More often than not, men are the center of attention in most all plays in the 17th through 19th centuries; even today our society is male-centric. Everything seems to revolve around the male ego, whether women can compare to men in all aspects of life, can they earn enough money, are they strong enough, can they run a country, etc., etc. However, without the element of women no matter how small or what her role may be, the play would fall flat. In Oedipus the King, Othello, Tartuffe, The Father and even the absence of women in Waiting for Godot all have an impact in the story and on the audience. .
Let's first discuss Jocasta; unfortunately she was an unwitting victim of circumstance. Lead by her husband the King, she reluctantly gave up her only child to be killed just so her husband's prophecy would not come to pass. Because of this act of servitude to her husband, she was tortured by her mistake of allowing her child to be taken away, regretful, and mournful. Jocasta is not really weak-minded, but due to her submissive nature she was a victim, a victim to the oracle, a victim to her husband, and a victim in the end to her son and herself. Not being able to cope with the reality of the prophecy coming to fruition, she killed herself. Even though the play was about Oedipus, Jocasta was just as much a tragic victim of fate as he was.
Next, we turn to Desdemona in Othello. Desdemona played Othello's new wife. Even though she had what seemed to be a small role because the play was about Othello, she was a picture perfect example of a victim of domestic violence, even to the very end. Desdemona was a vibrant courageous woman who decided against social norms to marry a black man, adventurous and dedicated to her husband through everything. Eventually so downtrodden that she doesn't put up a fight when he strangles her thinking it is her own fault. This example of a battered abused woman could not have been framed more perfectly even for those women who endure or fall victim to domestic violence situations today.
