and pour our treasures into foreign laps, Or else break out in peevish jealousies, Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us, Or scant our former having in despite;"(4.3.90-102). The conversation between Emilia and Desdemona reveals that Emilia is beginning to see how men perceive women. Desdemona could play a role in changing Emilia view on reality, even if Desdemona doesn't realize it. Desdemona's inexperience in her relationship with Othello opens Emilia eyes when Othello goes from loving his wife to cursing her. Emilia realizes that she's in a similar position.
Literary Devices In Othello Analysis
1153 Words | 5 PagesI must weep, / But they are cruel tears: this sorrow’s heavenly; / It strikes where it doth love” (Shakespeare 5.2). Internal Conflict Othello experiences a major internal conflict here, which is sparked by the distinction between Desdemona’s appearance and what Othello accepts as her reality. He wants to kill her based on the evil he sees in her personality, but, at the same time, he is hesitant in doing this as her beauty seems to overpower her
Who Is Desdemona Guilty Of Her Own Death
677 Words | 3 PagesIn this play Othello by William Shakespeare there was a lot of displaying themes, love, loyalty, trust, hate, and jealousy. Some people may disagree or agree of Desdemona not being guilty of her own death. I think she was not guilty of her own death because she was unaware of what was happening and why Othello was acting a certain way because he would not tell her why he was acting that way. She was not taken noticed of when she would try to prove herself innocent. The women in this time were seen as weaker than men, Desdemona was not able to do anything about her death, which gave Othello more power over Desdemona.
How Is Othello An Outsider
684 Words | 3 PagesOthello’s marriage to Desdemona, a young Venetian, white woman, is seen as shocking by some characters which shows Othello as being an outsider
The Manipulation Of Desdemona In Shakespeare's Othello
278 Words | 2 PagesShakespeare's Desdemona is a Venetian beauty who enrages and disappoints her father, a Venetian senator, when she elopes with Othello, a man several years her senior. When her husband is deployed to Cyprus in the service of the Republic of Venice, Desdemona accompanies him. There, her husband is manipulated by his ensign Iago into believing she is anadulteress, and, in the last act, she is murdered by her estranged spouse. Desdemona’s assurance and confidence in the honour and strength of the love she bears for Othello, that inspires her boldness Desdemona is deeply upset by her husband's attacks but continues to assert her love. In the final act, Othello tells her that he knows she has been unfaithful, and is going to kill her.
Obedience And Loyalty In Shakespeare's Othello
1106 Words | 5 PagesShakespeare displays a world of obedience and loyalty through the women in his play, Othello. Shakespeare strongly expresses Desdemona and Emilia’s characters as women in the Elizabethan era throughout the play, as they both have entirely different views on marriage. Shakespeare also characterizes both females with contradicting personalities. Desdemona and Emilia are disguised as vulnerable against their husbands and therefore concludes that women fail to please. Shakespeare establishes Desdemona and Emilia to have complications in their relationship because of their contrasting views on marriage.
Iago's Loss Of Innocence In Othello
480 Words | 2 PagesMost people will perceive Desdemona as the victim but, her ambition to help Cassio, builds her characteristic into the military sphere. Her purpose to fix the friendship between Othello and Cassio derives from Shakespeare symbolically placing her into a role of Venetian
Othello Gender Analysis
171 Words | 1 PagesEach of the women in Othello represent the different tiers of the social structure at that time. Desdemona represents the upper class because her father is a senator and very wealthy. She was automatically born into the lavish lifestyle. She wears the finest clothes and eats the finest food. She has a handmaiden that helps her get dressed and follows her everywhere.
Gender Differences In Othello
763 Words | 4 PagesAs Brabantio 's unmarried daughter, Desdemona is basically believed her father 's property. As she 's wedded Othello lacking dad 's consent, Iago thinks that Othello has stolen her from
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