Comparative Essay
Role of Women in Sense and Sensibility and Othello
It is very interesting how different time periods can produce similar behaviors in women just like in Othello by William Shakespeare which was written in 1603 and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen in 1811. Despite the different time periods, the two texts have a connection with each other. Though set in different time periods, Sense and Sensibility and Othello placed the characters of the women in each text in roles that required them to act a certain way due to society’s norms and be dependent on men. The women in these two texts have portrayed such traits by acting depending on their class, and the way they are treated by men in their lives. Subsequently, the actions of the women characters shape the plot in both the texts.
To begin with, the way the women act around other people mostly depends on the society`s norms and act according to their class. Elinor of Sense and Sensibility accomplished much she stayed within her social status, married a rich guy with whom she is in love. “He is very far from being independent. What his mother really is we cannot know; but, from Fanny's occasional mention of her conduct and opinions, we have never been disposed to think her amiable; and I am very much mistaken if Edward is not himself aware that there would be many difficulties in his way, if he were to wish to marry a woman who had not either a great fortune or high rank.” (Austen.6). Elinor realizes that her marriage with Edward can ruin because of his rude family, which considers social status as more important than Edward’s happiness. Since Elinor’s not of a high rank and her status is lower than Edward’s, it is understandable that his family will vehemently disagree to their wedding. Finally, when Elinor finds out she’s getting married to Edward, she cannot hold in her emotions. When Edward tells her it was Robert who married Lucy not him and he’s here for her she’s overjoyed! “Elinor could sit it no longer. She almost ran out of the room, and as soon as the door was closed, burst into tears of joy, which at first she thought would never cease. Edward, who had till then looked anywhere, rather than at her, saw her hurry away and perhaps saw or even heard her emotion...” (Austen.348). We see that Elinor is told by Edward that it was his brother, Robert who marries Lucy Steele and that he’s here for her. Finally, Elinor is ecstatic to hear that her Edward, who has always been her love has come back which she thought would have been impossible after Edward’s engagement with Lucy. Marianne is wild, sort of reckless and she didn't follow society’s norms for a relationship. When she meets Willoughby, she thinks, "That is what I like; that is what a young man ought to be. Whatever be his pursuits, his eagerness in them should know no moderation, and leave him no sense of fatigue." (Austen. 42). Marianne judge’s quickly and she thinks Willoughby is perfect for her, like she has been waiting for Willoughby. But later on we see, her misjudgement of Willoughby causes a lot of grief for her and her family. “When a young man, be he who he will, comes and makes love to a pretty girl, and promises marriage, he has no business to fly off from his word, only because he grows poor, and a richer girl is ready to have him”. (Austen.188). Ms.Jennings, says this when she finds out that Willoughby married Miss. Grey, a rich lady, for her money and to avoid poverty, he dumps Marianne for Miss. Grey. Mrs. Jennings says that when a man promises a lady that he will marry her and loves her, he has no right to leave his word and go to another woman just because she’s rich. That’s a low thing to do. We see that because of Marianne’s misjudgment of Willoughby, she is making her family suffer with her. Then, Marianne marries her long-time admirer, Colonel Brandon, who had revealed Willoughby’s reality to Elinor which saved Marianne form less suffering. Though both Elinor and Marianne want to marry for love, their future husband should be able to support his family and marriage. The different characteristics and judgments of the two sisters, Elinor and Marianne lead to their happiness and perfect suitors for both of them. Both the sisters have to marry to stay secure financially, since women could not work back then, the women’s fate depended on the status of her husband where he stood in society or she depends on male relatives for her status. Desdemona's decision of marrying the moor impacted her life which made a large part of the society view her as an inferior. She states to her father defending her husband, “I do perceive here a divided duty. To you I am bound for life and education. My life and education both do learn me, How to respect you. You are the lord of duty. I am hitherto your daughter. 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.”(I.III.82-191). Brabantio doesn’t accept Desdemona’s marriage with Othello but Desdemona defends herself and her husband by saying that this is hard for me, I respect you and love you for giving me life, education since I am your daughter and you are my father. However, just like my mother chose you over her father, I favour the moor over you since he is now my husband and to listen to him is my duty. Conversely, we see that Brabantio is very upset by the fact that Desdemona married Othello therefore deceiving her father and marring betraying her race by marrying a man not the same colour as her. Also, since she was the senator’s daughter, she was supposed to marry someone from the upper class and with high status, but instead marries a general who is the age of her father and is a different race. Therefore, being a daughter of a senator, she has to act a certain way and do what women of high class would do. Elinor and Desdemona both marry the men they loved and they married for love and they get status and money with it. But their high priority is love and money and status are secondary. They remained within their social status. Emilia is overlooked by most of society, but personally, she has strong opinions and is an honorable person. Emilia is the servant of Desdemona, so her opinions don’t really matter since she is of low class. “Villainy, villainy, villainy! I think upon ’t, I think I smell ’t, Oh, villainy! I thought so then, I’ll kill myself for grief. Oh, villainy, villainy!” (V.II.202-205). Emilia says that upon finding out that Othello killed Desdemona because her husband told him Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio. Emilia is so distraught by the fact that poor, innocent Desdemona was killed because of a misperception; she says that she would kill herself out of grief that her mistress died due to false accusations and it was also her fault. Emilia married Iago, which raised her status since Iago was considered honorable in the eyes of the general, Othello. Emilia and Marianne are quite similar due to the fact that they judge based on what’s in front of them and their judgments cause them grief as well as everyone surrounding them. Hence, social status was a main fixation that is required to be when deciding to marry.
