Othello misswintlemisswintle 奥赛罗.wikispaces.pptVIP

* Brabantio is speaking literally as well as figuratively – Desdemona IS his blood; her rebellion is a rebellion of part of himself. * * Desdemona makes the first move with Othello, when she tells him that “she wished that heaven had made her such a man”. * Othello The role of women Essay topics the following notes will be handy for: The position of women in Shakespearean drama Character essays on Desdemona/Emilia/Othello/Iago Why the relationship falls apart Reputation Women in the Elizabethan period Similar to the 19th century (think back to WSS) A patriarchal society dictated women obey men Expected to be virginal and chaste because… It was through them that blood and wealth was transmitted from father to son. If your wife wasn’t faithful, how could you trust that your child really was yours? Out of control wife=husband’s reputation suffers Brabantio Brabantio believes that a daughter’s first duty should be obedience to her father Sees her elopement as a crime against this duty O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood. Brabantio Brabantio believes Desdemona has been tricked into marrying Othello Doesn’t think she is capable of making her own decisions She is abused, stolen from me and corrupted by spells and medicines. Desdemona More than capable of standing up for herself and choosing her allegiance Obvious that it must lie with her husband her duty is due to the Moor Initially, a picture of powerful womanhood Asserts her independence from patriarchy by choosing her own husband The Courtship Eagerness to hear Othello’s tales of adventure suggests that Desdemona feels constrained Neglects domestic duties in order to …with a greedy ear Devour up my discourse Look at Othello’s speech at 1.3.127 What sorts of things did Desdemona hear Othello speak of? What about Othello might Desdemona have been attracted to? The Courtship Falls in love with idea of O’s heroism and exoticism Relationship based on ideal, rather than knowledge and intimacy