Thinking about the semester’s readings, a majority of the books share a common ground. Sifting through the plots of each book, there is an emphasis on the importance of loyalty. There are numerous accounts of characters professing their loyalty to others as a sign of respect. Yet as loyal as people are there are a considerable amount of tests to prove said loyalty. The Ramayana and Othello are prime examples demonstrating the need for women to prove their loyalty. In both pieces, the loyalty of women is an importance to men, it’s a safe haven. In early scenes, the men are at ease knowing that both women are trustworthy and loyal to them. They feel comfortable having a “wing women” they can depend on. It creates a basket of security that cradles Othello’s and Rama’s fragile minds. However as both pieces advanced, the loyalty of women were questioned.
From Shakespeare’s Othello, we near the end of the play. Othello’s mind has been compromised believing his wife has been unfaithful to him. Desdemona pleads with Othello, but no voice could get to his mind. Othello decides to test her loyalty, placing her purity through the presentation of a handkerchief. From a rational standpoint a mere handkerchief should not be a medium for life or death. Unable to present the handkerchief Othello lashes out at her, “By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in ’s hand. O perjured woman, thou dost stone my heart, and mak’st me call what I intend to do a murder, which I thought a sacrifice! I saw the handkerchief.” (5.2.70-74) The need for Desdemona to prove herself should be out the window. If Othello truly loved her, Iago’s comments should not scratch his mind. Loyalty is a two way street, if there is a hint of second judgement, the entire relationship is a sham. Desdemona proves to be a faithful women unlike Othello. Othello was not loyal to his wife as he was quick to second guess her. Desdemona is not the first to be questioned of her purity, The Ramayana demonstrates a similar situation.
Nearing the end of The Ramayana, Rama displays his concerns of loyalty once he retrieves Sita from Ravana. Captured for months, Rama is quick to assume that Sita is tainted. Not only is it an insult, it is ill mannered to jump to conclusions as Sita pleads her purity. In association with Othello, it is necessary for Rama to test Sita. From a viewpoint it is degrading for the women to be in such a position and disloyal for the men to challenge women who truly love these men. “Rama explained that he had to adopt this trial in order to demonstrate Sita’s purity beyond a shadow of doubt to the whole world.” (14, 1-3) On top of having to prove her loyalty to Rama, it is necessary for her to do it in front of the whole world. Rama has some nerves to place such a task in front of Sita. Having being rescued she is immediately put on trial. Unlike Desdemona her task does not cost her her life, but taints the loyalty of Rama. In both cases, women were demoralized and put to shame in order to prove their loyalty to their husbands. As high ranking as both men are, their fragile minds are quick to jump to conclusions, demonstrating their disloyalty to their wives.
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