Masculinity Of Women In Othello's Jealousy

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Masculinity and the male-dominated Venetian society play a major role in Othello's jealousy. During the sixteenth century, men typically ruled society, especially in Italy. Women were typically submissive. Desdemona and Emilia, the two main women in the play, are both benevolent figures. Desdemona must deal with Othello's jealousy and Emilia must deal with Iago and all of his hatred. The gender roles can be clearly noticed during the interactions between Desdemona and her father and between her and Othello. Desdemona is berated for going behind her father's back and marrying her love. She is scolded and branded as a whore by Othello despite doing anything wrong. This culture creates social tensions that "produce the masculine subject" …show more content…

. . bells in . . . parlors" they are secretly "wild-cats . . . in kitchens . . . devils being offended" and "players in [their] housewifery" (II.1.897) As his rage slowly builds up, Othello is seen "[s]triking" Desdemona in an abusive manner (IV.1.2681). This is the first time in the play when Othello acts physically violent towards Desdemona and this patriarchal society allows his "uncontrolled emotions of guilt and desire . . . become manifest in his violent and jealous rage towards his wife" (LaBlanc 1). Envy and humiliation "register the injustices of social regard" these are also emotions that are of interest to "psychoanalysts, political scientists, and philosophers" (Ferguson 889). Othello's situation definitely consists of these two emotions. Along with the fear of losing, he also fears humiliation, as he does not want to be labeled as a "cuckold" (4.1.2631). Envy, unlike many other sins, "envy centers less on objects than on the nature of social relationship in general" (Ferguson 890). In Iago's case, envy arose from social unfairness, as Othello chose Cassio over him. This negative emotion causes people to act out in aggression. In Iago's case, he killed Roderigo, Emilia, and caused Othello to kill

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