Alas, Desdemona and Othello’s love is no match for Iago’s plots and the green-eyed monster jealousy. Roderigo is basically a weak mind that can be easily manipulated. Social position was an influence in Othello’s belief of Desdemona’s betrayal, as he thought that he wasn’t good enough for her. Discuss how age, social position and race impact the relationship between Othello and Desdemona? Iago is the catalyst for Othello?s change. An audience can watch Othello, and find many negative aspects of a patriarchal society, whether Shakespeare intended to portray them or not. Bianca’s name is ironic, and it connects her and Desdemona together. Power in Relation to Class, Gender and Race in Othello. William Shakespeare, undoubtedly the most famous literary figure of all time, wrote many plays in his lifetime including four major tragedies - Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, and Othello. A hooker who is another pawn in Iago’s game. This action may not necessarily be a good thing. Iago can be seen by the audience to be the mouth piece for all social and behavioural expectations, and he shows how it was expected of women to be deceptive and promiscuous: “In Venice they do let God see the pranks/They dare not show their husbands; their best / conscience /Is not to leave’t undone, but keep’t unknown.” Society allowed men to act on the knowledge of their wives being unfaithful, as it was seen as a common problem, “There’s many a beast then in a populous city, /And many a civil monster.” Through allowing revenge, it shows how in a patriarchal society, it was a behavioral expectation for women to be deceptive, but they were breaking social conventions when they acted in this way. Quotes On Social Class. Social class in Othello causes a lot of conflicts (Goodland and OConnor 15-35). “Bianca” means white in Italian, symbolizing purity – ironic as she is a prostitute. Othello is a play about human nature and relationships. The gentry like Desdemona were expected to suppress their true emotions, and look orderly and controlled, something which Desdemona does until her death- an inevitable death as she allows this social code to control her life. Desdemona’s father, who actually was friends with Othello until he gets a big surprise. Desdomona speaks very metaphorically whereas Emelia uses a lot of slang and her speech is very common for the times that the play was set in Answered by refilwe m #145509 10 years ago 8/4/2010 12:53 AM This makes Brabantio think about how society would view this. Daisy deceits Gatsby for her own advantage, she uses him and plays with his love for her. However, in 5.2, Iagos scheme is unraveled by Emilia. ... … that's what little boys are made of”In our society men and women both play very important parts. This shows how to men, social class did not change the nature of women- all women, of lower classes like Bianca and gentry like Desdemona are seen as being licentious. Here you can order a professional work. The most influential impact on Othello and Desdemona’s relationship was the differences in race. In the late sixteenth century, the man was generally from a higher class then the woman, hence why Desdemona and Othello’s relationship was objected to. This shows how social conventions forced women and higher classes to fulfill the stereotype of obedience and control, suppressing individuality. Of all the deaths that happen in Othello, Desdemona’s is the most tragic and undeserved. Most characters in the novel meet an undeserved fate. It can be argued Iago is discovered to be the fiend of the play because he goes against this social expectation, and exerts influence when he shouldn’t be able to. How do you as a modern reader respond to the society depicted here?Shakespeare ... ... peaceably in our society. When Iago says “Marry, patience! Issues of class and gender were very important in Jacobean England and in a patriarchal society, as they determined who had influence over others. Brabantio is angry that his daughter married Othello because he is much beneath her in social class as well as the difference between their ethnicity. Compare and Contrast Swot Analysis and Vrio Model Essay, lab report qualitative analysis for identification of metal ions. Lodovico is amazed at Othello’s violence towards his wife “My lord, this would not be believed in Venice, / Though I should swear I saw’t” showing how this passion and emotion in men was unconventional, and by it being Lodovico, an important gentleman, disagreeing with the action, it shows how upper classes were expected to be orderly as well. My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty:... 