Othello

Women in Othello are very profound. They are very dependent on their men. During the 16th Century, women were traditional and accustomed to being submissive to their men/husband. Desdemona secretly married Othello a "Moor" (a black man). She is devoted to her husband, and respects and obeys his wishes. Even though Othello can be cruel to Desdemona, his wife Desdemona responds to her husband in a way that she gets her point across, and still respects Othello. Women during the 16th century were not highly honored by men. During that time women in Othello were very dependent on men.

Desdemona father has learned that she has married Othello. Her father Senator Brabinto is very furious. Desdemona has come to confront her father:

"How to respect you. You are the Lord of duty; I am hitherto your daughter. But he's my husband, and you, preferring you before her father, So much I challenge that I may profess. Due to the Moor my Lord"(lit.act1sceneIII v186-91)

Desdemona is saying she loves and respects her father the same as her mother did, but she also respects her husband, and will stand by Othello.

Emilia's is the wife of Iago. Emilia is cynical, and a worldly woman. She speaks as though she understands and knows men very well. To Emilia men are callous and betraying. They want whatever they can not have, and what they have they do not want. Her relationship with her husband is unworthy. Iago lies and will do anything to get what he wants. Emilia is asked by her husband to steal a handkerchief of her mistress (a maid), Desdemona. Emilia refuses to do such a thing. She love Desdemona and would never hurt her. Coincidently Emilia found the handkerchief lying on the floor. She surprised Iago with the handkerchief, and he is well pleased. Emilia's regard for Othello is unpleasant. She realizes that Othello is very jealous towards Desdemona, his wife, and she does not like how he speaks to Desdemona.

"Is he not jealous" (lit act III scene1 v 22)

"'Tis not a year or two show us a man. They are but stomach, and we all but food; they eat us hungerly; and when they are full they belch us" (act III scene4 v 99-102)

Emilia is stating that when men bellies are full and they had enough to eat they move on to the next meal.

Bianca, a very fair looking woman, and is only mentioned in small detail. She is considered to be a prostitute. Cassio, Bianca's lover has left a handkerchief behind from their previous night together and now she is very jealous.

" Bianca's active, open-eyed enduring affection is similar to that of the other woman. She neither romanticize love nor degrade sex"(act III scene4 199)

Bianca is no fool, and has discovered that Cassio has lied. She mocks him just as he laughs behind her back. Though she is believed to be a prostitute, she is no whore. She has morals just as

Emilia. All Bianca mats is to be loved and respected without the feeling of unworthiness.

Women were empowered by their men. They had been betrayed by them. Cassio betrayed Bianca, Desdemona's husband Othello showed jealousy,