Similarities Between Othello And The Dressmaker

A well-written text is one that explores and analyses enduring values pertinent to the foundation of humanity. These texts reveal what it means to be human and how it influences one’s way of life. This is conspicuous in William Shakespeare’s tragic play, ‘Othello’ and Jocelyn Moorehouse’ film, ‘The Dressmaker’. Both texts remain significant because of their relationship with timeless values. Fabricating the responder’s awareness to the complex nature of social values, distinctly those pertaining appearance versus reality and gender. As such the concepts make close reference to values that remain significant to the core of humanity.
Appearances can be deceiving as often what appears to be real is in truth an illusion. This notion is presented in Othello as it explores how appearances and societal perceptions are often fraudulent in comparison to true. This is evident when the antagonist, Iago employs dramatic irony stating that, “Men should be what they seem”. Here, Iago is hypocritical as he is perceived to be honest by the Venetians. However, this social façade is only masking his duplicitous nature. Iago’s character is further revealed through the use of metaphor, “The Moor has already changed with my poison”. In this instance Iago is attempting to conjure up the insecurities of Othello, such as Desdemona’s fidelity and devotion to

her husband. Thus, manifesting a fear consumed man, ‘cuckold scared’ and apprehensive about his inability to control his wife sexuality. The mendacious character of Iago is a collective experience of the human race, as individuals are often faced with situations that seem real although they are later confronted with the truth.
In comparison to Othello which explores the unseen latent truths, ‘The Dressmaker’ examines how a dress may embellish a character’s façade, however is unable to mask the character’s own psyche. In the – of Molly justifying why Teddy should strip for measuring+, “Our genius here does make them look different, less like themselves and more like they want to be.” Here Molly is communicating specifically the power of a dress and its ability to present a beautiful exterior, although the inside of the townspeople is infallible. It is ironic because the protagonist, Tilly is attempting to reverse the trauma and stigmatization of her past. However, in the case of such an ignorant and uncultured society it is impossible to stop the spread of Tall-Poppy Syndrome. As the townspeople continue to criticize her for the alleged murder failing to give her merit for her talents and tenacity to return back home.
Molly further validates here argument through use of dialogue including anaphora, “Make them their dresses, make em think their classy, they’ll still hate you”.

In this instance Molly blatantly confronts Tilly with the truth, which is attempting to change characters, and their perception of her through clothes, will not be enough to deter the hatred as they are incapable of change. Such as in the case of Gertrude whom Tilly transforms outer appearance, to be perceived the way she wishes to be. Thus, the appearance and power of a dress is incapable of masking a character’s true self, a notion which is pertinent to the human

condition.
The sanctity of marriage is unusually defined in Elizabethan times, as it is subject to male dominance and objectification of women. As a female fell victim to constraint and protection enforced by their paterfamilias. As such objectify women to the possession of their father or husband. This is highlighted when Iago alerts Brabantio, Desdemona’s father through the use of hyperbole, “Awake! What ho Brabantio! Thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your daughter and your bags! Thieves, thieves!” In this instance Desdemona is degraded to that of a stolen valuable object, to the same value of his house or his bags. However, Desdemona has fallen in love and married of her own accord. This is outrageous because he is black the marriage is unlawful, unarranged and not financial settled and by default is robbery.
Later Emilia, Desdemona’s companion dares to juxtapose a man behavior comparing to a woman’s behavior stating, “But I do think it is their husband’s fault/if wives do fall…the ills we do their ills instruct us so”. Here Emelia give an insight of the reality of Elizabethan marriage, which consists of a wife being expected to follow her husband. However, if a wife is subservient to her husband supposedly unable to conduct herself without true guidance. It is the duty of the husband to not misguide her by setting a bad example. Emelia also highlights indiscrepancies within marriage, whereby there is a double standard for women to behave better than man, otherwise suffer persecution. Thus gender disparity and its relationship with the unfair treatment of women is a prevalent issue pertinent to the core of humanity.

Comparatively to the objectification of women in Othello, is the mistreatment and degrading attitude towards women in, ‘The Dressmaker’. Whereby gender disparity and societal expectations are misguided from present day. Including the acceptance of 1950s marriage which was often subject to domestic violence, a common experience of many although unspoken of. This is exhibited through Molly’s use of euphemism in the close up shot of the spontaneous interrogation of Percival Almanac, “I remember you! Your wife kept running into doors; cut lips black eyes that miraculously disappeared when you became a hunchback”. This mid-angle shot of the interrogation is a depiction of an abusive marriage with sexual overtones, which is a prevalent concern in 1950s marriage.
Councilor Pettyman’s use of medium-angle shot of the dinner table highlights the separation of roles within the marriage, whereby it is the job of Marigold to be an epiphany of domesticity and to not anything else. When Pettyman use of dialogue, “Pet…I don’t want you leaving the house”. In this instance Councilor Pettyman regards his wife, Marigold to the characteristics of a pet that requires set constrains on how to behave. Demonstrating Pettyman taking advantage of Marigold mental unhinged state by not permitting her to outstep set boundaries. Denoting that Marigold is not allowed to be an active participant in society, as may interfere with the affairs her husband, Pettyman. The predominant mistreatment and dominance of males of 1950s marriages reinforces gender disparity evident in the past, whereby the treatment of women is still a subject pertinent to the human existence.
A meritorious text is one that investigates values of enduring nature relevant to the human conditions. Exploring the concepts of past experiences embedded into the core of humanity. Each studied text explores values of appearance versus reality and gender, as such the analysis of these concepts remain significant because of their thorough exploration of values central to the core of humanity.