Iago paints for Othello not simply a negative picture of Desdemona, but of an entire society where men are cuckolded: "that cuckold lives in bliss/Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger...I know our country disposition well; / in Venice they do let heaven see the pranks/They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience/Is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown" (3.3). Iago, ironically, even uses the fact that Desdemona loved and married the Moor against her chastity, echoing Brabatino's rhyme: "She did deceive her father, marrying you" (3.3). However, Iago adds a terrifying, seemingly strange reading of Othello's wooing with words of Othello's military deeds: "And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks, / She loved them most" (3.3). In other words, women really crave a strong military man who is violent towards their bodies, rather than a tender and loving man who is respectful of their honor, and if they do not have a violent man, they will seek this male violence through infidelity.
This suggestion is belied by Emilia's misery, as she cries out against the injustice "say they strike us" and uses male oppression as a justification for her own possible or simply imagined infidelity to Iago: "have not we affections, / Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?" (4.3). In response to Emilia, Desdemona makes a plea, not based in the rhetoric of gender but humanity. This makes her unique of almost all of the characters in the play, as even Cassio shows a lack of respect towards a woman who loves him, Bianca, simply because she is a prostitute. "...heaven me such uses send, / Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!" says Desdemona, in other words, let me heal rather than turn against my husband in vengeance, as Emilia counsels me to do. (Emilia's vengeance makes her a good 'match' for Iago, even though she is basically a positively portrayed...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now