Othello Feminist Analysis

Gloria Steinem once said, “Men should think twice before making widowhood women’s only path to power.” In other words, Gloria Steinem simply meant that in a society that have hindered women from realizing their true essence and their power that they hold equal to men, a man’s death should not be the only reason why society view women as equal and powerful as a man. People all over the world and throughout history have proven this quote to be true due to the fact that in modern society feminism was established in which women have been granted equality even without the death of a man being the solely reason. Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing and defending equal political, economic and social rights …show more content…
Throughout the play, Shakespeare utilizes the literary element, characterization, to demonstrate the expectations of the Elizabethan patriarchal society, patriarchal marriages, and the suppression and restriction of feminism. Desdemona, Bianca, and Emilia are the three women in Othello characterized as possession, submissive, prostitutes, temptresses, and powerful. “What conjuration and what mighty magic, for such proceeding I am charged withal, I won his daughter.” In this quote, Othello is referring to Desdemona as some sort of object or trophy that he won as if he was in competition with another individual. Shakespeare uses the quote “Her name that was as fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face.” to show how Desdemona’s infidelity ruined her image, but more so ever devalued Othello’s name, honor, and pride. Both quotes help portray the idea that men domination over women affected how women were treated, perceived, and