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Women in Shakespeare's plays
Women in Shakespeare's plays
Women in Shakespeare's plays
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The role of the women in Othello has exceptionally changed from 1603 to today. Women now have more rights than what they were offered in the 1600s. During the duration of this play, the prominent group of people are the men. The men believe they own women as their property, even the father’s own them. Women not supposed to cheat on men but men may have an unlimited number of mistresses and wives. The women in the play, Desdemona, Bianca, and Emilia, have known of this treatment and even talk of such. But, the women are still faithful and loyal to their husband, and if they were to be disloyal, there would be serious consequences. There are many examples of the specific gender roles throughout this play that describe the treatment women received during the 1600s and so on. Women are submissive and are often referred to as possessions in the play. Shakespeare has given each of these characters a role to play as a victim, as in a woman, or a dominant male.
This is different with the men in the play. When Emilia and Desdemona are having a conversation about cheating, Desdemona does not understand why any woman would do such a thing as cheat on their husbands. Differentiated from the women, men easily trust the word of another man. This is often shown in Iago and Othello. Throughout the play, Iago is planning revenge against Othello. Since Othello considers Iago as an honest and wise man he believes Iago when he says Desdemona has cheated on him with Cassio. This is important in the play because Shakespeare informs the audience of how men were dominated over the women and if the women seemed the slightest bit of unfaithful, even if this information is coming from a man, the husband still believes the man rather than his wife. Othello never thought to ask Desdemona if she were unfaithful to him, his jealousy wins the best of him so he believed that all Iago states is
...is the only issue that they have to worry about. When a patient is able to walk for a specific period of time without pain then they can jog for the other 50% of the time. Progressing on through activities that require more strength for pushing off running is the next activity that is tested. Eventually a person can walk backwards and do patterned running such as figure 8’s, S’s and Z’s. Sports oriented rehab for ankles requires a little longer recovery time because their ankle must stand up to the forces that their sport demands. Such activities must take place under a trainer, coach, or physical therapist that is familiar with the sport. Activities whether they be every day or in a sport can be accompanied by ankle braces every often to add strength to the joint until strength is built up completely.
In the novel Othello, written by William Shakespeare, there are a variety of ways in which women are portrayed. There are strong willed women such as Emilia, who stands up to the men, especially to her husband. If he is wrong she would openly admit that he is incorrect. There are also women who are thought to be a possession as well as extremely submissive to their husbands such as Desdemona. She is the type of woman that will obey her husband to the day she dies. Desdemona believes that her husband is always right and he will never do anything that will lead her into the wrong direction. Many of the women in this time thought the same way. They are viewed as house workers, cooks, and teachers to the children. In addition to those qualities women obtain, having no authority in marriages is also added to the list. In this novel, there is judgment against women because they are “unequal” to men. They are not allowed to do the same as men for the reason that they do not possess the same qualities as men. Men were considered to be superior to women. Women were treated as their “slaves.” In contrast, today’s time women now have power. They have the right to vote, run for office, and even work outside their homes. Women now play the part as the male and female figure in the households. They are considered independent women, not relying on a male figure. Even if they are married now, they do not listen to everything that their husbands tell them to do. It states in the Bible that a male figure is the head of the households; however women today have strayed away from that view that they had back then. They want to be the dominate figure. Times have really changed from the past to the present. W...
In Act IV, scene ii and iii, Emilia shows her contemporary views about relationships to the audience and talks to Desdemona while doing so. She believes that many men and women are commonly guilty of cheating and betrayal of their partner. At this point, Othello’s worries of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness have wholly increased, and he begins to accuse her of cheating on him. Desdemona then hopes Othello sees to her honesty and truthfulness of the matter. “I hope my noble lord esteems me honest” (Act IV, scene II line 67). Othello counters her begging by beginning his sarcasm and request for her to never have been born. He says, “O, ay. As summer flies are in the shambles,that quicken even with blowing. O Thou weed, Who art so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne’er been born!”(Act IV scene II lines 68-70)
There are many ways you can prevent injuries from happening before they do occur. Make sure you lift the right amount of weight to ensure that your body won’t wear down or you won’t injure yourself. Lifting more than you need to will only make your body worse. Using poor form can get you hurt quicker and easier than any other way. Make sure that you are using the correct form even if that means hiring a trainer or having a spotter. Workouts that you know can help because you will know the correct position. Workouts without machinery and weights have a lesser risk of hurting you. Cassidy says, “Years of intense workouts take a toll on your body..... Cartilage wears down and muscles, tendons, and ligaments can become less limber” (1).
Throughout the play women are treated as objects to be toyed with by men. The only power women have is their sexuality, which is thought to be something that is vile and intrusive. “ ...honest exchange between the two women on the subject of sexual morality...they lightly discuss, in less than an hour, both these women will be dead... about a subject their husband won 't talk about” (Grennan 280-281). For married women to speak of sexuality casually it alludes to their inevitable death. The only time a woman is left unchecked by a man, she is killed a few moments later by her own husband. However, women begin to feel more empowered when they are able to speak freely which is why they are supposed to be kept silent. With two out of the main three women dying in the play, it is clear that woman had a lesser role than men. Even Desdemona goes on to state how she knew she was an object, but then goes on to say how even objects can have meaning. Referring to Grennan “In this world, objects also carry symbolic weight, transmitting meaning beyond their apparent significance. Here the worlds seem to offer a glimpse into the deep interior of Desdemona’s mind...” (Grennan 278). We learn that Desdemona seems to be content with being an
Only a truly honorable man can admit that it was a story, and not his personality that truly won the woman’s heart. Othello’s honor is shown by his trust in the people he knows and loves. When Iago tells Othello that he believes Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, Othello does not believe Iago initially. He tells Iago that he will not believe him unless evidence is found and shown to him. This evidence does come to him.
