The play Othello, by Shakespeare dives directly into the main plot beginning with a confrontation between Iago and Roderigo. Although they are squabbling what both men share in common is there hatred for Othello. They decide to work together on bringing him down by ending his marriage and killing his lieutenant, Cassio. Like many of Shakespeare’s plays the plot revolves around a relationship that seems to be headed somewhere tragic. Most of Act I discusses Othello’s wife, Desdemona, however she doesn’t actually appear until towards the end of the Act. The many male characters discuss women as being honorable and subjects to their father and then eventually the man that becomes their husband. This says a lot about how women were looked at during this time. Brabanzio, Desdemona’s father, says, “O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!” (Act I, Scene I, line 191) He is referring to his daughter getting outside of his protection and now becoming subject to another man, Othello. Later, Othello speaks about Desdemona, defending his relationship. The way he speaks about his wife saying, “I won his daughter.” (Act I, Scene 3, Line 111) mirrors the way Brabanzio talks about his daughter. It is as if they are in control of who she is with and what she does. I believe this first act sets the stage very well and shows a lot about the role of women and relationships during that time period.
I think Othello was also trying to protect his “manlihood”. No one is a fan of their marriage and Othello already has several enemies. I definitely understand and agree with what you’re saying but I also saw another level to the way Othello reacted. He wanted to make it known that he indeed won Desdemona over, instead of manipulating her into their marriage or “taking” her away from what she was “supposed” to do.
I agree with you, in this scene we are able to notice the roles of genders during this time.Shakespeare did well in elaborating for us how one of a certain gender would have reacted during this era. Kind of reminds me of how many other cultures also saw women as property instead of equal to men. “I won his daughter,” clearly does show as you said her “being subject to her father” or to any man. Although Shakespeare’s major intention probably wasn’t to focus on gender roles, but more on the issue of the relationship that came to be of Desdemona and Othello, it just helps emphasize more on the play and why the their relationship seem to be an even bigger issue then it should have. Gender roles have a huge play as does the topic of race., along with status.
I agree with the you about the gender issue you stated, and Desdemona’s father seems like manipulating Desdemona’s own life like an asset. Also, I think Brabantio is kind of discriminating Othello, otherwise he wouldn’t said Othello gets Desdemona by “Magic”. I think Othello saying that he won Desdemona is because he wants to emphasize that he didn’t use improper way to force Desdemona to be in love with him, he is not kind of villain who tries to do anything, even in a bad way, in order to get what he wants.
This is bringing up an interesting point. Right at the start of the play the issues of race, class and gender are brought up. Othello is described as a black ram and in a lower social class than Brabantio. The gender issue is a little less outspoken but is definitely present in the play. I believe the notion of women as property was a popular belief as it is present in multiple works at that time period. Even today, the phrase winning a girl over is still said.
I love the topic that you brought up because there is a lot of evidence in the play that supports your statements. As we got deeper into the play the role of women in the society becomes more evident and it is not a promising role. the fact that Desdemona’s first appearance is only when she is required to defend Othello and that during her last moment she doesn’t even get a chance to defend herself truly puts and exclamation point on the gender roles. This play demonstrates the demeaning role of women in the society which leads to a tragic ending.