Criticism against Shakespeare for Being Misogynistic

Criticism against Shakespeare for Being Misogynistic

Introduction

The word misogyny refers to the hatred and discontent feeling men have towards the female gender. It can be executed in various ways for example, men having low standards of treatment towards women, women being used for sexual objectification and sexual discrimination towards women etc. Many western philosophers in the past have been accused of being misogynistic; as misogyny was termed as a salient characteristic of societies in the past since men were always viewed as the stronger gender in comparison with women. This standard of thought has been present since the past as in retrospect men would be the bread winners and the man of the house empowering them control to lead the house and dominate every individual living in it. Similarly Shakespeare's plays were also accused for the same purpose, as the same scenario existed in his time. His work usually opens up to every individual for their own interpretations and has always left a room for broad discussions giving rise to conflicts, different views and thoughts.

Discussion

One of the most popular plays of Shakespeare, Othello is always criticised for the misogynistic views reflected in it through different characters. The major female characters Emilia, Bianca and Desdemona were portrayed as weaker sex and were mistreated by the men in the play throughout. The wives in the play were described as objects of physical desire and lust and were always treat inferior e.g. Lago who always had a grudge against Othello thought that his wife Emilia slept with Othello, and use to address his wife as a whore. To him love had a different meaning as he thought of it as a lust of the blood and permission of the will. His cruel and unkind nature is evident when ...