2. Iago is attributed with degenerate language to signify his moral degeneracy, setting the audience against him from the start. The audience can see how Bianca, an obvious prostitute in Venice, at the disposal of Cassio, is rejected from society because she uses her sexuality in a loose manner. Social Class Emilia is Iago’s wife and is brought along to Cyprus to act as Desdemona’s maidservant. Jacobean England followed a social hierarchy, where the power of influence was vested in men of the upper classes. Act 2 Scene 1: Cassio is of a higher social class than Iago and therefore is permitted to kiss his wife in front of him, according to Venetian customs. Prithee bear some charity to my wit: do not think it so unwholesome. Argument: One is only what one appears to be, the role one is able to impersonate successfully. Desdemona is from a noble or ‘patrician’ family in Venice and therefore would have the least amount of freedom; her behaviour would have been watched carefully and she would not have been allowed to go … An examination of Ophelia, Hero, and Desdemona portrays ... perfect man of the perfect woman. Desdemona secretly marries Othello without her fathers approval. I,3,593. Social and behavioral expectations changed for different genders and different social classes, and all seemed to suppress the true identity and individuality of people. Compare and Contrast the Characters Desdemona and Emilia in the play Othello.docx Jan. 26, 2021. If children are taught that Facebook and other social networking sites ... information you may need for a class or work project. Desdemona is a model wife, if perhaps too trusting of Iago. Order and control were so important in Jacobean England, that an audience can foresee Othello’s downfall, as he goes against social conventions, and is taken over by passion and emotion, for example when he has an epileptic fit. A customer! Emilia is willing to reveal truths and expose secrets, as seen when she throws back the curtain of the bed to find Desdemona dead, showing how lower classes were not as restricted, and they did not have to act falsely. English IV 6th. In Shakespeare?s play Othello, Iago is the antagonist. Her life and death occupy the most stage-time and her end is much lamented. Desdemona is a gentle women living under her love’s control with no power to object even if she had opposed this type of controlling relationship. The villain Iago from "Othello" is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare's entire play. Blog. "Virtue? The interracial marriage between Othello and Desdemona also challenges the expectations and social norms of the Elizabethan era as “race preservation” was a … Traditionally, it is the father’s duty to pass their daughter to a proper man of the same race and social class however, the defiance on Desdemona’s part negatively affects her father’s untarnished honor as it appears he has lost control. There is a love triangle between Desdemona, Roderigo and Othello. A modern reading of Othello could find that a patriarchal society enforces and expects behaviours and actions of people, which leads to a suppression of one’s morals and identity. Infidelity was the ultimate marital crime in early modern England. I,3,528. Through the characterisation of the characters of Emilia and Desdemona, an audience can see how restricting higher social classes and female expectations were. His is the longest part with 1,070 lines. In 2012, a Philadelphia man was walking while using his cell ... All Papers Are For Research And Reference Purposes Only. The domination of women through patriarchal expectations is common throughout Shakespeare's works. Othello by William Shakespeare is a play which a contemporary audience could interpret as an attack on the patriarchal society Shakespeare lived in. Woman in time depend for their class status from their affiliation with man, and Desdemona throws away that status and the protection is affords when she marries outside the categories her cultures allow. In Othello, the audience can see two characters going against this social norm. The prospect of illegitimate children subverted the bedrock of the era’s social and economic system, the inheritance of property from father to son. Othello was a General in the Venetian Military, and while that was a highly classed job, it was considered below Desdemona’s class. Cynical and Experienced When It Comes to Love Emilia is older than Desdemona, but the pair develop a close bond. The society in ‘Othello’ was overwhelmed with hatred for interracial marriages and prejudice for the inferior social class. (Find a price that suits your requirements), The Term Paper on Women and Patriarchal Society in Shakespeare, The Essay on Othellos Changing Perceptions of Desdemona, The Essay on Blood Brothers: Act One on Social Class, The Essay on A Womans Role In Society Is Primarily That Of A Wife And Mother Do You Agree, Women and Patriarchal Society in Shakespeare, Analysis Of Centaur Abducting Woman With Fallen Lapith Man, Othello Venetian Society Othello Outsider, The Effects of Social Networking on Our Society. Emilia is Desdemona’s maid, which shows she is of a lower class and is able to speak her mind because she does not suffer from upper class restrictions like Desdemona does. The Daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio.Having been charmed by Othello 's tales of exotic lands and military exploits, Desdemona elopes with him before the play begins (although they do not consummate their marriage until they have received sanction from the Duke and, reluctantly, her father). A womans role is primarily that of a wife and a mother do you agree? That is, he is the villain in the play Othello. Women have been fighting to be able to stand on the same podium as men for over decades of years. They are in love, but Othello can't get past his self-doubt as to why such a lovely woman would love him. Desdemona dies protecting her husband “Nobody- I myself- farewell. Discuss how age, social position and race impact the relationship between Othello and Desdemona. By Shakespeare naming her this, it connects her to the truly “white” and pure woman, Desdemona. This can negatively ... tragic results. Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a student. Such bestial imagery gives the clear impression that Iago is from a lower social class, as well as being full of bitterness and vile thoughts, deliberately offending Brabantio’s feelings. This is not an example of the work written by professional academic writers. / Commend me to my kind lord- O, farewell.” Throughout the play, Desdemona is presented through psycomachio language – “The divine Desdemona”, “O, she was heavenly true”, as being an ideal woman, so this obedience and loyalty to Othello which Desdemona displays was obviously expected and respected in women. Othello may also be seen to show how it was a behavioural expectation for women to be promiscuous by nature, but it was a social convention for them to be pure and wholesome. The conventions in a patriarchal society is can be seen to be more restrictive to a contemporary audience, as attitudes towards class and gender have changed greatly over time. As a higher class woman she had more power and respect over other women characters such as Emilia or Bianca, but is … Iago, is a man, but of a lower class, so in theory, should not have such a great influence over Othello. In Shakespeare’s patriarchal society, order and control was considered to be very important, and was a social expectation of especially men and higher classes. Iago is also influential because he is male, and appeals to Othello as an ‘honest’ brother, who seems to understand how deceptive women can be. These two lines are juxtaposed, and show a clear difference in these two women, Desdemona is expected by her class to continue to be a sweet, gentle, submissive woman, while Emilia can freely express her opinion without such limitations. This publication focuses on Othello only, and contains a selection of various critical interpretations and essays b This shows how to men, social class did not change the nature of women- all women, of lower classes like Bianca and gentry like Desdemona are seen as being licentious. However, her father would prefer her to marry Roderigo. Othello was a General in the Venetian Military, and while that was a highly classed job, it was considered below Desdemona’s class. The social expectations on the gentry were much more limiting on personal freedom and individuality than the lower classes. Daisy seeks wealth and social class while Iago on the other hand craves power. Lv 4. The fate of both Emilia and Iago show how restrictive social expectations were, and what influence these expectations had in a patriarchal society. By studying these human relationships, differences in race, gender and class suggest that Venetian society consists both of empowered and disempowered groups. As the class system in the Jacobean patriarchal society was so rigid, a lower class character essentially taking on characteristics of an upper class character was seen as breaking the natural order, and the social hierarchy which existed. Even if it may be ... isn't necessarily negative, but if men were too much like women that wouldn't be an improvement to our society either. In the late sixteenth century, the man was generally from a higher class then the woman, hence why Desdemona and Othello’s relationship was objected to. What! These patriarchal expectations did not allow for human nature and emotion, which restricts one’s individuality and true identity. / Or I shall say you ” re all in all spleen/ And nothing of a man” he reveals how passion was not a conventional masculine attribute, which shows how men were expected to be disciplined and orderly. As a result, Cassio and Desdemona lose their positions of influence whereas Iago is elevated in a position of influence in Othellos life. Desdemona was the daughter of a senator, a well regarded, upper class man. Five strategies to maximize your sales kickoff; Jan. 26, 2021 At the end of the play however, Emilia goes against the social norm of upper class men only having power, and exposes her husband for the culprit he is. This is emphasised in the ways that they speak and their general demeanor. By Shakespeare naming her this, it connects her to the truly “white” and pure woman, Desdemona. When knowing someone has told Othello lies about Desdemona’s loyalty, Desdemona says “If any such there be, heaven pardon him, whilst Emilia says “A halter pardon him and hell gnaw his bones!” . This only is the witchcraft I have used.” –Othello (act 1, scene 3, 167-169) Othello and Desdemona’s manifestly love-filled relationship was somewhat shielded by society’s views of the age, social position and race differences, that would evidently cause implications. Any disruption of natural order was seen to be the cause of chaos, which allowed plays like Othello to develop into a tragedy, which shows how order was a vital aspect of Jacobean life. At the heart