¶ … Role of Women in Othello
The Conflicting Female Role in Shakespeare's Othello
In Shakespeare's Othello, women are in a state of turmoil. On the one hand, the women in the play have to remain obedient to the subservient standards of life as a female in the 15th and 16th centuries in Europe. Yet, on the other hand, there are signs of a new, strong and independent female emerging within Shakespeare's characters. In Othello, Shakespeare juxtaposes the characteristics of the traditional, obedient woman with a new, more independent one. Desdemona's willing death at the hand of her husband illustrates Shakespeare's suggestion that strictly following these outdated gender norms will only lead to individual destruction; while Emilia, and her more independent ways stands up against her husband's ill will.
To understand the role of women in the play, it is first important to see how they are viewed by the men in Othello. From a male perspective, the women of the play are pretty black and white. They are either beautiful creatures to be idealized, as Cassio does with Desdemona, or spiteful demons to be hated, as Iago seems to hate women so much. Iago even goes as far as to say that woman are "pictures out of doors, bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, saints in you injuries, devils being offended, players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds" (Shakespeare 2.1.111-114). When the women behave as they are supposed to, the male characters are content with them in the context of the play. Othello is happy with his new wife while he thinks she is behaving. Yet, when the women get too far from their expected role, the men turn against them fiercely. Othello even goes as far as to murder his wife when he thinks she has cheated on him and brought shame and scandal to his name. After killing his wife, he says, "O curse marriage, that we can call these delicate creatures and not their appetites! I had rather be a toad and live upon the vapor of a dungeon than keep a corner in the thing I love...
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