Gender Roles In Shakespeare's Othello

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Throughout history, females have been treated and viewed poorly through society, which continues to occur in society today. The obligation for females to fulfill a certain gender role is not as important in society today, however it still exists and is considered to be the norm in some parts of the world. In the play Othello, by William Shakespeare, men view women as a possession, which leads to men feeling threatened by female sexuality. When women fail to adhere to their gender role, they are quickly cast aside. Through the characters of Brabantio, Othello, and Iago it is displayed how women are treated and the consequences faced when gender roles are not complied. Brabantio views Desdemonda as his possession and feels neglected when she …show more content…

These roles consist of a few of the following rules: staying loyal to husbands regardless of how one is treated, not having the freedom to express an opinion, following orders and more. When women do not obligue to these roles they face many threats and consequences. This is evident when Othello states “ I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me!” (4.1.190). Cuckold is considered to be a man who has been cheated on by his wife. The action of being cheated on is equivalent to demolishing a husbands masculinity. Othello feels threatened by Desdemonas sexuality because he has the fear of ruining his reputation. Desdemona referring to Othello as a cuckold means she is expressing her opinion which she does not have the right to do. Therefore she is indirectly facing verbal threats from Othello due to her actions, regardless of whether it is true or not. Women do not only face verbal threats when disobeying their gender roles, they suffer severe consequences such as death. This is evident when Desdemona and Emilia, are killed by their husbands for betraying them. “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men” (5.2.6). “Filth thou liest!... By heaven, I do not, I do not, gentlemen) (iago stabs Emilia)” (5.2.2332-233). Regardless of how much Desdemona tries to convince Othello that she is not cheating on him, he does not believe her. His pride and honor takes over his emotions, leading him to kill his wife, solely

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