This seminar paper is trying to display some designated motifs of gender studies and wants to give an overview of how such an approach to Shakespeare’s "Othello" can be made. Approaching Shakespeare’s works under the aspect of gender studies might not been originally intended by the author, however it provides multiple chances of interpretations and varieties of looking at the text. This is why in this seminar paper the literary theory of gender studies will be implemented on Shakespeare’s "The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice".
Firstly a theoretical approach to Gender Studies is going to lead the way into this paper with an explanation of the main aspects of the Gender Studies theory and why it was chosen for this work. This will be followed by a focus on depictions of women and men and the gender related differences shown in the play. Furthermore a close look on the main characters namely Othello and Iago being the most important male characters and on the other hand Emilia and Desdemona as the main female characters in the play is taken.
Main issues discussed are how the characters fit their role in society, female obedience and silence in contrast to male dominance and the need to act as. Also will these main themes be put in contrast with the plot and its development to see the impact of the characters and their gender related behaviour towards it. This will lead to a final analysis of how gender does influence the plot of the tragedy "Othello" and its outcome. The characters’ downfalls that in the end lead to the tragic resolution is being discussed from a view of gender studies theory. The analysis shows how gender influences Shakespeare’s drama in detail, which changes the characters go through with the progression of the plot and gives a short explanation of how these issues could be so fatal for the characters that die in the play.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Shakespeare seen with Gender Study eyes
- A Gender Studies Approach to Shakespeare's Othello
- Gender Studies Theory
- The role of the characters in society
- Iago and Othello
- Emilia and Desdemona
- The Downfall of the characters
- Male downfall for gender related reasons
- Female downfall for gender related reasons
- Shakespeare and women's rights
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This seminar paper aims to analyze Shakespeare's Othello through the lens of gender studies, providing a modern perspective on a classic work. It explores the theoretical framework of gender studies and its application to literary analysis. The paper focuses on the portrayal of male and female characters, examining their gender-related roles, behaviors, and the impact these have on the plot.
- The role of gender in shaping characters' actions and motivations
- The representation of traditional gender roles and societal expectations in Elizabethan England
- The influence of gender stereotypes on the downfall of characters
- The impact of female characters on the male characters and the development of the plot
- The use of gender studies as a valuable tool for understanding and interpreting Shakespeare's work
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Shakespeare seen with Gender Study eyes: This chapter introduces the concept of analyzing Shakespeare's works through the lens of gender studies. It outlines the purpose and scope of the seminar paper, highlighting the use of gender studies theory to interpret Othello.
- A Gender Studies Approach to Shakespeare's Othello: This chapter provides a detailed overview of gender studies theory, tracing its origins and key concepts. It emphasizes the significance of gender as a central category of inquiry in feminist criticism and its impact on analyzing social constructs.
- Gender Studies Theory: This section delves deeper into the core principles of gender studies, exploring the concepts of gender and sex as socially constructed categories. It discusses the impact of these categories on individual identities and societal structures.
- The role of the characters in society: This section examines the characters of Iago and Othello, exploring their gender-related roles within Venetian society. It discusses their military roles and how these reflect traditional masculine expectations.
- Iago and Othello: This section analyzes the characters of Iago and Othello, focusing on their military roles and how these reflect traditional masculine expectations.
- Emilia and Desdemona: This section focuses on the female characters, Emilia and Desdemona, analyzing their roles as wives and how they conform to societal expectations of feminine behavior.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts that form the core of this analysis include gender studies, feminist criticism, social constructs, gender roles, societal expectations, male dominance, female obedience, masculine and feminine traits, and the portrayal of characters in Shakespeare's Othello.
- Citar trabajo
- Maximilian Bauer (Autor), 2013, “But I do think it is their husbands’ faults If wives do fall.” A gender studies approach to William Shakespeare’s "The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/311959
