Index Character Comparison of Desdemona and Emilia: Complete Contrasts Conclusion Works Cited How are women's self-consciousness, opposition and pursuit ruined by patriarchal society? In the play Othello, William Shakespeare establishes abundantly colorful female images to interpret the rigid female gender roles of that era of sexism and to delineate varying degrees of self-awareness in the male-dominated society. Comparing the lives of Desdemona and Emilia, in Othello, can reveal how women react differently to the repression and slavery caused by traditional patriarchy, possessing completely different attitudes, respectively submissive and resistant. It is evident that Desdemona and Emilia have different visions of the androcentric society with which they associated themselves. Furthermore, their attitudes towards marital infidelity are completely dissimilar. Finally, they also differ when it comes to truth and loyalty to their husbands. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Character Comparison of Desdemona and Emilia: Complete Contrasts First, Desdemona and Emilia have distinct attitudes toward the idea of ​​objectifying women, attitudes that are the concrete manifestation of their different levels of feminine consciousness. On the one hand, Desdemona is voluntarily bound to the social framework because she is the property of men and she considers this servility as part of her unshakable faith. It is obvious that Desdemona has fulfilled her duty to her father: “To you I am bound for life and education; My life and upbringing have taught me to respect you; you are the lord of duty.” As a result, Desdemona regards her father as her lord, which echoes the fact that she has no doubts about the subordination of women to men. She is a typical product of patriarchy as she is willingly burdened by a patriarchal system, which recognizes that women, as the property of men, must fulfill the duty to be obedient to men. On the other hand, Emilia, being Desdemona's counterpart, questions the objectification of women inherited from patriarchy and criticizes the gender inequality of that era. Emilia's harsh criticism is demonstrated in her indictment of a male-dominated society: “Let husbands know that their wives have as much sense as they do: they see and smell and have their own tastes both for sweet and sour” ( Shakespeare. 4. 3. 95). Emilia evidently thinks differently from Desdemona, as she complains that women are equal to men on the basis of humanity, and in which they are considered human beings with thoughts and emotions, rather than objects. In summary, Desdemona accepts the concept of being considered a subject by men, while Emilia tries to break it, which reflects their distinct-different responses to the male-dominated world. Secondly, the contrasting ideas about female adultery that Desdemona and Gli Emiliani revealed their different degrees of sense of rebellion against patriarchy. Desdemona believes that women should be unconditionally faithful to their husbands, no matter what unforgivable wrong they have done them. To demonstrate, Desdemona asks Emilia about the possibility of women cheating on their husbands. Raising this question shows that Desdemona cannot understand the idea of ​​women having affairs because she thinks that under no circumstances can women commit adultery. In contrast, Emilia's maturity belies Desdemona's nature when she argues that female infidelity is understandable. Emilia points out that women's infidelity is a form of revenge for male infidelity.