Feminsm In Othello

The feminist interpretation is an example of an interpretation which has been formulated due to a change in context throughout history - the feminist movement throughout early 1900's, concerning the status of women. Thus the feminist reading of Othello involves analysing the way women are portrayed in the play. Seeing as though the play is set around the Elizabethan times it is to no surprise that women are portrayed as having a "lower status" than men, it is the stereotypical view of women which has existed for so many years. Obviously, during these times, men had the dominant role in society, as reflected through each and every one of the male characters existing in the play - The male duke, the male senator Brabantio, the lieutenant Cassio and the male commander Othello. The reason for this lies within the belief that women were thought to be only capable of making rash decisions, and lacked any signs of intellect or leadership skills. The feminist interpretation of Othello is observed through analysing the three female characters within the play, mainly Emilia (the typical woman servant) and Desdemona (the typical housewife). Through comparing the jobs of the men and women in this play, you can see the women of Shakespeare's time lead much less respectable careers.

The first instance where we are given an insight into the way women are portrayed in the Elizabethan society is evident in Act one, Scene three, where Brabantio speaks out against the marriage between Othello and Desdemona. Brabantio feels that the marriage between Othello and Desdemona is outrageous, because he feels that being the father; he should have the right to break up their marriage as she is bound to him "for life and education..." He is the "lord of duty". Brabantio sees his daughter as more like "property" than his own child, he feels he has the right to own her until he proposes a dowry to perhaps, a successful, white noble. His stereotypical, 16th century view of women shows us an example where women are portrayed as being incapable of making their own decisions.

Yet if we analyse this scene through looking at the character of Desdemona, it is evident that Desdemona is in fact a pure hearted, free thinker who is not afraid to speak out. She in fact, opposes her father and freely admits her love with Othello, assuring him he did not use any magic or witchcraft to gain her love -

""My noble father, you are the lord of duty, I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband...I challenge that I may profess Due to the Moor, my lord."

Desdemona however has one attribute, which is perhaps her downfall - fear and weakness. Whilst Othello is about to murder her and accuses her of adultery, Desdemona's fear of Othello's poisoned mind expresses the typical "weak" attribute of women at the time. She pleads for her innocence, appealing to his sense of pity and this scene reflects the dominance of males and their control over women at the time:

Looking at Emilia, the wife of Iago and the attendant to Desdemona, we see a totally different character: One that speaks out against injustice - an attitude that feminists during the early 20th century expressed against the rest of society (males). Emilia's cynical attitude which speaks out against the treatment of women goes against the proper "etiquette" or traditional behaviour of women, seeing as though women had no voice during these Elizabethan times. Emilia's cynical voice is expressed most evidently towards the end of the play during the climax in act 4 scene 3.

Emilia : "Tis not a year or two shows us a man.

They are all but stomachs, and