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Gender is the most evident theme that Othello explores. Swordplay is used as the primary device, and it plays a role in depicting different perception about women. Swordplay is also apparent in Goodnight Desdemona. Ann Macdonald’s parody of Shakespeare is classic. Similarly to Shakespearean view, the use of Swordplay in Macdonald’s play objects to represent women in the modern-day society. Swordplay was originally limited to men in Shakespeare’s early play. Swordplay was used to depict men who are aggressive, dominant, bold, and violent as compared to women who are submissive and docile.
Swords are weapon that symbolize exude dominance and this is the reason Shakespeare’s play restricted sword to men so as to show the power of men. Traditionally, women were taken to be quiet and peaceful, but men used dictatorship. Desdemona cannot use a weapon to change her predicament, thus she is forced to serve as a victim who is powerless and weak to decide her fortune.
In the reinvention of Shakespeare’s play, Macdonald challenges the perception that women are passive and weak victims. Desdemona seems to be docile and submissive, but she appears be strong violent and bloodthirsty just like the men who were around her. Thus, Macdonald exposes Desdemona as a courageous woman who can handle a sword with skill as a man. He establishes women to be assertive and dominant in the modern-day society which is different from Shakespeare’s view about women.
Evidently, the device of swordplay is both significant in Othello and Goodnight Desdemona though there is a difference in meaning in the plays. Swordplay is used in Shakespeare’s play solely by the male thus depicts the patriarchal society. Contrariwise, Macdonald uses swordplay to represent women’s strength, dominance and their capability that surpasses or equals that of the male, which depicts modern society.