In the play the character of Othello is used by Shakespeare to represent the stereotypical image of men during this time period. Venetian men as was expected were seen as the holders of power within society and woman were seen as insignificant. They controlled all aspects of life and were seen to hold greater power by the positions with which they held in the army. A general would out rank a lieutenant as a lieutenant would out rule an ancient or solider. This aspect possibly made Othello the greatest power holder within the play, as he was a general .He believed in the ideas of honesty

Shakespeare through the use of Desdemona explores the female aspects of the play. It is in this character that the stereotypical image of woman during the 1600s are exposed and explored. Venetian women were seen to hold little power or respect in society in general they were wives and child bearers. Woman were to be seen and not heard, "A maiden never bold; Of spirit so still and quite that her motion blushed at herself"(Ln Act1, 3). Woman owed obedience to their male counterpart weather it be their fathers or husbands. Once married they left the security of their fathers and owed loyalties solely to their husbands in which they never questioned. Desdemona is introduced to the reader as a non-conformant to the ideologies of society as she has deceived her father, "Look to her Moor...She has deceived her father, and my thee."(Ln 289 Act 1,3). Although Desdemona follows closely the ideal image of a lady once she is married she, is still a woman of free spirit and determination qualities not sort after within a woman. This can be seen when she interferes in the military business of Othello , she speaks on behalf Cassio who was been demoted and tries to have him reinstated ,"tell him I have moved my lord on his behalf , and hope all will be well."(Ln 20 Act 3,4). This action contradicts the standings between husband and wife as it was expected that woman remain out of the business of their husbands and do not question their authority on such matters .This image of Desdemona changes through out the play as she is a loyal wife to Othello and even accepts her death at the hands of her husband for a crime she did not commit, "O, who hath done this deed? Nobody-I myself-farewell"(Ln125 Act5, 2). This illiterates the loyalty and respect she had for Othello even in death as was the expected behavior of a woman in her situation. Shakespeare has through the use of Desdemona created a character, which may in some instances go against the norms of society but overall gives an accurate image of the position of woman during this time period and the way in which they lived their lives.

The character of Iago is another male character used by Shakespeare to construct the imagery of men during the 1600s. Iago is seen through out the play as the under dog or evil aspect of the play solely causing all

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Approximate Word count = 1548
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)