Women have more rights and freedoms in today's society than in previous eras. The lines between social classes are more relaxed, expectations have been lowered, and a woman speaking out has become more accepted. Today, women are allowed to do whatever men are. This, however, was not always the case. Take, for example, William Shakespeare's play Othello. There are two main female characters in the play: Desdemona, Othello's wife; and Emilia, Iago's wife. Both of these women fit into a certain social category from the time, each category with its own specific expectations and requirements. Throughout Othello, whether or not these women take action to break through the societal expectations has a great effect on their ends.
Desdemona is one of the many characters whose attitude evolves throughout the play. She begins the play by speaking out against her father, which was generally unacceptable, and ends they play exhibiting blind obedience to her husband's wishes, which results in her death.
"A Bedchamber, Desdemona in Bed asleep", from Othe...
Suzanne Cloutier as Desdemona in Orson Welles' 195...
Othello and Desdemona, by Alexandre-Marie ColinDesdemona is the wife of a noble warrior and daughter of a senator, Brabantio, who calls her "...a maid so tender, fair, and happy.../ [one of] the wealthy curled darlings of our nation..." (1.2.85-87) There is much expected of her "wealthy", elevated class of nobility. Women of the highest class were expected to be beautiful ("fair"), and "never proud". They had to "have tongue at will", but never speak too much, and when they were angry, they were not allowed to take revenge on their enemies. They were expected to be able to think for themselves, but "ne'er disclose her mind", and not pay attention to any courtship besides that of their husbands (2.1.163-172). This is all, however, according to Iago, Emilia's husband, so it is what men expected from their women, and they expect many things, including loyalty.