The play Othello, written by William Shakespeare effectively explores the power of manipulation. The audience is taken on a revenge-filled journey, where Shakespeare encourages looking beyond appearance and reality to the underlying details. He further challenges the Elizabethan racial prejudice and gender inequality, through his revolutionary writing language. The manipulations power and resulting jealousy however, is what ultimately leads to “farewell the tranquil mind! [and] Farewell of content”.
The entirety of Othello leans on the ability of Iago to mislead, encouraging others to misinterpret what they see. The power of manipulation that the antagonist Iago possess enables him to become the master of all deception and thus controlling …show more content…
There are only three female characters featured throughout the play, who each behave and conduct themselves in conjunction with the expectations of the Shakespearian society. Within this patriarchal society, men consider women to be possessions who must remain obedient and meek. The senator, who wishes Othello and Desdemona’s marriage good luck at the start of the play, concludes with hoping Othello will “use Desdemona well”. The word ‘use’ supports this Venetian expectation of women, regardless of the intended ‘to look after’ conations. Despite their little influence, women within Othello still maintain some power, particularly Desdemona and her sexual power over Othello. Even Cassio jokingly referred to her as “our great Captain’s Captain”. This can be further seen as Othello appears to be obsessed with Desdemona’s sexuality, stating before the murder, “Thy bed, lust stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted”. The repetition of the word ‘lust’ as well as the sexual link with the bed and wedding sheets, reflect the attentions of Othello. The much stronger character, Emilia also alludes to her power and understanding of women within society. When revealing Iago’s manipulative plot, she states “Tis proper I obey him, but not now”. Thus, the role of women and their sexuality is continually referred to throughout Othello. In spite of this, without the large concept of manipulation present, the changing role and opinion of women within the society would not be so apparent. This manipulation is therefore again used to challenge the current societies views and
The entirety of Othello leans on the ability of Iago to mislead, encouraging others to misinterpret what they see. The power of manipulation that the antagonist Iago possess enables him to become the master of all deception and thus controlling …show more content…
There are only three female characters featured throughout the play, who each behave and conduct themselves in conjunction with the expectations of the Shakespearian society. Within this patriarchal society, men consider women to be possessions who must remain obedient and meek. The senator, who wishes Othello and Desdemona’s marriage good luck at the start of the play, concludes with hoping Othello will “use Desdemona well”. The word ‘use’ supports this Venetian expectation of women, regardless of the intended ‘to look after’ conations. Despite their little influence, women within Othello still maintain some power, particularly Desdemona and her sexual power over Othello. Even Cassio jokingly referred to her as “our great Captain’s Captain”. This can be further seen as Othello appears to be obsessed with Desdemona’s sexuality, stating before the murder, “Thy bed, lust stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted”. The repetition of the word ‘lust’ as well as the sexual link with the bed and wedding sheets, reflect the attentions of Othello. The much stronger character, Emilia also alludes to her power and understanding of women within society. When revealing Iago’s manipulative plot, she states “Tis proper I obey him, but not now”. Thus, the role of women and their sexuality is continually referred to throughout Othello. In spite of this, without the large concept of manipulation present, the changing role and opinion of women within the society would not be so apparent. This manipulation is therefore again used to challenge the current societies views and