The role of women in “Othello”

Gender Discrimination in Othello

Othello is a manifestation of gender discrimination prevailing at that time . It clearly refer to sexism that is not only inclined toward male chauvinism but also a degraded social status of women in the contemporary society . All three major female characters of the play epitomize this gender discrimination and manifest female victimization These three characters represent three different classes and illustrate that gender discrimination and maltreatment of women were not subjected to social class as it prevalent from rascals to royals

Shakespearean tragedy has two distinct portions

with regard to gender bias and discrimination . In the first half of the play , women are portrayed with glowing colors and not negative terminology or abuses are attributed to them . Reader is little equipped to digest the abuses and gender discrimination in the second half and he become accustomed to eulogies and praises that are directed toward women . For example Cassio eulogize "divine " Desdemona while waiting for sips (2 .1 .60-73 . He further shows regret and unwillingness to contribute to Iago 's "gutter talk " about Desdemona . Later Othello speaks positively of his mistress at reunion and put across his elevated praise of her "I cannot speak enough of this content

It stops me here it is too much of joy (1 .2 .196-197

The only character that shows malice against women is Iago . But it does not seem that gender discrimination is weaved in the patterns of the society but it seems coming out of Iago 's devious and diabolical figure Again his sole objective seems to undermine Desdemona 's faithfulness So no other character verbalizes anything abusive about the female gender in the first two Acts

The conversation between women characters (between Emilia and Desdemona also symbolizes the social generalization about women and their status in the society . Emilia is in the tradition of the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet- a character who is coarse-minded , earthy but devotedly to her mistress . Her being a companion to Desdemona enables her to reveal not only her own wide experience of the world but also to highlight Desdemona 's innocence and idealism . The commonsensical realism of Emilia provides a refreshing contrast to Desdemona 's unpractical idealism

Her very first dialogue in the play indicates the matrimonial and domestic she was suffering from . Her response to Iago 's comments

I find it still , when I have list to sleep /Marry , before your ladyship , I grant /She puts her tongue a little in her heart /And chides with thinking (II . I 891-894 )she says "You have little cause to say so (II .i .895 . The critic Adamson is of the view that "She knows . it is less painful to suffer his scornful abuse than to challenge and try to change him (247 . So her silence and so short a reply is tool to hide herself in her own cocoon and an agonizing acknowledgement of triviality in the domestic sphere

Desdemona believes that Emilia would not commit adultery for the whole world . Emilia...