Sexism can be defined as prejudice, stereotypes or discrimination typically directed towards women. Jacobean women lived in a male-dominated world, which often meant that they were the subordinate, powerless possessions of men. Shakespeare's Othello on the one hand presents these stereotypical attitudes through the play's three female characters, Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca, but on the other hand challenges this view by portraying these women as individuals in their own right who are starting to break down. away from male control. Webster's "The Duchess of Malfi" similarly deconstructs Jacobean stereotypes of women by presenting the Duchess as a powerful Renaissance woman who has the qualities of both a man and a woman. In comparison, Verdi's Desdemona does not challenge sexism to the same extent because it presents the stereotypical 19th century woman who remains respectful towards her husband. Although ultimately to what extent this can be deconstructed depends on the public's preconceived opinions. The expectation of Jacobean women was that they were their father's property until marriage. Brabantio reiterates the idea that women are virtually “helpless pawns” when he calls Othello a disgusting thief who robbed him of his daughter. This suggests that women were seen as their father's property until marriage and that they were physically unable to live independently of men because they were unable to hold their own opinion. Iago also states how Brabantio has the ultimate authority over Desdemona when he compares her to his house, a house that symbolizes ownership, ownership, and possession. When Desdemona goes against her father by marrying Othello she openly challenges common sexist views in that...... middle of paper......she fell in love with men who used them selfishly, destroying both themselves and their partners. Is Othello the real victim in the play or are they people like Desdemona and Emilia who, despite fighting against sexist misogynistic characters, lose their fight for equality and consequently their lives? Works Cited: Webster, John. “The Duchess of Malfi” The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ninth edition Stephen Greenblatt. New York: Norton, 2012. Shakespeare, William. No fear Shakespeare/Othello. New York: Spark Publishing, 2003.