![]() ![]() “Traditional critics would believe that the plays show life’s struggle for the individual, whereas feminist critics believe it was entirely based around female subordination” (Thacker, 2008). Feminist theory is usually sympathetic to women’s plight, often blaming men: According to critics this shaped the characterization of his tragic heroine Desdemona. In Shakespeare’s time women did not have the freedom that is taken for granted today. The denial of freedom and right to take decisions of their lives are the real causes of many tragedies in the life of woman. Women are not given an equal status as that of man. So they must depend on men and should not disobey or transgress their decisions.” “Women are constructed as biologically weak and socially inferior. Feminists believe that literature reflects masculine bias and represents an inaccurate and potentially harmful image of women. They are interested in exposing the undervaluing of women in literature as the norm both by men and women. The feminist approach is based on finding and exposing suggestions of misogyny (the negative attitudes towards women) in literature. Feminists’ movement began in 1960 and formed a new approach to literary criticism. Feminism object to seeing woman as an “object” and insist on seeing and representing women as “subject” by accepting their active role in the society and giving them agency. The basis of feminism both in literature and society, is that the western world is particularly patriarchal that is created by men, ruled by men, viewed through the eyes of men and judged by men. Feminism is a movement that challenges the patriarchy and stereotype attached to women gender. The character of Desdemona will be analysed from the perspective of feminism. Shakespeare has highlighted both the norms and expectations of the society and the behaviour and attitude of women towards these norms. Though she was a woman of strength but could not escape the male dominance. She raised her voices with all respect, laid her case in front of her father and decided to stand beside her husband. She defied to be enchained in those bondages. She transgressed the traditional boundaries made around women to imprison them. Desdemona is one such character in Othello. ![]() Though women were treated as subordinate, they were not allowed to raise their voice but there were women who despite the oppression, patriarchy and male dominance were able to raise their voice for their rights. Shakespeare on the other hand has portrayed women as both object and subject. Women during Elizabethan age are assumed to have spent their lives in the service of men - prearranged marriages, child rearing, and their role as sexual objects. ![]() And eventually was killed by her sceptic husband.įeminist Critique of the Character Desdemona in Othello Introduction Though she asserted her individual personality but under the impact of a male dominant society she could not exercise her freedom. However, her position as a woman made her vulnerable. She spoke for her herself, refused to be crushed under the feet of patriarchy. Desdemona is a strong and independent woman. Otherwise she is frowned and called a transgressor. Woman is expected to follow the norms and fulfil the expectation of the society. If she raises her voice, it is then silenced by the society. They are treated as inferior and dependent on men. Feminists argue that women are denied rights of freedom, equality, and decision making. Feminism tends to highlight the oppression of women and their position in a male dominant society. The article “a feminist critique of the character Desdemona” offers an analysis of the character of Desdemona from the theoretical framework of feminism.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |