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The Role Of Sexism In Othello

1645 Words7 Pages

Buddha once wrote, “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think”. The world is full of selfish people, who strive to serve themselves. We struggle to reconcile that our minds are self-gratifying. Therefore, accepting the actions and decisions of others can be difficult- everyone has different motivators, different stressors, different perspectives. It’s burdensome to think about any expectations beyond our own immediate needs. How are we supposed to consider the necessities of people who are completely different than us? Subsequently, we latch on to whatever power we have and utilize it, in efforts to manipulate those around us. People in power emphasize the negative actions of the weak and impuissant, to increase the distance between …show more content…

It isn’t that Othello is free from any criticism- he is still the perpetrator of an unforgivable crime- but his behavior was driven by external forces. He wasn’t acting completely on his own volition, but rather due to the influences of Iago’s deception and manipulations. On the other hand, Iago fails to evoke any prolonged sympathy from the audience. His sexism is unacceptable and unjustified. He does not face the same limitations that Othello, Desdemona, or any oppressed person does. While it is true that he isn’t as high-ranking in the hierarchy, he doesn’t face the same systematic racism and discrimination that Othello does. Therefore, when he begins to slander women, his words cause the audience pause. He isn’t being malicious because society has subconsciously convinced him that he isn’t worthwhile, but simply because he can. He is not a good man. He, too, vocalizes his imperious opinions of women, listing all their shortcomings, and finishing the thought by saying “... players in your huswifery, and huswives in your beds” (2.1.125-126). Iago chooses to make generalizations about women, people of color, and basically all people who are different than him because he is in a position of power where these slurs or degradations are to be expected. Being a white middle-class male is, apparently, more powerful than women of higher status, or Moorish generals. Iago calmly and confidently declares all women to be lazy and whorish, and never sees the error in his ways. Why should he? To Iago, stating facts is as good as gold, if not better. Since he rarely exposes his true motivators or feelings to the public, revealing his stance on women is a brief look into this odious character’s

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