I've read most of Shakespeare's play earlier in my life and career. Revisiting Othello because it's on Broadway this season. Maybe I was in a mood when I read it this go round, but it pissed me off more than usual. It always focuses on Othello and Iago and the themes of jealousy and pride and Iago's conniving, but can we just give a little mention to the fact that the misogyny is massive in this piece. The whole play is Iago using Desdemona as a prop, an expendable prop to get what he wants. Her treatment at the hands of men leads ultimately to her death as well as the death of Emilia. I realize that the 1500's were a little less enlightened about women being actual people and that most of Shakespeare's work is misogynistic as was the time period in which he wrote and wrote about; but this piece is really a little TOO cavalier about it!
No comments:
Post a Comment