Othello- Personal Reflection-View of Women

"If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit, The one's for use, the other useth it." II.i.139-130


I think the way the different characters view and treat women says a lot about who the characters are. Iago is a very self-centered character and views women as objects. He states that women are only good to "suckle fools and chronicle small beer". He thinks that women are good for making babies and belong in the home, meaning he doesn't value their opinion at all. Cassio is a very noble and loyal character. He treats women with respect and holds Desdemona's hand when speaking to her. Also, Othello is a very respectful and honest man and didn't trick or seduce Desdemona, but made her fall in love with him with his stories. This showed that he respected women and didn't just use them for sex, he actually loves Desdemona. The way the husbands treat their wives also affects the women's views of themselves. Emilio is treated poorly by Iago so she has a hard time standing up for herself and giving herself more credit. Desdemona has been treated right by Othello and her father so she isn't afraid to stand up for herself and view herself as more than an object. She is quick to question Iago when he criticizes women. 

Othello- Question 4

"He takes her by the palm. Aye, well said, whisper. With as little as web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Aye, smile upon her, do, I will gyve thee in thine own courtship." II.i.165-167


I think dramatic suspense is created through the fact that the characters are unaware of Iago's true motives. When Othello comes to see what happened between Montano and Cassio, it is suspenseful to see how Iago will handle the situation because he is manipulating all three characters. The audience knows a lot more information than the characters. Iago is only truthful with the audience so only the audience knows that Iago is really an evil character with immoral motives. I think the effect of the contrast is that the audience anticipates every move Iago will make. They witness Iago's schemes to get Othello to think that Cassio and Desdemona are sleeping together so they look forward to see exactly how Iago will convince Othello to believe this. The fact that the audience knows more than the characters makes the audience almost angry at the characters when they fall for Iago's tricks. I think it makes the audience more involved in the play because they are almost a part of it. 

Othello- Act I/Act II- Question 3

"I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets He's done my office. I know not if't be true, But I for mere suspicion in that kind Will do as if for surety." I.iii.366-370

In Othello, the protagonist is Othello and the antagonist is Iago. Iago is clearly jealous of Othello and is plotting against him throughout the play. I think two foil characters are Emilia and Desdemona. Emilia is very passive and allows herself to be treated poorly by men, especially Iago. Desdemona on the other hand stands up for Emilia and questions Iago when he criticizes women. She wants to be treated as more than an object. When criticized, Emilia only quietly says, "You shall not write my praise" (II.i.116) while Desdemona says, "Oh, fie upon thee, slanderer!" (II.i.113). The minor characters help create suspense and drive the plot. Roderigo's love for Desdemona allows Iago to initiate a fight between Roderigo and Cassio. Cassio's need for Othello to forgive him and Desdemona's kindheartedness allows Iago to convince Othello that there is something going on between Cassio and Desdemona. Almost all of the minor characters assist Iago in plotting against Othello. Their feelings and actions create Iago's plan and evil motives to gain power and dethrone others.