The Role of Women in Othello by William Shakespeare

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The Role of Women in Othello by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Othello is commonly regarded as a work depicting man's ability to use his reason towards evil intentions. A lowly ancient in a general's army is able to destroy him through manipulation and deceit. But although Iago's deceit of Othello is undoubtedly a central theme in the play, another theme regarding the nature of the man towards woman is apparent. Shakespeare's Othello suggests that men mistreat women because women, as a sex, allow themselves to be mistreated.

The mistreatment of women by their men occurs throughout the play. The main characters view their wives or significant others as inferiors and usually merely as objects of lust and physical desire. This misogynistic view is reflected in some form or other by all of the main characters. Iago is the most misogynistic of the men. He considers love to be "merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will." (1.3.377-378) He also believes all women are whores who "rise to play, and go to bed to work." (2.1.127) Iago's misogyny is manifested in the treatment of his wife. He seems to have only unkind words for his wife, and even kills her when she exposes his double-dealing plot at the end of the play. The other two male characters also mistreat their women. Cassio appears to have no real feelings for Bianca. He is a lady's man, and therefore cannot be concerned with such things as true love. Even Othello, the one character who truly loves his wife, mistreats Desdemona. He ends up suffocating her because he believes she has been unfaithful to him. The fact that Othello, a noble and loving husband, mistreats his wife illustrates the general contempt and misogyny that the men feel throughout ...

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...f the Courtier during the Renaissance, there was no real societal consequence for husbands that mistreated their wives. On the contrary, women were regarded as the property of their men and thus, could be treated in anyway the husband saw fit. The concept of equality among both of the sexes is one that truly emerged only at the start of the 20th century. Change in the society's view of women only came about when women began to speak out against their mistreatment and inferiority.

Thus, through his play, Shakespeare comments on a generally accepted societal view of his day. Through the interactions of his characters, Shakespeare brings to light the mistreatment of women by men and also shows how women did not resist this mistreatment. Shakespeare's extremely progressive view on women in society is another testament to his genius and talent as a playwright.

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