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Elizabethan Lens In Othello

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Othello essay The constant flux of power dynamics, shifting between individuals, reveals the complexity of the human condition, through its strengths and weaknesses. Shakespeares play of Othello, encapsulates how desire for power, fuels exploitive behaviour. Shakespeare illuminates’ how manipulation of the spoken word, creates a false reality and highlights the power of social paradigms, presented through gender roles, through an Elizabethan lens. The manipulation of language is weaponised throughout the play, creating a false reality. Iago’s intricate crafting of language is propelled by his deceptive behaviour. His ability to fabricate perceptions through the spoken word, creates a false reality, enabling him to control his victims fate. This is evidenced through characters ironically referring to Iago as ‘Honest Iago’, oblivious to his duplicitous nature. Nevertheless, he remains in their good grace whilst achieving his own ends. To show the….duty that I bear you'/ 'I humbly do….. for too much loving you'. Through his reassuring remarks of ‘undivided loyalty’, Iago positions a false sense of trust. …show more content…

Shakespeare reflects the dehumanisation faced by women in patriarchal cultures. The metaphorical use of ‘they are all stomachs… we all but food’/they eat us hungrily…... when they are full’, implies towards derogatory treatment of women, where men are unappreciative of woman. Through the ideological expectations of Venetian society, women are perceived as possessions, objectified to lofty plans and desires by men. As the first Senator wishes Othello ‘uses Desdemona well’, the word ‘use’ connotes the expectation of women to bow to wills of their husband, whom can utilise them as they wish. The metaphorical use of ‘the purchase made, the fruits…’, describes marriage as an act of ‘purchase’, where a woman is ‘bought’ and expected to fulfil his sexual

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Shakespearean literature routinely involves commentary or criticisms on the social circumstances of Elizabethan society, often concerning the relationship between men and women. The plots of Shakespeare’s works frequently establish situations of male dominance wherein the female characters must learn to navigate. This power imbalance proves itself to be dangerous and destructive through the multitude of problems that arise within unequal relationships between male and female characters. However, when this power imbalance is struck down and a sense of equality is established, many of these problems cease to exist. This idea is especially stressed in the plays Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

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The power dynamic is highlighted by the fact that, despite the circulating rumors about Hero's alleged affair are coming from an untrustworthy source, they are nonetheless considered true due to the speaker’s gender. Misunderstanding leads to separation and public humiliation rather than the intended union of marriage, sustaining a divided urge stemming from the misguided following of male loyalty. These themes remain relevant today, as modern debates about feminism and gender equality continue to gain prominence, especially with the rise of social media and infamous creators promoting misogynistic beliefs to impressionable young men. Even in the modern era we still see new laws and policies that seek to oppress women and minority groups coming from overpowering male voices. In this context, Shakespeare portrays the effect of male insecurities and how that can lead to violence and hate speech specifically toward people they see as less than.

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Statistics show that on average, 10 percent of men who have been in a relationship have reported that they have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence by their partner while an extensive 30 percent of women have experienced the same in their past relationship (thehotline.org). With this difference, it’s easy to conclude that gender equality is still a controversial topic due to the fact that women are still being treated differently than men. These differences are very relevant in Shakespeare's work Othello and have developed into stereotypes that classify men and women today. In the text, the men such as Othello and Iago follow the common stereotypes that come with the dominance of power in their marriages. Their wives, Desdemona

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In the scene where Emilia, Desdemona, and Othello are having a conversation, Emilia says, “They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; / They eat us hungrily, and when they are full, / They belch us"(3.4.121-123). The language used by Emilia reduces women to their physical bodies and she implies that men view women as objects to satisfy their desires. “They eat us hungrily” and “They belch us” reinforces the idea of women being used by men, and when done with, discarded. The language suggests that men use women for their pleasure, as an object, and as something that pleases them. Emilia’s feminist stance goes against the idea of women being used to please men.

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The common aim of playwrights of any time or location is to capture and hold the attention of their audience; this is what Shakespeare has clearly done. The tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, is one of Shakespeare 's most renowned plays. Through construction of intriguing characters, exploration of universal themes, use of comic relief and a well-written script featuring a compelling plot, Shakespeare ensured the tragedy of Othello would hold the interest of the audience; despite being over four centuries old. It possesses so many conditions that can be accentuated to hit nerves with both a Shakespearean and modern audience. The entire plot of Othello is very much like the attitudes and methods of our modern day society.

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