In Shakespeares Othello, three different types of women are portrayed.

Each comes to harm because of her association with a man. Discuss the validity of this statement. In many of his plays, Shakespeare often creates some sort of tension and separation within the relationships of men and women. In Othello, he conveys three very different types of women who have relations with three distinct men. Shakespeare causes harm to each woman induced by these associations. By doing so, the different types of men are depicted, in respect to their appreciation towards women. The fair Desdemona is suffocated by her husband because of her devotion to him. Similarly, the more cynical Emilia is also killed also by her husband, Iago; however it results from the lack of love she carried for him. The casual Bianca receives a broken heart from her uncaring lover, Cassio. The characters of each Othello, Iago, and Cassio are revealed through the breakdown of the women characters. Desdemona, the most well rounded and reasonable woman in the play, comes to harm because of her faithfulness to her husband. She is the perfect wife that all men desire. This flawlessness as a wife could be the reason why Othello doubts her fidelity. He cannot accept the fact that he, the Moor, has won such an immaculate wife. His unnecessary insecurity leads to his destructive jealousy. In addition to Othellos self-doubts, Desdemona is much too devoted and nave about the truth of reality. This is evident when she asks Emilia, That there be women do abuse their husbands/ In such gross kind? (4.3.64-65). This truly reflects her devotion and shows that she is not at all aware of Othellos jealousy, even at the end of the play. She believes Othello trusts her as much as she trusts him, which is not the case. Because of this, she is too open and careless with Cassio. She asks very desperately to persuade Othello to let Cassio stay in Cyprus: Why then, tomorrow night or Tuesday morn. / On Tuesday noon, or night, or Wednesday morn (3.3.60-61). Othello misinterprets this gesture of kindness as one triggered by a secret affair.

Ultimately, her faithfulness to Othello and her generosity to Cassio results in her death. This is quite ironic, and suggests that it is not Desdemona, but the faults of the men that lead to such a tragic ending. Desdemona is oblivious of Othellos jealousy from start to finish, and dies without knowing the cause. This creates a great pain of guiltlessness inside of her, and her physical death corresponds to this inner torture. Her fall as an innocent victim exposes Othellos insecurity and paranoia, the true character of the, valiant Othello (1.3.49). Although Othello does hold true love for Desdemona, he is blinded by his mistaken jealousy. In brief, Desdemonas tragic ending is from the result of her character and her adherence to her husband. Contrary to Desdemona, Emilia has a more pessimistic view of men, which is the cause of her downfall. She does not value Iago as much as Desdemona values Othello. This is apparent in her description, They are all but stomachs, and we all but food. / to eat us hungerly, and when they are full, / they belch us (3.4.99-101). This is a more realistic perspective of men than Desdemonas, which displays Emilias prudent character. On the other hand, there is one instance where she puts her husband before all else, which ultimately kills Desdemona. Emilia steals Desdemonas handkerchief for her husband, even though she knows it is most adored by her. Although she never exposes it to any other characters, this indicates that Emilia still has some allegiance towards Iago, enough for her to betray her mistress. This is the one small flaw of Emilias independent character. However, her true devotions are shown in the end when she finally reveals the truth: She gave it to Cassio? No, alas, I found it / And I did givet my husband (5.2.244-245). This declaration of Desdemonas innocence is what results in Emilias murder. Even though Desdemona is dead, Emilia demonstrates her betrayal towards Iago which suggests that conclusively, she does not carry any duty to her husband, despite her one mistake. Both Emilia and Desdemona come to harm emotionally and physically, induced by their husbands. The

main reason for this is due to the amount of love they carried for them; Desdemona is too faithful and becomes blinded by her love, while Emilia bears no love from start to finish. This proves that Othello and Iago are also complete opposites of each other in respect to their recognition towards women, similar to Desdemona and Emilia about men. Throughout the play, Iago ignores Emilia as a whole, and uses her to advance his plans to destroy Othello. However, when Emilia interferes with his personal goal, he immediately stabs her without hesitation. This reflects upon Iagos lack of respect and negligence towards women. Both Emilia and Iago are both very independent of each other, which results in Emilias betrayal and subsequently, her death. Despite her limited appearances in the play, Bianca still has an important role: to represent women more open and casual with men. Harm comes to her from Cassio, but in a much different way than Desdemona and Emilia. In her first appearance, one can see that she is already hurt emotionally and jealous, evident in her words to Cassio when given the gift of the handkerchief, This is some token from a newer friend! / To the felt absence now I feel a cause. / Ist come to this? (3.4.175-177). These words also indicate that she is very quick to come to a conclusion, that Cassio is not faithful. Her fast assumption of Cassio cheating with another woman suggests that she is quite insecure, and has had this type of experience with men before, which reflect on her spontaneous personality. Bianca has not known Cassio for very long, yet she acts as though she is in a serious relationship with him. This suggests that she is a bit irrational and frivolous with men. This corresponds to the personality of her supposed lover. Cassio is careless around women and it is clear that he does not take Bianca seriously, apparent in his facetious remarks to Iago, So hangs and lolls and weeps upon me, so shakes, and pulls me! Ha, ha, ha! (4.1.133-134). It is not positively clear whether Bianca has true feelings for Cassio or not, yet it does not seem to matter to him. He is negligent of Bianca even when she is around. Both Cassio and Bianca are the more

nonchalant and unserious type of lovers, yet Cassio is a bit more extreme, and thus results in the emotional damage in Bianca. In brief, the three different types of women in Othello are portrayed by the essential characters of Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca. Desdemona is sincere but much too faithful; Emilia is wise yet disloyal, while Bianca is too open and affective. Although their personalities substantially differ, their association with a man leads them to only one path: suffering. The three contrasting men react to each of their situations in detrimental ways, which result in the inevitable damage that come to the corresponding women characters. In conclusion, one can see that in Shakespeares tragedy, Othello, each of the calamitous endings are brought about to the three women due to their different personalities and their affiliation with a man.

Othello Essay: Prompt #1

Word Count: 1,216

Jackie Baek January 18, 2010 ENG3UE-03 Mr. Vitzthum