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Essay On The Betrayal Of Women In Othello

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Emilia’s opinion about the betrayal expresses a contemporary view of the relationship between the sexes. Even though it might be hard for us to really connect to this today but during the Elizabethan era, these were more than just views, it was the harsh reality of how men and women treated each other. Othello is a book that successfully portrays this relationship. In the book Othello, Emilia states, “ Tis not a year or two shows us a man; They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; To eat us hungrily, and when they are full, They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband” (3.4.92-95).Emilia’s statement clearly suggests what it is like to be a woman during her time and how men would treat them. In other words, men only see woman as a toy for sex; men used them whenever they wanted and threw them away like trash after they’re done. In fact Iago, Emilia’s husband thinks this way too, as he once states what he thinks of women, he says, “Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk: You rise to play and go to bed to work” (2.1.114-115).He believes that women act and play as a lady and a housewife during the day and they work hard to please men during the nights and that’s their only job and responsibility. To be specific woman was considered dumb and why not? They never got education as it was a taboo in the English society.
Likewise, in Elizabethan Era, women were raised to believe that they were …show more content…

Her opinions illustrate the sexism present during her time and also during the Elizabethan era. Even though we have gender equality and racial equality in America today, some of us still face sexism and racism at some point of our life. And there are parts of the world where male are still regarded superior than women and all these things from the past are still happening to this day. Emilia shows us the reality of the relationship between male and

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In Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, women are portrayed as either pure angelic beings and jewels, or as whores who are impure. They are objectified and shown as something to be used. The only women in this play are Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca compared to the main 6 male characters, not to mention the minor characters, who are also all male. Their depicted purpose is to belong to a man; Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca’s lives revolve around being wives to Othello, Iago and Cassio. This fits into the idea of a perfect Elizabethan woman, who’s lives are subject to their husband’s rule across all aspects, to be disposed of as men wish.

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Emilia was also involved in the problem which ended her life in a matter of minutes. Once Iago had no other than to confess Othello finally realized what a big of a mistake he had committed. He as well decides to end his life by stabbing himself. Othello, being one of the main characters in ‘Othello’, had been tricked and deceived by Iago, Emilia’s husband.

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