Gender Roles In Shakespeare's Othello

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During the 16th century in Venice, women pledged to be obedient to their fathers and husbands which could often result in gender detriment. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, there is a plethora of motifs regarding that certain characteristic towards relationships. Regarding men in Othello, they are stereotyped to be the superior gender, flaunting their abilities. The use of gender roles in Othello, differentiates the characters throughout the play, influencing all the relationships immensely. Changes between both males and females are shown in all aspects of the play. Shakespeare utilizes gender roles as one of the main concepts in his tragic play.

To begin with, women’s obedience was highly strict as they had to follow all given orders. In Othello, Desdemona is portrayed as one of those characters in the start of the play. Desdemona is …show more content…
Brabantio, for instance, is appalled at the fact that his daughter married the Moor, “So opposite to marriage that she shunned the wealthy curlèd darlings of our nation, would ever have, to incur a general mock” (I.ii. 86-88). Brabantio insists Desdemona was opposed to his principles of marrying the same and wealthy race and claims their relationship can continue to be a “general mock” if problems persists. According to Goddard, “The degree to which the other characters are scandalized by the marriage is a measure of their blindness or depravity”, relating to Brabantio’s morals towards Desdemona and Othello’s partnership. Brabantio’s “blindness” can be inferred as his mindset wanting his daughter to marry into wealth or one of the same race, criticizing Desdemona’s marriage for all the wrong reasons. To put it, their relationship breaks the stereotype of the same race relationship, as it is an interracial relationship, showing the other characters …… ("On Othello." N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar.

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