In her book “Gender Trouble” (1990), Judith Butler, a feminist theorist, argues that gender is not only a social construct but also a form of performance. According to Butler, gender is like a show or a disguise that individuals put on. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, this understanding of gender as a performance greatly influences the outcome of the play.
The tragedy in Othello is attributed to Desdemona and Othello breaking societal gender norms. Iago’s inability to accept these deviations also contributes to the tragic events. “Othello” is a play by William Shakespeare written in 1604, focusing on the vengeful actions of two characters: Othello and Iago. Othello, a highly revered general in Venice, falls victim to his own overwhelming jealousy, leading to his downfall. The manipulation of Iago plays a pivotal role in orchestrating this tragedy as he takes on the role of the play’s antagonist.
According to Gayle Greene (2004) in her work “This that you call Love”: Sexual and Social Tragedy in Othello, the play depicts Othello’s journey of increasing doubt towards his wife and friend Cassio, driven by his jealousy. This doubt eventually leads him to not only kill his beloved but also himself. Greene argues that adherence to patriarchal rules and stereotypes is the underlying cause of this tragedy (655-659). In addition, she suggests that the tragedy arises from men’s misunderstandings of women and women’s inability to protect themselves from society’s perception of them (666).
In the 17th century, gender expectations for women included passivity, softness, and obedience, contrasting with the dominant, aggressive, and authoritative qualities associated with men. However, Desdemona’s character in Othello defied these norms by surpassing the expectations placed upon women at the time. Desdemona willingly transgresses her societal roles as a daughter and even as a wife, ultimately challenging the social norms. Shakespeare uses Desdemona’s unconventional gender performance to present her as a strong, independent woman who challenges the patriarchal society’s gender barriers.
However, at the conclusion of the play, it becomes clear that Desdemona’s actions have resulted in her own death. By eloping with Othello without asking her father for permission, she has committed another form of societal transgression. It appears that she has disregarded her father’s authority and taken it upon herself to marry Othello. This act of independence demonstrates Desdemona’s refusal to conform to traditional expectations for daughters and challenges conventional notions of gender roles.
Marrying Othello has also demonstrated that Desdemona challenges societal norms by breaking away from women’s expected passivity during her time. In her conversation with her father, she acknowledges her duty towards him due to her upbringing and education. However, she also asserts her duty towards her husband, just as her mother prioritized her father over her own father. This display of courage defies the gender expectations that women should be submissive in society. Desdemona’s marriage to Othello is regarded as an inappropriate gender performance since it was considered forbidden for a white woman to marry a black man according to early modern beliefs. Despite the Duke’s decision to have Desdemona return home with her father when Othello was ordered to go to Cyprus, she defends herself and refuses to let men determine her fate. Desdemona states that she too does not want to stay there and provoke impatience in her father’s mind by always being under his watchful gaze.
The speaker respectfully asks the Duke to attentively consider her thoughts, seeking his approval to assist her despite her lack of experience. This conversation reveals that Desdemona has chosen to stay with her husband. Her determination to shape her own destiny, demonstrated by defying societal conventions through marrying a man from a different race, culture, and social status, is seen as unnatural. In his play “Othello,” Shakespeare presents these violations of gender norms as crucial elements contributing to Desdemona’s tragic downfall.
According to Butler, in her book, the actions of women are not innate and are influenced by external forces (Bulter). In other words, societal norms shape all gendered behaviors, and there is no definitive right or wrong in terms of gender. In the early 17th century, Iago portrays the societal idea of a “correct” woman (II. i. 110-113). Iago describes women as being beautiful like pictures in public, but noisy like bells in their own homes. They act as saints when they are injured but become devils when offended. Women do not take their role as housewives seriously and are shameless in bed (Spark notes). These stereotypes and gender expectations have allowed Iago to easily convince Othello of Desdemona’s betrayal without much effort.
Although Othello possesses the patriarchal view of owning and controlling his wife or daughter, his treatment of Desdemona contrasts with that of her father, Brabantio. Othello shows a certain level of recognition and respect for Desdemona as an individual person. As Greene explains, the behavior of women associated with men plays a crucial role in defining masculinity. In order to embody masculinity, one must exert control over their women. Therefore, Othello’s initial respectful treatment of Desdemona can be seen as a socially transgressive act, similar to Desdemona’s actions.
Despite being persuaded by Iago of Desdemona’s guilt, Othello did not stop at restoring his manhood. On the contrary, it pushed him towards seeking bloody revenge. Iago’s statement, “She did deceive her father, marrying you” (III. Iii. 205), led Othello to believe that if Desdemona could go against gender norms by betraying her father, she was also likely to betray him. The tragedy in this play is caused by Othello’s drive to conform to societal expectations of masculinity. To relinquish his performance of gender, Othello declares, “I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me! (IV. i. 182).
The male gender role in society is to have a secure “job” or “place” (Leslie). In the play, Othello surpasses Iago for a promotion, putting his job at risk. For someone like Iago, this is a severe violation of the male agenda, leading to jealousy due to an inability to tolerate these gender transgressions. Iago’s manipulation and deceitful skills ultimately cause a tragic downfall in the play. Ultimately, Shakespeare portrays a very conservative perspective in “Othello” and reinforces the stereotypes of his time through the characters of Othello, Desdemona, and Iago.
In conclusion, the outcome of Shakespeare’s play, “Othello”, has been greatly influenced by gender expectations. The script of the play reinforces stereotypes, such as the idea that girls who resist their fathers end up dying. Similarly, women who marry individuals from different races, classes, and cultures also meet their demise. Furthermore, women who assert their own choices and determine their own destiny similarly come to a tragic end. Shakespeare depicts women within a patriarchal system in “Othello”, and the consequences of the play reflect the disruption caused by gender expectations. Hence, it is undeniable that the outcome of Shakespeare’s play “Othello” is significantly impacted by the gender expectations placed upon both male and female characters.
