I agree with the observation “Behind the women’s forgiveness in these plays is the working out of a male fantasy. Quite simply put, the fantasy is that a woman will always forgive a man no matter how terribly he wrongs her” (Shirley Nelson Garner) in relation to the relationships between Desdemona and Othello in Othello, and King Lear and Cordelia in The Tragedy of King Lear. In one play we find ourselves watching Desdemona face the raft of Othello's festering jealousy questioning the outcome of her fate as we watch Iago's plan work as Othello begins to question the authenticity of Desdemona's love for him and only him; which in return drives him to absolute madness resulting in Othello murdering Desdemona. Simultaneously, we indulge in the
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For example, Desdemona being accused of adultery in her marriage by Iago (false accuser) to Othello is an example of the play feeding into the male psychic idea about the sinfulness that lies within all women - which is why Iago is successful in painting Desdemona as a potential adulterer and why Othello has a hard time denouncing these claims which only drive him mad, because Iago is a man and man don't lie but women do - therefore causing the pattern Garner speaks on to form. However, before we move on note how Shakespeare attempts convince the audience that Iago could hold some merit in his false accusations by using the play direction, which says, “[Cassio and Desdemona stand together, conversing intimately.]”(2.1.165) - Creating a possible adulterous image in our head - found in the beginning of the play before Iago suggest to Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair which sets off his plan of manipulation. The first part of the pattern showing the "problem of trust" is what Garner argues as the first step; she says, "First the husband's or fiance's suspicion and jealousy are aroused very quickly by the merest suggestion, the slightest evidence..."(Garner 135) For example in Act 3, scene 3 lines 167-275 Iago finally decides to tell Othello that he believes that Desdemona and Cassio are romantically involved and even though Othello has no proof he has a moment after his conversation with Iago where he has a monologue suggesting that if he proves Desdemona to be the adulteror Iago says she is he will let her go forever. Still, Othello hanging on to the idea that Iago planted in his head cannot contain his emotions because when Desdemona enters and offers Othello her handkerchief - the one he gifted her might I add of valuable importance which we learn later - for his forehead after complaining it was in pain he swats the
For example, Desdemona being accused of adultery in her marriage by Iago (false accuser) to Othello is an example of the play feeding into the male psychic idea about the sinfulness that lies within all women - which is why Iago is successful in painting Desdemona as a potential adulterer and why Othello has a hard time denouncing these claims which only drive him mad, because Iago is a man and man don't lie but women do - therefore causing the pattern Garner speaks on to form. However, before we move on note how Shakespeare attempts convince the audience that Iago could hold some merit in his false accusations by using the play direction, which says, “[Cassio and Desdemona stand together, conversing intimately.]”(2.1.165) - Creating a possible adulterous image in our head - found in the beginning of the play before Iago suggest to Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair which sets off his plan of manipulation. The first part of the pattern showing the "problem of trust" is what Garner argues as the first step; she says, "First the husband's or fiance's suspicion and jealousy are aroused very quickly by the merest suggestion, the slightest evidence..."(Garner 135) For example in Act 3, scene 3 lines 167-275 Iago finally decides to tell Othello that he believes that Desdemona and Cassio are romantically involved and even though Othello has no proof he has a moment after his conversation with Iago where he has a monologue suggesting that if he proves Desdemona to be the adulteror Iago says she is he will let her go forever. Still, Othello hanging on to the idea that Iago planted in his head cannot contain his emotions because when Desdemona enters and offers Othello her handkerchief - the one he gifted her might I add of valuable importance which we learn later - for his forehead after complaining it was in pain he swats the