Othello Essay

Sydney Tu
English 12 | Mr.Gango
Period 6
9 April 2018
Othello: Seeing with the Feminist Perspective
In the tragedy entitled, “Othello”, William Shakespeare entices the audience by stirring
drama and conflict among close friends, loved ones, and enemies. Othello, the Moor and general
of the Venetian army, becomes manipulated by his ensign, Iago. He provokes Othello to plot
against his own second in command, Cassio, and beloved wife, Desdemona. In doing so, Othello
becomes submerged in a violent mirage as Desdemona attempts to determine the purpose behind
her husband’s ill-actions. Her struggles to regain Cassio’s reputation and connection with her
husband can be best understood with the feminist critical lens. This perspective helps analyze the
hierarchy of power, the effects of a patriarchal society, and the inferior views towards women
throughout the play.
The story itself is mainly broken down into male dominated roles. In the Venetian city,
the Duke, the general, and second in command, to list a few, were all male figures that assumed
some control among territory or citizens. Women had more minor positions such as Emilia, who
was Desdemona’s maid/servant. She was asked to steal her dear friend’s handkerchief without
knowing the real plot her husband has in mind. Iago shortly dismisses Emilia away as he takes
ownership of the token. Feminism allows the audience to realize that the females in the story
were merely used to succumb to a bigger evil, the males’ desires.
On the other hand, Desdemona, being the daughter of a senator and a recently wedded
wife to Othello, does have some power and authority. This can be seen through her resistance to
obey her father or her ability to comfort and calm Othello as a contrasting partner. However, her
words to some extent had no longer any meaning nor had an effect on her husband’s mind.
Nearing the end of the classic, Othello confesses to Desdemona about his irrational belief that
she gave his precious handkerchief to Cassio. Desdemona refutes truthfully that she had no part
in the act, but Othello refuses to accept reality and murders her anyways. Even Emilia’s life was
taken in cold blood shortly after when she began arguing with Iago over Othello finally opening
his eyes to his slaughter. Using the feminist ideology, the audience is able to grasp that the play
not only hints at the cult of domesticity, but it also forces barriers upon Desdemona as to fulfill
her husband’s needs and nothing more. She was there when Othello needed her company, but
she was easily ignored and disposed of once Iago came into the picture. It becomes much easier
to accept that Desdemona was really in a fixed position. Her untainted truth does not surpass
Iago’s effect made up of his string of lies fed to Othello. Yet, it becomes sickening to see Othello
succumb to it as a male himself.
Moreover, the feminist perspective reveals the gender gap of the play. The story mainly
emphasizes Othello’s journey of becoming manipulated as the female characters made some
appearances only to add onto the pressure and advance the plot. For instance, there were often
soliloquies where Iago speaks of his evil plan while Othello reacts to his actions afterwards. To
illustrate, Othello goes into an epileptic state as soon as he realizes that Desdemona was involved
in “adultery”, and Iago confirms this as progress towards his scheme with an aside. The
complexity of character building for females remains minimal and stereotypical. During one
scene when Othello was set aside as a spectator, Iago talks to Cassio about his relationship with
Bianca, his jealous lover. Cassio laughs in hysteria as to show that she was more of a nuisance.
This further hints that women were definitely treated poorly throughout the play. The scene then
reverts the focus back to Othello becoming enraged, as he was thinking that Cassio was poking
fun at Desdemona instead, as to establish the importance of his dominance.
Given so, the play “Othello” does prove to be quite complicated. Being able to use a type
of critical lens, as in the feminist perspective, enables the audience to catch on to the purposes
behind character interactions and comprehend the story better. To view the world of literature
through the feminist lens, the audience can see that there seems to be always a tension among
opposite genders where one often assumes their superiority over the other. Feminist views can be
found underlying the plot as male dominance take charge to rid or mistreat women in the story,
whether through betrayal or through abuse.

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Sydney Tu

Othello: Seeing with the Feminist Perspective

throughout the play.

were merely used to succumb to a bigger evil, the males’ desires.

succumb to it as a male himself.

fun at Desdemona instead, as to establish the importance of his dominance.

whether through betrayal or through abuse.

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