Feminism in Othello Othello is a tragic play about an angry man, Iago, who does everything in his power to destroy the life of the hero, Othello, for promoting somebody else. In the play, there are only 2 major female characters and each of these characters embodies a completely different bias about women and feminism in the Elizabethan times. Desdemona, Othello’s wife and the more traditional character, believes in putting her husband first, and that love is all the matters. Emilia, on the other hand, is Iago’s wife and one of Desdemona’s dearest friends. She is the strong feminist in the play, and believes in women’s rights and the fact that women are physically no different to men.
Women did not escape torture and punishment during this violent era - Anne Askew was put to the rack for her religious beliefs, and subsequently died, during the reign of Elizabeth's father King Henry VIII.” (William Shakespeare info) This shows that all classes were punished for their crimes, not just the lower class. The nobility could not escape punishment, however they are automatically exempt from torture but other courtiers were not. In Romeo and Juliet, violence is portrayed as universal. To portray the image of violence in the characters, Shakespeare has the Prince recite a monologue to the fighters… “...You men, you beasts, that quench the fire of your pernicious rage with purple fountains issuing from your veins, on pain of torture, from those bloody hands throw your distempered weapons to the ground and hear the sentence of your moved prince. three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, by thee, old Capulet, and Montague,
She is a fierce, independent woman who does not need any man. Her independence and headstrong attitude implies that she is having difficulties fitting in with society. Among the suitors she is “famous for [having] a scolding tongue” and would never think twice about marrying her. Instead, they are more enamoured towards her younger sister who is the exact opposite of her sister. It so happens that Petruchio is looking for a wealthy bride and does not care about her behavior.
Emilia would even sleep with another man for the entire world so she could give it to her husband. She says, “Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint ring, nor for measures of lawn, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty exhibition; but, for all the whole world – ’Ud’s pity! who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for’t” (IV.3.72-77). Emilia says how she would only commit adultery if she were given the world so Iago could rule it, not small little present.Yet, while she is trying to please her husband, she is also trying to please her mistress, Desdemona.
“What Marriage is For,” by Maggie Gallagher is in essence the conservative view and Natural Law Theory of Gay Marriage. She states dozens of times that the fundamental purpose of marriage is for a man and woman to procreate, and that a child can only be happy if brought up by his/her biological parents. Otherwise, the child would grow up in an unstable household and develop mental instability. Divorce is on the rise and motherless children are being brought up in an unhealthy environments, so, why make matters worse by permitting gay marriage? “Marriage is the fundamental, cross-cultural institution for bridging the male-female divide so that children have loving, committed mothers and fathers.” She explains that this is absolutely necessary for a child to be happy, and grow up in a normal environment.
The fundamental source of conflict, between the characters, in the play is the importance to Antigone of honouring her family versus Creon’s determination to establish his authority as King. To each, the honour received or given is highly valued and greatly defines their personalities. Antigone is very dedicated to and loving of her family, in ‘Oedipus at Colonus’ she proves her love and dedication towards her family by accompanying her father as he blindly wandered, an outcast from his kingdom. Antigone’s love for her family, no matter what their previous crimes were, makes her determined that to honour her family was the right path to take ‘...what greater honour could [she] wish?’. Antigone is so determined to honour her brother, and equally certain that her path was the correct one that she believed that the punishment she would receive would ‘...not be any pain’ and would’ve been had she ‘...left [her] mother’s son lie there unburied.’ Antigone appeared to be unafraid of death, as she believed she lived in ‘...daily torment’ due to the inherited family “curse”.
Type of Premise: Prescriptive premise Explanation: A prescriptive premise is a premise in an argument containing a value statement. (Judith Boss, 2011) 1 is a prescriptive premise because the value statement of how marriage is a bond between a man and woman is recognized by society as what a typical “American family” should be. 3 is a prescriptive premise because the value statement that marriage is not based on reproducing is true. Marriage is based on the union of two people who love each other and want to spend their lives with each other. Though having offspring is why marriage is created marriage should be based on the basis of how two people love one another.
Logos: “Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government” This particular appeal effectively allures to the logical thinking of the reader. It tells the reader that people only disagree and rebel against the government when it is about something that is very important. It also shows that because of the government being destructive it effects the safety and happiness of the women. Pathos: “In the convenant of marriage, she is compelled to promise obedience to her husband, he becoming to all intents and purposes, her master…” This appeal feeds into the emotions of the reader. Showing how women are nothing but servants to their master.
The repression of women and the suspicions of a patriarchal society lead to rebellion and hysteria. Suppression prevents female character developing. Miller portrays women as weak, it seems that he uses his own view of women and presents it in the crucible. Hale shows authority over Abigail: ‘You can not evade me Abigail’ here he expresses his control and power, Hale puts pressure onto Abigail to tell the truth; is she lies he knows that she will be believe over him because of his male dominance. The use of ‘evade’ tells Abigail that he cannot be overcome and therefore she cannot overcome god like she has taken control of the Girls.
105-106)”…any man is so very a fool to be married to hell.”(I.I. 121) The men of Pauda believed that the shrew they saw was the person Katherina wanted to be. As the story goes on it becomes evident that her shrewish behavior is a mask to cover her feelings that she does want to be married. Katherina wanted to be married for love, not for dowery. Proof of her desire to be married can be assumed in her silence when Petruchio’s talk to her father, Baptista, about taking Katherina’s hand in marriage.