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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
In four pages this paper examines the representation of gender in this Shakespearean tragedy. Two sources are listed in the bibliography.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: TG15_TGothgen.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
of the Bards plays that features a plot fueled by the battle of the sexes, but instead of being played for laughs, it instead reads as Shakespeares commentary on the
changing role of gender in seventeenth-century Elizabethan society. Stronger women who sought to break free of the constraining social stereotypes were suddenly challenging the traditional medieval views of masculinity
and femininity. However, as the tragedy reveals, the patriarchy was not ready to equalize the gender scales just yet, and would pursue any aggressive means to keep women subservient
and in their designated social places. The plays protagonist is the Moorish military commander who appears to be the quintessential Elizabethan image of masculinity. He is strong, courageous, and
defender of womens honor, as were the knights in medieval romances. His perceptions of gender roles are every bit as archaic. He regards them not as equals or
even as people, but more as objects or possessions. Othellos insecurity about being a Venetian outsider because of his race appears to be lessened when he claims the ultimate
feminine prize, Desdemona, daughter of the esteemed Senator Brabantio. Othello refers to his bride as "the gentle Desdemona" (Shakespeare 1.2.27), despite the fact that her opposition to her father
by eloping with the much-older Othello reveals her internal strength, which is comparable to his external strength in combat. Othello lavishes Desdemona with gifts (such as his mothers handkerchief)
and treats her more like a child than his marital equal. In other words, Othello is a variation of Senator Brabantio, a macho male who believes a womans place
is in the home, where she can be sheltered and protected. A conversation between Othello and his manipulative lieutenant Iago reveal that men view the female gender as an
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