“10% of all college sports players sustain brain injuries.” (CFAF). Many athletes have been absent from sport events and games do to injuries. Injuries are common in any type of organized sport. The injuries that athletes get are mainly from not exercising correctly, not doing the proper stretches, and by not keeping enough fluids in the body. The most common injuries are ankle twist, pulled muscles, concussions, broken bones, and fractures. The easiest way to prevent these type of injuries from happening is to make sure you have the proper training and stretching. Poor training methods, inadequate warm-up, and lack of conditioning are a few of the causes of sports injuries. “Injuries can be caused by a combination of those things without necessarily being the only reasons,” (Apostolos Theophilou). Injuries can also be caused by not using the proper technique in the sport, or by doing the proper stretching techniques. Most athletes hardly ever stretch before a game or event. Stretching is the main reason why athletes are injured so often. Whenever you don’t stretch, the muscles in the body are very tight and can be pulled easily or may cause very painful cramping.
It is estimated that one million people visit a physician for ankle injuries. In sports, 10 to 30 percent of athletes suffer from ankle sprains. Ankle sprains will be further investigated through five topics. The five topics on ankle sprains will be a clear definition with causes, the different types, prevention, treatment, and ankle sprains in sports……………………..
First, in order to defend Desdemona's chastity, Emilia challenges the societal norm of silence. Recall the incident when Othello calls Desdemona a "whore" for cheating. In response, Emilia protests loudly against Othello and attempts to disprove his belief that Desdemona is not chaste: "A halter pardon him [Othello]! And hell gnaw his bones! / Why should he call her [Desdemona] whore? (4.2. 143,144). Instead of Emilia conforming to the attribute of Renaissance women as silent, she condemns Othello for his false accusations against her mistress, Desdemona. Later in the play, after finding Desdemona killed, Emilia challenges silence again: "As ignorant as dirt! Thou hast done a deed-... / The Moor hath killed my mistress!" (5.2. 171,174). Although Othello tells Emilia that it would be "best" for her to remain silent, she ignores his request and ridicules him for killing "sweet" Desdemona (5.2. 169).
Throughout the drama, Othello let Iago control him as if he was a puppet under his master’s hands. When Iago first brought up the idea that Desdemona and Cassio might be having an affair, Othello did not believe him, he had faith in his wife. After many lies that Iago planted in Othello’s ears, Othello started to believe him and he dropped most of the faith that he had in Desdemona. Iago told Othello that in his sleep, Cassio said “Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our love”. Cursed fate that gave thee the Moor” (III.iii.416-417).
While there have been a great number of changes in the world since Shakespeare wrote Othello, there are a few truths about humanity and society that remain true. Othello is notorious for it’s examination of race, but is not given enough credit for its observations of gender. Iago embodies masculine gender roles in a severe and exaggerated way, allowing his desire for proving his masculinity to corrupt him morally. Iago then turns and uses his own fears of inadequacy against Othello as the root of his revenge and to improve his own self-image. Desdemona is hurt most by the need for gender roles, which ultimately ends up in her death. The characters in Othello are severely harmed by the gender roles they feel the need to adhere to.
...of Elizabethan England and put women in their place. Men view women as possessions, who are to remain obedient and submissive all the time. The only power over men women have is their sexuality, which is seen as evil and is to be resisted my men. Men are free to call women whores and accuse them of lewd acts with no substantial evidence. However there is a suggestion that women are starting to question the male authority society has set, this is evident when Desdemona is conversing with Emilia: 'Nay, we must think men are not gods" (III.4.144). This suggests that Desdemona had viewed men as god like in the past, but perhaps her experiences with Othello have changed her mind. The language and actions of the three women in Othello, while they seem to follow the expectations and standards of society, also seems to take a big step towards a more egalitarian society.
The portrayal of gender roles in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, demonstrates the inferior treatment of women and the certain stereotypes of men placed on them by society. Both the male and female characters in the play have these certain gender expectations placed on them. In a society dominated by men, it is understood that the women are to be seen rather than heard. The women are referred to and treated much like property. If indeed they do speak up, they are quickly silenced. One woman’s attempt to be the perfect wife is what ultimately led to her demise. The expectations of men are equally stereotypical. Men are to be leaders and to be in control and dominant especially over the women. The male characters compete for position and use the female characters in the play as leverage to manipulate each other. Shakespeare provides insight in understanding the outcomes of the men and women who are faced with the pressures of trying to live up to society’s expectations, not only in the workplace, but also in the home. The pressure creates jealousy issues amongst the men and they become blind to the voice of reason and are overtaken by jealous rage, leads to the death of many of the characters.
During the Shakespearean time women were treated as inferiors. The three women in Othello, Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca encountered many degrading and unfortunate situations. They were to be obedient. The women had to comply with the commands, orders, and the instructions of the men. Women were made to believe that they had no rights. The men would publicly humiliate the three women. It was difficult for the women to stand up for themselves due to that time in society. In Shakespeare’s play Othello, he portrayed the three women to be viewed as obedient, loyal, and submissive to their husbands.
The play Othello is presented as a male-dominated society where women are only recognized as property; objects to own and to bear children. Women in the Elizabethan society and in Shakespeare society were not seen as equal to men and were expected to be loyal to their husbands, be respectful, and to not go against their husbands judgements or actions. Shakespeare presents Desdemona, Emilia , and Bianca as women in the Elizabethan time where they were judged based on their class, mortality, and intelligence. Shakespeare makes his female characters act the way they would be expected to act in an Elizabethan society. The role of these women in Othello is crucial because they show how women were treated and how unhealthy their relationships between men really were in both Elizabethan and Shakespeare's society.