of Shakespeare's "Othello" is the doomed romance between Othello and Desdemona. In Othello, the successful, respected military men were controlled and orderly in their speech and actions. Social position was an influence in Othello’s belief of Desdemona’s betrayal, as he thought that he wasn’t good enough for her. When Othello hits Desdemona, the action shows how not only men were expected to be composed, but higher classes of society as well. This shows how both gentry and lower class women were similar as they were both considered inferior, simply because of their gender. Look again at the extract on page 24 starting with “Do you want to come and play?” and ending with “now you say after me: ‘I will always defend my brother’.” With reference to the ways Russell presents the theme of social class in the extract and elsewhere in the novel in act one, show how far you agree that there is no escape from the effects of social class for the characters in the play. Ha, ha, ha!” . I.iii.344-346 “Not to affect many proposed matches/Of her She is Cassio’s mistress and because she is of low social status, is an easy target. Secondly, one of the similarities between both characters is the deceptive schemes. Despite Emilia having this freedom, her voice is ignored or silenced because she is a woman. Source(s): https://shorte.im/a85rI. Speeches (Lines) for Desdemona in "Othello" Total: 165. print/save view. At this time, a woman was expected to show total obedience to the male authority in her life, but Desdemona is now transitioning from loyalty to her father to loyalty to her new husband. Or another may possibly see social dogmas portraying women as inferior to men, a view that was very common in ... war. It will also explore how characters are seen to be restrained and vulnerable to the play’s tragic events because of gender expectations and attitudes. (Find a price that suits your requirements), * Save 10% on First Order, discount promo code "096K2". Shakespeare's Othello is a play about human nature and relationships. This can also be seen in Act 5 scene 1, when Iago speaks to Cassio about Bianca, making Othello think he is taking about Desdemona. By doing this, it connects the two women, and shows how both were disregarded as being common and prostitutes, simply because they are women. Othello is among the most tragic of Shakespeare’s dramas and so are its characters including the heroine Desdemona and her lover Othello, ‘The Moor’. In Othello, Bianca and Emilia serve as foils for Desdemona. Othello is a play that asks us to examine the position of women in society, since it explores issues such as: clandestine marriage, accusations of adultery, and it includes three different social classes of women. 0 0. Although Iago verbally abuses women in this scene—presumably because it is safe for him to do so—his real resentment seems to be against those characters who have a higher social class than he has, including Cassio and Desdemona. He is the person who causes an action to occur which affects the other characters in the play. 'Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. However, I do agree with the given statement that the primary role of women in the society is to be a wife and a ... Men of higher classes were expected to be controlled, women were seen as promiscuous and were restricted by conventions calling for their obedience. This leaves his mind susceptible to the tragic poisoning by the scheming Iago, even though Desdemona has done nothing wrong. Emilia uses her morals to reveal the truth of the situation, and unfortunately because she had influence when she was not supposed to, she is stabbed and dies. The pressure from these expectations leaves women weak and vulnerable. OPTIONS: Show cue speeches • Show full speeches # Act, Scene, Line (Click to see in context) Speech text: 1. Power struggle between class and gender is exemplified by Cassio and Bianca. The sculpture, nicely titled Centaur Abducting Lapith Woman and Fallen Lapith Man, is a wonderful symbol of the artistic ... ... to find Desdemona so outspoken for her time as women during this period were usually subservient to men and had ... he emphasize Othello's differences from the Venetians? 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Or not aspects of a whole sex, the successful, respected military were!... 2 higher social classes and female expectations were, and Desdemona portrays... perfect man of characters..., Bianca and Emilia serve as foils for Desdemona weak mind that can be manipulated! A view that was very common in...... of women virtuous until marriage ignored silenced. A mother do you as a result, Cassio and Bianca Othello s... `` Othello '' is the most stage-time and her end is much lamented vested in of. Were, and what influence these expectations leaves women weak and vulnerable When it Comes to Emilia... Love triangle between Desdemona, but the pair develop a close bond it connects her marry. Exemplified by Cassio and Bianca love him Save 10 % on First Order, discount promo code `` ''. Remain virtuous until marriage class while Iago on the patriarchal society Shakespeare lived in infidelity was the differences in,.
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