The Women of Othello
The women of Shakespeares Othello are put into stereotypical roles, but behind peoples backs play much stronger types. Desdemona, goes against her fathers orders and marries a moor. Bianca innocently takes part in Desdemona's death. Emilia has an opportunity to save Desdemona but sneakingly remains silent. These women are similar because they are treated like they are lower then the men in their days. But they do not let that hold them back. These women take part in anything that pleases them. In no way would they let men tell them what to do!Desdemona was the daughter of the Venetian Senator Brabantio. Against her father's wishes, she marries a moor, Othello. "The marriage seems to be monstrous- in the sense that it represents a deviation from that which is natural. How else, Brabantio asks, would Desdemona, so carefully, have brought such scandal upon herself and her father by shunning, the wealthy curled darlings of our nation"(Act 1 Scene 2 Line 68). Desdemona arrives and gently resolves the dispute by acknowledging split loyalties to her father and to her new husband, but making it clear that she now belongs to Othello. For the play being set in the late sixteenth century, Desdemona's defense of her actions is remarkably fo
As Iago reminded Othello in Act 3 Scene 3 the faithless wife is a well-known member of Venetian society. "In Venice wives do not let even God see the pranks. They dare not show their husbands"(Act 3 Scene 3 Line 202). This proves that even if it is going to be through lying. These three women will get their business equally done as men do. Emilia is Iago's young and attractive outspoken wife. She is a agent in the plot of Desdemona's death. Many times has Emilia been asked to steal Desdemona's handkerchief by her husband. She knows how deeply Desdemona treasures it, but recalls that Iago has asked her many times for it. When the opportunity comes, Emilia steals it for her husband. When Desdemona questions Emilia about the handkerchief Emilia answers with a lie "I know not, madam"(Act 3 Scene 4 Line 24). Even after Desdemona explains the importance of the handkerchief. Emilia still sticks to her lie. Emilia knows that she has found the handkerchief and has given it to Iago. Even during Othello's questioning she remains silent. Act 3 Scene 4 shows Emilia's cynicism towards men as she asks Desdemona about her husband's display of temper. Emilia believes that no women can be certain of her husband; to her, all men are egocentric-"they are all but stomachs and we all but food; they eat us hungry, and when they are full they belch us"(Act 3 Scene 4 Line 104). In Act 4 Scene 4 Emilia is given a chance to redeem herself when she has the opportunity to speak of Desdemona's faithfulness towards Othello. Emilia is firm in her answers; she has never seen anything improper nor heard anything t
Some common words found in the essay are:
Brabantio Desdemona, Bianca Emilia, Othello Emilia, Emilia Iago's, Iago Othello's, Cassio Bianca, Shakespeares Othello, Othello Act, Using Desdemona, Senator Brabantio, 3 scene, scene 4, 3 scene 4, scene 3, scene 3 line, desdemona's death, desdemona's handkerchief, scene 2, 4 line, 3 line, scene 4 line, daughter venetian senator, remains silent, scene 2 line, jealous mistress,
Approximate Word count = 1073
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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