IndexThe role of women in Shakespeare's OthelloDesdemona's dilemma in OthelloWorks CitedThe role of women in Shakespeare's OthelloOthello by William Shakespeare describes a managed society in a patriarchal way, where men were theoretically 'At the top of the food chain'. Women were treated as if they were possessions, something they could show off and flaunt rather than being equally human and capable of tasks performed by men. The role of every single woman in Othello in the Elizabethan era was expected to follow the commands of men, including fathers, brothers, husbands, etc. This creates the perfect setting for the most reliable character of Desdemona, who goes through many trials to satisfy emotions. of his love. Shakespeare wrote Desdemona to fit the time and she is a great example of this when you look at her relationship between Barbantio and Othello. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The father-daughter relationship between Barbantio and Desdemona is a perfect example of what it would have been like in the Elizabethan era. In the play, we see the expectation placed on Desdemona to be obedient and faithful to the men in her life, this is further explained in the text when Barbantio is informed by Iago and Rodrigo that his daughter has been put under the spell of a Moor to fall in love of her “Even now, now, right now, an old black ram is mounting your white sheep. Introduce yourself…. Otherwise the devil will make you a grandfather. Get up, I say!” (Othello 1.1 90-93) when Barbanzio is told this he assures him that Desdemona is his property or in this case his white sheep, a representation of her purity a juxtaposition from the image of a moor. Desdemona's Dilemma in Othello In Act 1 Scene 3 , Barbanzio has just challenged Othello about the use of witchcraft which leads Desdemona to confront her father by exclaiming “My noble father, I perceive here a divided duty…. You are the lord of duty... But here is my husband, and many duties that my mother has shown you, preferring you to her father,” (1.3.208-218) This quote is the first time Desdemona speaks in the play and it really shows her thoughtfulness, because she does not give up respect for her father for her loyalty to Othello, but instead recognizes that her duty as a woman is divided. Keep in mind: this is just one example. Get a personalized card from ours now expert writers Get a custom essay In this scene Desdemona appears to be powerful but powerless at the same time, powerful by confronting her father and humiliating him in front of the Venetian senate while also sacrificing her power to Othello by giving him her hand in marriage a symbol of handing over the baton. of possession from father to husband. Barbanzio now betrayed by his own daughter is full of emotion stating that "my particular sorrow / is of a nature so impetuous and overbearing / that it swallows and swallows up other sorrows" (I.3.57–9). Brabantio's sense of loss is profound. The intense emotion described in this speech foreshadows Othello's scandalous emotions later in the play. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Othello. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 2009.