Othello Gender Roles

Othello has many controversial topics embedded into the play. Along with racism, gender roles is a large part of the story of Othello. Desdemona, Othello's wife has a tendency to show her independence. In Act 3, Scene 3 when she tries to use her femininity and significance to Othello to pardon Cassio is but one example of Desdemona making her independence known. however for Desdemona, she is also thought of as property to her father which is seen in the beginning of Act 1. Emilia plays the common role of a wife in Shakespeare's time as she submits to Iago and does what he wants. She does not advocate for herself and is very passive making her easy to control. Bianca defies the role of someone of her position (prostitute) around this time. She speaks for herself and demands the love and attention of Cassio, holding her own in a world of powerful and demanding men.

Othello is very much fitting of his role in society regarding his gender. Although he seems to completely adore Desdemona, he bashes her both in front of Emilia and Lodovico and in private, especially about her and Cassio. Along with Othello, Iago plays a stereotypical man of the time as he is manipulative and controlling towards Emilia. In general he makes a fool of many women throughout the play. Brabantio fits his role as a father of the time as he is very protective and takes action against his daughter marrying someone he does not want her to marry. To him, Desdemona is property. Roderigo is obsessed with Desdemona and fulfills the "knight in shining armor" role of a man in Shakespeare's time. Cassio is much different as he respects the women in the play even though he has a hard time loving Bianca.