Early on in the play, Othello intimates that Desdemona's sexuality is a threat towards himself and his behavior. Othello pinpoints the source of this degradation when he recounts his relationship with Desdemona: "She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd,/And I loved her that she did pity them." Othello moves from a martial world to one governed by maternal pity. This movement robs

That make ambition virtue! O, farewell

In addition to his fear of domination by a women, Othello fears domination by his own feelings towards her. As stated by Martha Ronk "The consequent state of chaos, jealousy and sexual fantasy into which Othello plunges, literally undoes him as he falls to the ground in a trance." Othello's jealousy causes the decadence of his self-control and his conduct. He becomes enthrall with Desdemona's behavior which is slowly causing his self-destruction with his feelings being control by Desdemona. Furthermore, Othello's assurances to the senate that this will not happen "the young affects/In me defunct" sounds as if he is trying to convince himself more than the lords. Othello fears that the awakening of his sexual desires for Desdemona may draw potency from his martial prowess. Also importantly, Othello says about his marriage "If it were now to die,/'Twere now to be most happy." Othello acknowledges that the contamination of his masculine power by female sexuality is preventative to his happiness. Othello's character shortcomings reveals that he is helpless among the presence of Desdemona.

Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars

Othello's downfall was the result of his own devising. Iago may have aggravated the situation, but Othello's own anxiety toward Desdemona's sexuality would have forced her death regardless. The patriarchal society demands that a woman must not have desires of her own. In the tale of Othello, Desdemona's, who is representing women in general, sexuality is a double threat towards the patriarchal society. Not only may a woman sexually desire any man she chooses, but a man's desire for a women emasculates him by making him subservient to her desires. With that message, Othello reinforces that Shakespeare believes that female sexuality should be removed from the realm of the patriarchy.

In order to regain his masculinity, Othel

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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)