Sexism in Othello Essay -- Othello essays

Othello the Unquestionable Sexism Shakespe atomic number 18s 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 Historical Differences Misogyny and Othello Valerie Wayne implicates Iago in sexism. He is one who is almost incapable of every other perspective on women than a sexist one Iagos worry that he cannot do what Desdemona asks implies that his dis evaluate 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 rhetorician, entirely as Bloch explains, the misogynistic writer uses rhetoric as a means of renouncing it, and, by extension, woman. (163) Even the noble general yielded to the sexist remarks and insinuations of his ancient, thus developing a lamentable attitude toward his lovely and faithful wife. Angela Pitt in Women in Shakespeares Tragedies comments on the Moors sexist treatment of Desdemona Desdemona has, therefore, some quite serious faults as a wife, including a will of her own, which was evident even before she was married. This does not mean that she merits the terrible accusations flung at her by Othello, nor does she in any way merit her death, but she is partly responsible for the tragic action of the play. Othellos behavior and mounting jealousy are made more comprehensible if we remember what Elizabethan husbands might expect of their wives. (45) In the opening scene, while Iago is expressing his hatred for the general Othello for his selection... ...reason to the same extent, or even greater than, men and that men are passion-driven moreso than are women. The tables are turned on sexism at the very climax of the drama WORKS CITED Jorgensen, Paul A. William Shakespeare The Tragedies. Boston Twayne Publishers, 1985. Pit t, Angela. Women in Shakespeares Tragedies. Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Shakespeares Women. N.p. n.p., 1981. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Wayne, Valerie. Historical Differences Misogyny and Othello. The Matter of Difference Materialist Feminist Criticism of Shakespeare. Ed Valerie Wayne. Ithaca, NY Cornell University Press, 1991.