Othello is a Shakespearean tragedy with a central theme of, arguably, marriage. Whilst some critics have determined that it is the antagonist, Iago, who must be blamed for the downfall of our tragic hero (suggested by A.C. Bradley), it is easy to argue that without societies support for the marriage, that it was destined to fail.
This extract begins with Iago highlighting to Othello how it was ‘unnatural’ for Desdemona to err from her ‘proposed matches’ and to marry him instead. This highlights a stark difference between the 17th century and modern society. In early 17th century Venice, Desdemona would have expected to marry whomever her father chose for her, as was the expectation of all women. Additionally, due to the deep-rooted, unchallenged …show more content…
Whilst this play is iconic in terms of romance, it is not in terms of tragedies. Romeo and Juliet, whilst not having a traditional tragic hero, like many of Shakespeare’s greats, it has certain undoubtable parallels with Othello. Just as Desdemona and Othello, Romeo and Juliet had to marry in secret, as their relationship went against societal norms. The pressure of their secret consequently lead to a lack of communication that finally resulted in both of their suicides. Romeo and Juliet were known as ‘star-crossed lovers’, a term that could just as easily have been referring to Desdemona and Othello. Both of these Shakespearean tragedies epitomise how the approval of your society, whether it is because they were each from feuding families, or because they were in an interracial relationship, is necessary in a marriage.
Othello is undoubtedly a victim of societal pressure in his marriage to Desdemona. Whilst, indeed, it was Iago that made Othello’s jealousy surface, it was Venetian society that disrespected him, and treated him as an outsider. This gave him such insecurity that it gave him the capacity for such overwhelming
This extract begins with Iago highlighting to Othello how it was ‘unnatural’ for Desdemona to err from her ‘proposed matches’ and to marry him instead. This highlights a stark difference between the 17th century and modern society. In early 17th century Venice, Desdemona would have expected to marry whomever her father chose for her, as was the expectation of all women. Additionally, due to the deep-rooted, unchallenged …show more content…
Whilst this play is iconic in terms of romance, it is not in terms of tragedies. Romeo and Juliet, whilst not having a traditional tragic hero, like many of Shakespeare’s greats, it has certain undoubtable parallels with Othello. Just as Desdemona and Othello, Romeo and Juliet had to marry in secret, as their relationship went against societal norms. The pressure of their secret consequently lead to a lack of communication that finally resulted in both of their suicides. Romeo and Juliet were known as ‘star-crossed lovers’, a term that could just as easily have been referring to Desdemona and Othello. Both of these Shakespearean tragedies epitomise how the approval of your society, whether it is because they were each from feuding families, or because they were in an interracial relationship, is necessary in a marriage.
Othello is undoubtedly a victim of societal pressure in his marriage to Desdemona. Whilst, indeed, it was Iago that made Othello’s jealousy surface, it was Venetian society that disrespected him, and treated him as an outsider. This gave him such insecurity that it gave him the capacity for such overwhelming