Othello- Marriage Flashcards
Initially, Desdemona and Othello’s marriage was presented as the ideal relationship. In accordance with the VALUES of the REFORMATION, SHAKESPEARE presents their UNITY as a COMPANIATE MARRIAGE; one of EQUITY and RESPECTABILITY, ‘not (one) to please the palate of (Othello’s) appetite,but to free (Desdemona’s) bounteous mind’
Othello’s loss of rationality aligns his character with bestial attributes. Shakespeare conveys this deterioration through structure and form. At the exposition of the play, Othello conducts himself well, speaking in a measured metre and respectful tone, such as when he addresses the Venetian council as ‘most potent, grave signors’. However, once he is overcome by jealousy, he loses such quality and his affinity to brutality is foregrounded: ‘I’ll tear her to pieces’. Shakespeare portrays the malignance of insecurity, particularly a man’s insecurity in his own masculinity. Othello’s love for Desdemona is usurped by his paranoia, trust that was once ‘webbed’ into their marriage has gone. She becomes a source of his fury and thus their once Companionate Marriage is reduced to the Traditional dynamic of a man controlling his wife.
Marriage gave licence to male control over the agency and autonomy of women, a woman committing adultery suggests a man’s incompetence in controlling his wife and thus implies a lack of masculinity and weakness.
A cuckolded man was not worthy of respect in high society and thus a ‘beast’. His wounded pride drives Othello to violence.
‘a horned man’s a monster and a beast’
‘I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me !’
