Katie
Kennedy and Kristen Tsoubanos
Various genders have different roles in today’s society. There are many stereotypes that adhere and to the characters in Othello. Desdemona is the leading lady in this play and, with her maid Emilia, they both do not fit the stereotype of typical, naïve women who are too wrapped up in their lover’s lives to realize what is going on around them. The women in this play are much more confident and are able to speak their minds to their husband’s when necessary. They challenge the stereotypes made by their husband’s about not being loyal or bright enough to state an opinion. However, the men in the play Othello, adhere to their stereotypes of being masculine, controlling, vulgar, womanizing, and demanding. The gender roles in the play, Othello, may differ from each other, but that doesn’t mean that their stereotypes are not evident. Both genders must face criticizing and slanderous remarks regarding themselves and their genders, but they react to them in different ways throughout the play.
Generally, the women in the play, Othello, are not considered weak or naïve, but strong and intellectual. There are many instances where Desdemona and Emilia challenge the stereotypes made by their husbands. An example of this is in act 5 scene 2, when Emilia screams “I will not charm my tongue. I am bound to speak” (Othello 251). This statement made by Emilia symbolizes not only the heat of the moment, but the underlying concern of having rights and being able to voice her opinions. Emilia is a character that does not wish to be silenced and wants to live her life freely, despite her husband’s manipulative efforts to keep her in his control. Also, Desdemona has challenged the stereotype of being weak and naïve, because she does not take kindly to her husband’s vicious accusations about her having an affair. Desdemona defends herself and her actions by stating “I never did offend you in my life, never loved Cassio but with such general warranty of heaven as I might love. I never gave him token” (Othello 241). This statement proves that Desdemona is strong and can stand up for who she is and what she believes in. Overall, Emilia and Desdemona do not fit the classic personas of so-called weak women from this time period.
In addition to the female stereotypes, there are many male stereotypes that still exist in today’s society. The men in Othello adhere to the stereotypes of displaying masculinity, manipulation, control, jealousy, and rage. They fit the profile of typical macho men in this time period. Also, they talk about women in a discriminating and prejudicial way. Some of the men in the play, Othello, use words like “strumpet”, “black”, “foul”, and “fond” to describe their women, which in modern day society translates into slanderous and vulgar terms. The men in Othello are all controlling in various areas of their lives, particularly women. Because of this, women challenge their stereotypes regarding weakness if they are bold, and other women do not defend themselves at all because they are puppets and their strings are being pulled. Othello, Iago, and Cassio are all manipulative to certain degrees. They take situations for what they are and mold them into scenarios that did not necessarily occur. The same thing goes for manipulating people. In the text, Iago makes a remark in his ending soliloquy about manipulation and he states “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. For I mine own gained knowledge should profane if I would time expand with such (a) snipe but for my sport and profit” (Othello 55). By saying this, Iago is demonstrating his need for control and how he believes that with his “own gained knowledge” he can benefit from manipulating those around him. Iago also believes that he can benefit in “sport and profit”. This behavior from Iago demonstrates how the men in this play think and what they are willing to do to get what they want and to indirectly fulfill the stereotype of masculinity and control.
In summation, the men and women in the play, Othello, are products of gender stereotypes that have dominated society since the dawn of time. In the play, they must react to the stereotypes bestowed upon them and play the roles that their genders require. Some characters tend to adhere and challenge the stereotypes that they supposedly represent, but their true character is shown not just by image and reputation, but by the reaction of the characters towards that reputation.
Various genders have different roles in today’s society. There are many stereotypes that adhere and to the characters in Othello. Desdemona is the leading lady in this play and, with her maid Emilia, they both do not fit the stereotype of typical, naïve women who are too wrapped up in their lover’s lives to realize what is going on around them. The women in this play are much more confident and are able to speak their minds to their husband’s when necessary. They challenge the stereotypes made by their husband’s about not being loyal or bright enough to state an opinion. However, the men in the play Othello, adhere to their stereotypes of being masculine, controlling, vulgar, womanizing, and demanding. The gender roles in the play, Othello, may differ from each other, but that doesn’t mean that their stereotypes are not evident. Both genders must face criticizing and slanderous remarks regarding themselves and their genders, but they react to them in different ways throughout the play.
Generally, the women in the play, Othello, are not considered weak or naïve, but strong and intellectual. There are many instances where Desdemona and Emilia challenge the stereotypes made by their husbands. An example of this is in act 5 scene 2, when Emilia screams “I will not charm my tongue. I am bound to speak” (Othello 251). This statement made by Emilia symbolizes not only the heat of the moment, but the underlying concern of having rights and being able to voice her opinions. Emilia is a character that does not wish to be silenced and wants to live her life freely, despite her husband’s manipulative efforts to keep her in his control. Also, Desdemona has challenged the stereotype of being weak and naïve, because she does not take kindly to her husband’s vicious accusations about her having an affair. Desdemona defends herself and her actions by stating “I never did offend you in my life, never loved Cassio but with such general warranty of heaven as I might love. I never gave him token” (Othello 241). This statement proves that Desdemona is strong and can stand up for who she is and what she believes in. Overall, Emilia and Desdemona do not fit the classic personas of so-called weak women from this time period.
In addition to the female stereotypes, there are many male stereotypes that still exist in today’s society. The men in Othello adhere to the stereotypes of displaying masculinity, manipulation, control, jealousy, and rage. They fit the profile of typical macho men in this time period. Also, they talk about women in a discriminating and prejudicial way. Some of the men in the play, Othello, use words like “strumpet”, “black”, “foul”, and “fond” to describe their women, which in modern day society translates into slanderous and vulgar terms. The men in Othello are all controlling in various areas of their lives, particularly women. Because of this, women challenge their stereotypes regarding weakness if they are bold, and other women do not defend themselves at all because they are puppets and their strings are being pulled. Othello, Iago, and Cassio are all manipulative to certain degrees. They take situations for what they are and mold them into scenarios that did not necessarily occur. The same thing goes for manipulating people. In the text, Iago makes a remark in his ending soliloquy about manipulation and he states “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse. For I mine own gained knowledge should profane if I would time expand with such (a) snipe but for my sport and profit” (Othello 55). By saying this, Iago is demonstrating his need for control and how he believes that with his “own gained knowledge” he can benefit from manipulating those around him. Iago also believes that he can benefit in “sport and profit”. This behavior from Iago demonstrates how the men in this play think and what they are willing to do to get what they want and to indirectly fulfill the stereotype of masculinity and control.
In summation, the men and women in the play, Othello, are products of gender stereotypes that have dominated society since the dawn of time. In the play, they must react to the stereotypes bestowed upon them and play the roles that their genders require. Some characters tend to adhere and challenge the stereotypes that they supposedly represent, but their true character is shown not just by image and reputation, but by the reaction of the characters towards that reputation.