Comparing the plays Othello and Disgraced, we observe that each author treats the issue of gender in a similar manner. There is an apparent condescending view towards women and restrictions on their capabilities. Desdemona and Emily are expected to behave in a certain way as women in both plays, Othello and Disgraced respectively; however, these two female characters challenge these expectations throughout. Through Desdemona’s actions and behavior, she displays greater intelligence than what men expect, at her first appearance in Act 1 Scene 3. Meanwhile, Emily acts as a sexual aggressor and goes against the expected perception of modesty, and this is shown by her interactions with her husband in Scene 1. Similarly, both characters represent
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In the play Othello, it is established from the very beginning that women have little to no control when making life decisions. Roderigo notifies Brabantio of the relationship between the Moor and his daughter, Desdemona: “Your daughter (if you have not given her leave) I say again, hath made a gross revolt, tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes in an extravagant and wheeling stranger” (1.2.130-134). Briefly analyzing this line, it is said that Desdemona is rebelling against Brabantio for not respecting his authority over her. This authority from a father figure can be described to be strict and undermining as Desdemona seemingly cannot make decisions for herself to meet someone, hence she had to leave during the time when her father was unaware and asleep. Later in the play, Brabantio alerted the Senators of Venice about his daughter: “For nature so prepost’ rously to err, being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense. Sans witchcraft could not.” (1.3.63-67). Brabantio blames the fact that his kind and obedient daughter made a decision outside of his consent, on fictional drugs and magic spells. Before meeting the character, the readers are led to picture Desdemona as a woman who is hesitant and incapable of being independent. However, once Desdemona makes her first appearance in the same conversation with the Senators, her real …show more content…
Desdemona proved to her father that she was more than capable of making logical decisions independently, and Emily showed her lack of sexual modesty through her relationship with her husband. With that said, the overlapping expectation for these two plays concern gender bias in sexuality. Amir once stated: “White women have no self-respect. How can someone respect themselves when they think they have to take off their clothes to make people like them? They’re whores.” (Akhtar, 19). This is strikingly similar to Othello’s statement towards Desdemona when he believed she cheated on him: “I cry you mercy, then, I took you for that cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello.—You, mistress, that have the office opposite to Saint Peter and keep the gate of hell!” (4.2.93-95). In fact, Emily and Desdemona were both labelled as “whores” and seen as impure and deviant. This type of gender bias is still relevant in modern society as to what a woman should and should not do and how there is a double standard of men being able to be sexually open, but women cannot or else they are looked down
In the play Othello, it is established from the very beginning that women have little to no control when making life decisions. Roderigo notifies Brabantio of the relationship between the Moor and his daughter, Desdemona: “Your daughter (if you have not given her leave) I say again, hath made a gross revolt, tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes in an extravagant and wheeling stranger” (1.2.130-134). Briefly analyzing this line, it is said that Desdemona is rebelling against Brabantio for not respecting his authority over her. This authority from a father figure can be described to be strict and undermining as Desdemona seemingly cannot make decisions for herself to meet someone, hence she had to leave during the time when her father was unaware and asleep. Later in the play, Brabantio alerted the Senators of Venice about his daughter: “For nature so prepost’ rously to err, being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense. Sans witchcraft could not.” (1.3.63-67). Brabantio blames the fact that his kind and obedient daughter made a decision outside of his consent, on fictional drugs and magic spells. Before meeting the character, the readers are led to picture Desdemona as a woman who is hesitant and incapable of being independent. However, once Desdemona makes her first appearance in the same conversation with the Senators, her real …show more content…
Desdemona proved to her father that she was more than capable of making logical decisions independently, and Emily showed her lack of sexual modesty through her relationship with her husband. With that said, the overlapping expectation for these two plays concern gender bias in sexuality. Amir once stated: “White women have no self-respect. How can someone respect themselves when they think they have to take off their clothes to make people like them? They’re whores.” (Akhtar, 19). This is strikingly similar to Othello’s statement towards Desdemona when he believed she cheated on him: “I cry you mercy, then, I took you for that cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello.—You, mistress, that have the office opposite to Saint Peter and keep the gate of hell!” (4.2.93-95). In fact, Emily and Desdemona were both labelled as “whores” and seen as impure and deviant. This type of gender bias is still relevant in modern society as to what a woman should and should not do and how there is a double standard of men being able to be sexually open, but women cannot or else they are looked down