Analysis of Female Characters in Shakespeare’s Othello

ANALYSIS OF FEMALE CHARACTERS IN OTHELLO In this paper I have tried to analyse the fe anthropoid tempers of Shakespe ars Othello in the unwarranted of Elizabethan Era, and status of women in 12th century, the age from which the source of Othello is taken. I have in addition discussed the status of wo existence in Christianity in Shakespe atomic number 18an times. The main purpose of this research article in the analyse the female characters of Othello that they were not contrary from the real life of Shakespeargonan times nor exotic from the women of 12th Century.Othello a minacious Moor, a warrior, won many battles, becomes a victim of jealousy and conspiracy of Roderigo. Who hates Othello not due to racial detriment just rather jealousy that Othello has won fair Desdemona (1-1) Shakespe atomic number 18s primary election source for Othello was Un Capitano moro, (A Moorish Captain), one of the One hundred short stories in the collection. Gli Hecatommithi published by the Italian, Cinthio (web) (1566-Venice). Cinthios story provides the backbone for Shakespe bes plot of land although he changed and introduced some minor characters e. Brabantio and Roderigo. In Cinthios episode Iagos motive for revenge over against Othello was that he reveld Desdemona, who out proper(ip)ly jilted his proposal. The tragedy of Othello takes place in Venice and Cypress, Iago uses Desdemona through genus genus Emilia and inflames a costly man with jealousy. In the beginning of the ferment the seed of conflict are sown when Roderigo shouts in dark at Brabantios house, the news of Desdemonas elopement that she hath do a gross revolt, Tying her duty, beauty wit and fortunes.In an spendthrift and wheeling stranger Of here and ein truthwhere Brabontio thinks that it was due to some black head game that was used by Othello, the black moor, we see that there are hints of hostility within the act as rough Othellos Moorish fountain and his differences in religion an d culture when Othello tinges his story of love before the Duke in the Venation Senate and he convinces all of them that he n forever used sorcerous or drugs. Barbantio demands that Desdemona should testify, she affirms her duty to her bugger off (I. iii) (179-180).Who gave her life and education, but asserts she has a high duty than this to Othello, as he is her husband. My Noble Father I also perceive here a divided duty To you I am bound for life and education My life and education both do learn me How to respect you your are the lord of duty I am therefore your daughter but here is my husband. (I. iii. 180-185) Desdemona is presented as a real Christian character possessing all the virtues of honour adapted woman. She respects her go, admits his love and vows to succeed her husband. She suffers more(prenominal) than any other character of the mulct.Othello also loves Desdemona from his heart in the beginning and utters it as But that I have the gentle Desdemona, I wou ld not my unhoused free condition Put into circumscription and confine For the seas worth (I. ii. 25-28) The love of Othello is corrupted by Iagos conspiracy and Othello is confine in his jealousy inflamed by handkerchief plot. His loves turns him touchy and he uses the weapon of violence against the fair Desdemona. His hate is so much for Desdemona that he says to Lodovico Ay you did wish that I would make her turns.Sir, she turns, and turns and yet go on, And turn again and she bottomland weep, sir, weep And she is obedient, as you say obedient, Very obedient. (IV. iii 252-257) frankincense Othello implies that Desdemona is available to Lodovico or to any one else, also, because she is as obedient that she can obey any one. What is the significance of handkerchief of Othello? In Othello there are two method of accountings of handkerchief, in the first Othello warms Desdemona that his handkerchief is love charm with magic in the web given to his mother by an Egyptian.In the rec ord account Othello tells Grantiano it was an antique token/ My father gave my father. Othellos two different versions make readers/audience baffle that which one is true. The fatal handkerchief is very important in the play (Andrews) In the beginning in of the play Desdemona is shown as an adventurous spirit when her husband Othello is called for military duty in Cypress, she begs to go with him and cannot think of remaining alone at home without her husband. hitherto Othello woos Desdemona by telling adventurous stories of actions and danger.She heard all these tales with Greedy ears Desdemona wishes that The leavens had made her a man like Othello (I. iii) Desdemona is very expressive just about her love for Othello she is bold and bewitching in expressing her love for Othello even before her father and the duke and she also openly announces that she will go to Cypress, which shows that she was pretty frank about her evokeual desire for her husband. Desdemona suffers much mor e than any other character of the play. She is a right natured young and beautiful lady ,and possesses all good qualities and Christian virtues.Then why she suffers so much? Shakespearean conveys the possibility that graven images deeds in the play, a work that prompts playgoers to believe that she deserves blessedness (her taking Cassios case as her own), directly leads to her death (Hunt 2004). The character of Desdemona is that if an ideal wife as Carroll Camden calls her in Iago on woman (2004). In Othello Desdemona disobeying her, back chatting with Iago (II. i), lying Othello of her death (V. ii), admiring Lodovico as a Proper mankind (IV. I) and pressing Cassios suit to Othello.It is important to promissory note that several critics have-to doe with Desdemona for violating Elizabethan or Jacobean law and propriety by denying her father and running off with the Moor (Kolin). Desdemona is one the most beautiful heroines of Shakespeare, when Brabantio arrives to stop Othe llo, he says that if it is impossible that a maid so tender, fair and adroit (I. ii 66). Would ever love a scary black man like Othello. Cassio describes her beauty That paragon description and wild fame (II. i), here he means to say that Desdemona is more beautiful than ny possible description of her beauty, more beautiful than the wildest story of any womans beauty. She is indeed the most fresh and delicate creature (II-iii-19). When Othello saw his handkerchief is Cassios hand, Iago encourages Othellos murderous mood by reminding him that Cassio gave the precious handkerchief to his whore, Bianca. Iago continues to subtly summation Othellos fury through his use of sexual innuendo as he tells Othello that Cassio has the handkerchief and implies that he has confessed to sleeping with Desdemona (Bate & Rasmussen 2009).Othello was still uncertain his unlogical language shows the breakdown of his self-control (IV-i). He falls down unconscious mind as Cassio arrives and Iago tells him that Othello has epilepsy, warning that he breaks into savage madness if woken from fit. It is interesting to note in Othello, Shakespeare uses female characters through Iago for the downfall of Othello. The conspiracies are woven with the swear out of women. All the triad woman characters of Othello and theare used against Othello. It is true that Othello is all male- world- play of Shakespeare.Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca are rejected by their male partners and all triad love their men unselfishly, even when confronted by behavior that we would deem cause for divorce at the very last. All the women are engaged to anisometric partnerships. They feel more for their self-centered men than the men are able-bodied for reciprocating. However, the women also display genuine emotions toward each other that is not reflected in any of the male characters. Besides Desdemona, Emilia is an important character, she is elder and misanthropical than Desdemona. She develops a close rela tionship with the young married Desdemona.They form a bond of relationship over husband trouble. It is interesting to note that Emilias one dishonest act towards Desdemona is the stealing of handkerchief, she did not chouse the plot of Iago, her act of stealing turns out to have devastating consequences. (IV ) alas Emilias little theft ends up causing her takeoff boosters death. Emilia realizes the importance of handkerchief and when she discovers about Iagos nuisance plot against Othello and she relives the truth. She washes the bad name of Desdemona. She also sacrifices her own life so that Desdemona wont be remembered as a whore.Iago and Emilia are married but their relationship is not based on shared understanding. Iago ever talks trash about woman in general. Emilia is eager to delight him. She steals Desdemonas handkerchief in order to please Iago. I nothing but to please his fantasy (III-iiii). She tries to gratify Iagos thirst for power and wishes without involving in to any evil designs which are in Iagos mind who would not make her husband A cockold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for. (IV-iii) Like Desdemona, Emilia craves for affection. She is very dominated like Desdemona and Bianca.It was common in the Elizabethan woman to be henpecked and devoted to male figures whether father or husband. Emilias sourness boils over in the final scene during which she says that husbands are usually to shoot when their wives cheat on them. After all, men cheat on woman all the time. Why shouldnt woman have an equal right to infidelity? Although, Shakespeare wrote Othello in the early 1600s. Emilias monologue is about as close as we find in later feminist manifesto. Third female character is that of Bianca, a Venatian courtier, who is in love with Cassio.Cassio always uses her as a laughable nuisance. Biancas character is very human and Cassio uses her for his sexual needs and treats her like a garbage. why is she presented as a prost itute in the play? when there are only three woman characters. Actually Venice was famous for prostitution and promiscuity. She is a foil to the upright and ever fatithful Desdemona. But hardhearted soldier in Othello does not cognize the difference between these women. He is easily cheated by gentle Iago that Desdemona is having extra-marital sex with Cassio.It is also very interesting that all three woman, Desdemona Emilia and Bianca, are accused at some point or another of be promiscuous Each one of these women are rejected by their male partners. It was an error of judgment on the part of Othello that he was not able to understated Iagos plot to ruin Othello. The woman, especially Desdemona, suffers most in the play. Emilia and Bianca also suffer, and Othello takes revenge and kills Iago when he comes to know about the reality. The play ends with a great loss, the death of Desdemona is the most tragic one, because she was the the sweetest innocent/that ever did lift up eye. V -ii). In the fits of jealousy Othello was blind to all love and affections of a human being, he acts like a skirt chaser when he says O, she was foul I scarce did know your, uncle there lies your niece. Whose trace indeed, these hands have newly stopped. I know this act shows horrible and given(5) Iago stabs Emilia and when Othello was told the truth of handkerchief and Iagos plot by demise Emilia. Who announces the innocence of Desdemona to Othello Moor, she was chaste she loved three cruel Moor So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true So speaking as I think, I die, I die. (Dies)Othello was almost mad after knowing the truth, he comes to know that his wife was innocent, when Gratiano enters into the bedchamber he requests him O cursed, cursed salve Whip me, ye devils From the possession of this heavenly batch Blow me about in words Roast me in sulpher dud me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire O Desdemona Dead, Desdemona Dead O ( V-II) The distortion and remorse of killing w as felt at heart by abject Othello, he stabs himself and gives a proof to world that never allow jealousy over come reason and also washes all the stains from the name of beautiful Desdemona. Othello utters his last words I kissed thee ere I killed thee No way but this (falling upon Desdemona) Killing myself, to die upon a kiss. (Dies) ( V-ii) Lodovico, a kinsman to Brabantio, asks Gratiano, Brother to Brabantio. Myself will at once aboard and to the state This heavy act with heavy heart relate (V- ii) References .Andrews, M. C. (2004). Honest Othello The Handkerchief once More. Studies in English Literature. camden, C. (n. d. ). Iago on women. Hunt, M. (2004). Shakespeares ghostlike Allusiveness. ashgate. Kolin, P. C. (n. d. ). Othellonew critical essays. Rasmussem, J. B. (2009). William shakespeare. Palgrave Macmillan.