Student Question

How does Othello represent feminism through Desdemona?

Quick answer:

Desdemona in Othello can be seen as a feminist figure by her defiance of societal norms, choosing to marry Othello against her father's wishes, thus asserting her autonomy. However, her ultimate submission to Othello highlights the limitations of her independence, reflecting the era's gender dynamics. While she initially challenges traditional roles, her eventual subservience underscores the play's complex portrayal of women's roles, aligning more with historical norms than modern feminist ideals.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

By marrying Othello, Desdemona defies both parental authority and the social convention of her times. There is not doubt that this is also a racial thing. Her father Brabantio laments: "O unhappy girl! - With the Moor, say'est thou? - Who would be a father?...O, she deceives me past thought!" He rants on: "O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!" He then apostrophes paternity in general: "Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds By what you see them act..."

Desdemona is not satisfied just to hear tales of Othello's adventures; she wants to be a part of the scene. She accompanies Othello to his isolated military outstation, leaving behind both the comforts and security of Venitian bourgeosie . Both morally and geographically, she has indeed "got out"; she has flown the coop; she has deliberately stepped beyond the 'acceptable' perimeter for a woman of...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

her status and breeding. 

Ironically, Desdemona pays full tribute for such 'insurrection' because she 'mellows out.' She seems to lose her original spunk and punch, as she entreats Othello to believe her rather than outright challenging him. Here Desdemona steps out of her character profile as a feminist and falls back into a more traditional role. Whereas she had stood up to her father Brabantio, her unconditional love for Othello has softened her, and she is no longer tough enough to survive in his world.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

 Feminism by definition states that there is equality among the sexes.  The fact that Desdemona and Othello are secretly married suggest to the reader that Desdemona has willingly made her own decision, at a time in history when women's opinions were of little matter.    Desdemona questions the loyalty she has for her father when positioned in the way of her lover.  In doing that she questions the relationships between men and women.   We call it challenging society.  She loves her husband, however she is caught between her circumstance...which is woman.  The play demonstates a paradox...strong woman who will stand up to her father for love...ok...strong woman who is thought capable of infidelity by her husband...not ok.  Her equality to her male counter part lies in her death.  Desdemona practices what she preaches.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Feminism can be defined as a women's "movement" that worked to bring more rights and equal status and pay to women. Women who are feminists have strong beliefs about the rights of women and their place in society. 

To be honest, Desdemona does not represent feminism or its ideals.  She is submissive to her husband and bows to his wishes.  She does not fight him when she knows he will kill her and she allows him to do so.  Although she shows some attempts to get Othello to believe she was not unfaithful to him, these do not represent feminism in its true definition.  Desdemona really represents the typical woman during this time period...one who was subservient to her husband and who gave into and abided by his wishes. 

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

How does Shakespeare depict feminism in his play Othello?

As feminism was not invented until the twentieth century, William Shakespeare, in the sixteenth century, could not have been acquainted with it. While it is possible to create a feminist critique of Shakespeare's works by applying 20th century ideas of feminism to them, that is different from attributing feminist intentionality to Shakespeare himself, and runs the risk of anachronism.

Feminist approaches to Othello usually focus on the character Desdemona who describes her own role as follows:

DESDEMONA: "My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty:
To you I am bound for life and education;
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;
I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband,
And so much duty as my mother show'd
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor my lord..."

Feminist criticism can focus either on her implied subordination to father and then husband or the independence and logic with which she makes her choices and presents her case.

Approved by eNotes Editorial