Othello: A Renaissance Play on Feminism

by ram9509 (student)

International Baccalaureate World Literature

R. Farmaha

Ramandeep Farmaha

Mr. Shirbegi

ENG 2D8

20 April 2011

Othello: A Renaissance Play on Feminism

The world-renown English playwright William Shakespeare once said: “A woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not.” (Antony 5.2.270) This striking analogy of a woman being compared to the food of the gods, pure but easily corrupted, reinforces the idea that the English playwright was misogynistic and an anti-feminist. Iago’s remarks about women in Othello and Shakespeare’s above quotation about the corruption of women are two examples of misogyny in his plays. However, Shakespeare’s seemingly misogynistic remarks provoke women to fight for their rights, and are counteracted by the strong female characters in his plays. In Othello, Desdemona, Othello’s wife, is first seen when she defiantly opposes her father in order to marry her love, Othello. Desdemona continues to contradict the traditional mould of the damsel in distress when she deftly manipulates her love for Othello in order to reinstate Cassio, and argues against Iago about the role of women in society. Shakespeare elevates and empowers the roles of women in Elizabethan England through Desdemona, a proud and haughty lead female character, whose attitude towards the role of women, such as obeying their fathers and husbands and childbearing, contrasts to the social norms of the 1600’s.

Desdemona contradicts the definition of the typical woman in Elizabethan England when she stands up against her father in order to marry Othello. Desdemona’s lack of fear and apprehension towards disagreeing with her father creates the perception of a strong-willed female, contrasting with the impassive natures of both Emilia and Bianca, who both blindly support their husbands and lovers. In response to Brabantio’s inquiry about Othello’s alleged adultery, Desdemona says,

And so much duty as my mother show’d

To you, preferring you before her father,

So much I challenge I may profess

Due to the Moor my lord. (Othello 3.3.184-187)

This is a preview of the whole essay

And so much duty as my mother show’d

To you, preferring you before her father,

So much I challenge I may profess

Due to the Moor my lord. (Othello 3.3.184-187)

Shakespeare carefully constructs Desdemona as a respectful and positive figure, who manipulates her father through soft speech rather than arguing. By introducing Desdemona, the first female character in the play, with a powerful personality, Shakespeare immediately sparks an outcry among the Elizabethan audience. Shakespeare continues to capture the audience’s attention with Desdemona’s speech about the impassive role women play in men’s lives, living as a daughter and a wife, and having no say in any decisions in their lives. Through Desdemona, Shakespeare blatantly reveals how women were reduced to mere housewives in Elizabethan England, a stark contrast to Desdemona’s powerful character. Desdemona is an argument against misogynistic men who belittle women for being too passive and soft spoken in society.

Shakespeare counteracts Desdemona’s angelic personality with Iago’s misogynistic character, when Desdemona defiantly opposes Iago, who demeans women in front of Desdemona and Emilia. Desdemona and Iago have a passionate argument about the role of women in Venetian society when Iago says, “[Women] suckle fools and chronicle small beer.” In response, Desdemona cries, “O, most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband.” (Othello 2.1.157-159) Shakespeare personifies misogyny through Iago, who insults all women for being deceptive and having ulterior motives for their actions. Iago argues that the perfect woman should be someone whose sole purpose in life is to listen to her husband and raise children. Through Iago’s insults towards women, Shakespeare causes an outrage in the Elizabethan audience, as he quickly dismisses the roles of females in society as belligerent housewives. Shakespeare contrasts Iago’s blatant and rude remarks with Desdemona’s plea to stop coming to conclusions. However, Desdemona does not give into Iago’s continuous prodding, and continues to remain faithful and respectful to her husband. Women are provoked to be more liberal and assertive through Desdemona, who warns Emilia to be wary of her husband’s misogynistic tendencies. Shakespeare connects misogyny with Iago, the antagonist of the play, indirectly conveying his message of pro-feminism to the audience.

Desdemona shows her manipulative personality when she tries to convince Othello to reinstate Cassio by using her love and sexuality. Iago realizes Desdemona’s powerful nature when he first sees her go against her father’s will, and later passionately argue about the role of women in society rather than fret over her husband’s arrival in Cyprus. Iago plans to abuse Desdemona’s role in her relationship with Othello by making her innocuous pleas to reinstate Cassio seemingly have ulterior motives:

Our general’s wife is now the general. I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces. (Othello 2.3.294-297)

Through Iago’s provocations, Othello himself begins to fear that Desdemona is manipulating him through her love. Shakespeare makes Othello’s predicament a situational irony; although Othello is a general in the army, Desdemona is the “general” in their relationship. Shakespeare implies to the audience that although husbands seem to make all of the important decisions, they are simply puppets being played by their wives. Iago’s outrageous analysis of marital relationships sends a controversial message to the Elizabethan audience: women play the dominant role in marriage, rather than their male counterparts. Through Iago’s blunt speech, Shakespeare argues that women should be given more respect and authority in society, as they already make most decisions in their husband’s lives.

Female characters have played the most important roles in many of Shakespeare’s plays. In the play, Othello, Desdemona is depicted as a strong and independent woman who sacrifices her life for what she believes in. Shakespeare’s creation of positive females in his plays introduced Elizabethan society to the idea of feminism. Shakespeare strived to educate the largely illiterate public about how women have equal or greater intelligence of men and how they should be properly treated and respected in society. The misogynistic characters in his plays helped promote and bring the issue of women’s rights to light in Elizabethan England. Shakespeare has always been regarded as the greatest playwright of the English language, however, most people downplay his advocacy for women’s rights. Shakespeare’s plays have radically changed the lives of people in both Elizabethan England and today, through plays that introduced controversial ideas, such as gender equality, for the whole world to enjoy.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Othello. Glasgow: Oxford University Press, 1989. Print.

Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. Glasgow: Oxford University Press, 1994. Print.