Homosexuality In Othello

As time progresses, social norms and societal conventions evolve to accommodate to modern times. The progression of social norms can be seen through literature as it often addresses the views of people at the time. Due to this, frequently newer generations are unable to comprehend old literature as they exhibit foreign and conservative values. However, Shakespearean plays are studied and read even today because he demonstrates familiar themes or values about human nature that resonate with us in our modern day world, thus being known as a timeless classic. Shakespear’s Othello can also be viewed as a timeless classic as it subtly addresses homosexuality which allows people in the twenty-first century to relate to the play as homosexuality

The relationship between Iago and Emilia can be seen when Iago discusses with Cassio that if Emilia gave her “lips” (2.1.100) as much as her “tongue” (2.1.101) he would have enough of her. The lips depicts the intimate aspects of a relationship such as kissing, Iago suggests that their relationship lacks intimacy. Tongues help us speak and form sounds, therefore through the mention of the tongue I infer that the couple bickers and argues more often than show affection towards each other. Iago is sexually and emotionally detached from Emilia. When people are dissatisfied with their relationship they seek sexual or emotional support outside of their relationship, thus causing him to seek a romantic relationship with a male counterpart. I do not think that Iago would wish to pursue a relationship with another woman as his remarks reveal he looks down upon women. He thinks that women are “picture out of door” (2.1.108) but in truth are noisy as “bells” (2.1.108), suggesting that women create the image of perfection and poise but in the house they are noisy and disturbing similar to a bell. A bell also has an alarming and annoying sound, Iago views women’s noisiness as being disturbing and irritating like a bell. When Iago proposes that women appear to be picture perfect in public he could also be referring to himself. Iago creates the mirage of an obedient male