Othello

4 Pages 1124 Words

Reeti Choudhury
Ms.Cerrini
English 11 AC
16 October 2004
Othello:
Questions that lead to a Gender Approach
Throughout history, it has been said that “behind every successful man, there is a woman’s hand.” “ O heavy ignorance thou praisest the worse best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed- one that in the authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?.” (Shakespeare 35) This quote is the main idea of feminism in most work that Shakespeare portrays. This quote happens to be portrayed in Shakespeare’s Othello. In William Shakespeare’s works, female characters represent the foundations upon which the climax is built.
“ Do not doubt that; before Emilia here I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee, If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it….” (Shakespeare 57) This quote shows how although women are considered less than men, they still have a right to express themselves. Women in Othello, are portrayed as secondary to the male characters. “Yet I beseech you, if you think fit, or that it may be done, Give me advantage of some brief discourse, With Desdemona alone.” (Shakespeare 56) This quote is said by Cassio, when he needs help from Emilia, so he could try to get his job back. You can notice that the women aren’t being portrayed as bad or evil in Othello, but they are portrayed as someone that could be trusted. This following quote also shows how women were portrayed as to be secondary (meaning although they were looked up to they were not thought of as to be as smart as a male character):
“Emilia. Villany, villainy, villainy! I think upon’t-
I think I smell’t!- O villainy!
I thought so then.- I’ll kill myself for
grief.-O villainy, villainy!
Iago. What are ...