Sex in Othello and Hamlet Essay - 4016 Words

Sex debases men. They begin to struggle when they feel they are losing control of their emotions in any way. For a woman to easily change the way a man feels or the way he acts just by being female and attractive is enough to drive men insane. William Shakespeares plays, Othello and Hamlet, demonstrate on paper, on film, and in other art forms that female sexuality and beauty are a threat to patriarchal society and that they must be controlled. Showalter affirms this in her essay by quoting David Laverenzes essay, The Woman in Hamlet. In this essay he asserts that, Hamlets disgust at the feminine passivity in himself translated into violent revulsion against women and into his brutal behavior toward Ophelia (Showalter 222). As men†¦show more content†¦This way we are able to see the impression that the text is making on individual artists. In my analysis, I have found that each type of art works in a different way to reinforce the theme that female sexuality intimidates men. Though they choose to portray the women of Shakespeares plays in different ways, the womens sexuality and power within it remain strong. Though the theater and photographs give a hint to Shakespeares message, one can truly see it in the literature of his play. Through words, Desdemona and Ophelias sexual appeal are portrayed as threats to their lovers. Shakespeare did not write in a social vacuum. His livelihood depended on his audiences being pleased. We must remember, his audiences were notoriously unruly. As a result, he had more leeway with what he wrote. He captured their imaginations by showing them the personalities of their friends and husbands, but more importantly, their wives, their mistresses, and their lovers. Women were a mystery. Shakespeare cast a glimmer of light on their shadowed sexuality and undertones of powerful beauty. People finally saw a true reflection of themselves and their lovers. It was a bold move. He drew women out of their social cage and put them on stage as innocent magician like creatures. They did not fully realize the effect they had on the men. Men, soShow MoreRelatedLiterary Sch olarship And Criticism Of Shakespeare s The Invention Of The Human 1309 Words   |  6 Pagesis able to express himself more vividly and memorably than anyone else in the language† (p. 7). J.J.M. Tobin’s three components of Shakespeare’s artistry will serve as the anchors for exploring how four of Shakespeare’s prominent tragedies, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear, demonstrate the faculty of Shakespeare’s expertise. 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