The Role of Jealousy and Societal Norms
The concept of the "green-eyed monster" plays a significant role in Shakespeare's portrayal of Venetian women's tragedy. Jealousy is explicitly shown to be the cause of downfall for both male and female characters, as evidenced by the deaths of Othello and Desdemona.
Desdemona's powerlessness against jealousy and the weight it holds over her demonstrates how her voice is diminished by those around her. Despite her proclaimed innocence, her position as a tragic victim is largely disregarded in favor of male superiority and the preservation of the male image alongside female monogamy.
Definition: Green-eyed monster - A metaphor for jealousy, coined by Shakespeare in this play.
This portrayal suggests that Desdemona's tragedy and the pity she evokes are not solely due to her own actions, but are largely a result of the attitudes, actions, and failures of those around her, particularly Othello and the societal norms he represents.
Highlight: The play critiques how even suspicion of infidelity could justify extreme actions against women in Shakespeare's time.
The manipulation of Othello further evokes pity from the audience, not only for him but for all the women in the play, including Desdemona and Emilia. This manipulation serves to highlight the vulnerability of women in a society where their voices are easily silenced and their lives deemed expendable.
In conclusion, while Desdemona is undoubtedly portrayed as an innocent tragic victim who evokes pity, the play's broader commentary on the treatment of women in Venetian society adds layers to this tragedy. It challenges audiences, both in Shakespeare's time and today, to consider the societal structures that enable such tragedies to unfold.
