Examples Of Desdemona Injustice In Othello

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In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, Desdemona faces injustice in her marriage to the Black Moor, Othello. Desdemona and Othello elope since Othello is a Moor and Desdemona’s father, a Venetian Senator, Brabantio would not allow them to get married. Desdemona is disobedient as she betrays her father to be with the love of her life, Othello. Yet, Othello does not side with Desdemona when Iago manipulates him and accuses her of adultery with the notion that she easily betrayed her father, she can easily betray him as well. During the Renaissance, a time when religion highly influenced culture, adultery was considered the worst sin of all: “more detestable, …’than homicide or plunder,’and formally deemed punishable by death” (Greenblatt 246). Many who were newly married, during the Renaissance, were expected to display their blood-stained wedding sheets outside their house to prove the virginity of the woman, yet men are not questioned at all. As the husband and male in the marriage, Othello feels as though he has the right to kill Desdemona to prevent her from committing more sins: “Think on thy sins” (Shakespeare 5.2.39). The many Renaissance rules and customs regarding how a woman should act and behave, along with Iago’s manipulation, and Desdemona’s own lust for Othello are the reasons that …show more content…

Desdemona arrives in Cyprus with Othello’s ensign, Iago, and his ensign’s wife, Emilia, awaiting Othello’s safe arrival in Cyprus. Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio, arrives first. Iago, who is desperate for Cassio’s position, improvises a plan to manipulate Othello into believing that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair after noticing how overly friendly Cassio is. Iago gets Cassio drunk and involved in a fight, damaging Cassio’s reputation and giving Othello no choice, but to demote Cassio. Iago begins his plan and suggests Cassio asks Desdemona to cajole Othello into giving him his position

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