The Misjudging Of Women In Shakespeare's Othello

Throughout Shakespeare's play, Othello, the mistreatment and misjudging of women is a reoccurring event. The mistreatment and misjudging of the women, in particular Bianca, Emilia, and Desdemona, is demonstrated by every character throughout. The mistreatment is shown through stereotyping, accusations and abuse. The use of stereotyping is mostly used against Bianca.

Bianca is considered to be Cassio’s mistress. Throughout the play, she is seen being degraded due to her occupation as a prostitute. As quoted by Iago, Bianca is “A huswife that by selling her desires buys herself bread and [clothes]” (4.1.94-5.). Using this statement proves that the men, such as Iago and Cassio, look down on her due to her morals. Another example is Cassio mocking

Iago’s describes his wife and other women as, “you are pictures out [a’ doors], bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens, saints in your injuries, devils being offended, playings in your huswifery and huswives in your bed. (2.1.109-12).” This quote is describing women as being quiet in public but when seen in their own home they become wild. They put on a big show about their housework in general and allegedly in bed. He makes the point in saying that women, including his wife, are whores. Another instance in which Iago uses the stereotype against women being whores is when stating he does not like Othello. Iago states that “and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets [H’as] done my office. I know not if’t be true, but I, for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety. (1.3.387-90).” This suggests Emilia had cheated on Iago with Othello, although none of that is true. The stereotype is so alive that Iago believes in the rumor right away even though he was the one who thought of it. The cheating stereotype is well aware to the women. In Emilia’s monologue, Desdemona is told her reasoning as to why women cheat. She explains that women cheat because husband’s; can not satisfy, abuse and decrease the allowance for their wives. Emilias view point suggests that she has endured the three statements and therefore has possibly cheats although it is

Desdemona is pure and sees cheating as wrong, however, because she is a women she is still stereotyped and degraded. Desdemona is seen being degraded by her father and Iago after getting married to Othello. Iago firstly implies that Desdemona, Brabantio's property, had run away and gotten married. Brabantio insists that Desdemona was put under a spell by Othello by saying, “if she in chains of magic were not bound, whether a maid so tender,fair and happy, so opposite to marriage that she shunn’d the wealthy curled [darlings] of our nation… abus’d her delicate youth with drugs or minerals that weakens motion. (1.2.63-68;74-75).” This statement shows that Brabantio does not believe Desdemona to decide who she is to marry since she had rejected the wealthy, attractive men. Brabantio warns Othello that because she deceived him that he is bound to deceive Othello. This is sensed through cheating and also foreshadows Othello’s believing in the lie. This accusation is later reestablished by Iago “she did deceive her father, marrying you, (3.3. 206).” Desdemona also is subject to verbal and physical abuse by her husband. She is often called a devil and a whore. In act four scene one, Othello the strikes. Desdemona quickly fires back by saying “I have not deserv’d this. (4.1.241).” in which she had