Use Of Sexism In Othello

Iago’s perplexities game

Sexist language in Shakespeare's Othello exposes the insidious power dynamics between men and women in the play. Throughout the play, Iago’s use of sexist language and manipulation results in a dismantled relationship, trust issues, and the loss of innocent people, demonstrating devastating consequences that are rooted in prejudice and misogyny. This portrayal of Iago’s tactics reminds us that harmful remarks and stereotypes have a lasting effect on societies, emphasizing the need for inclusiveness and trustworthy companions.

Iago's frequent use of sexist and derogatory language towards women not only reveals his own misogynistic beliefs but demonstrates the harmful impact of sexist language in perpetuating harmful

After Brabantio is woken up in the middle of the night to join the others in being presented to the Duke, Othello chooses to speak directly to the Duke. He says, “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them”(1.3.193-194). The first part of the quote, "She loved me for the dangers I had passed," suggests that Desdemona is attracted to Othello because of his bravery and experiences. It implies that Othello's reputation as a warrior made him attractive to Desdemona and that she admired him and fell in love with him because of that. The second half of the quote, “And I loved her that she did pity them”, indicates that Othello was attracted to Desdemona because she pitied him for the dangers that he had gone through, and her kindness and compassion had gotten to him. Othello’s words show the mutual respect and love that they have for each other, but, their relationship gets torn apart by Iago’s manipulation of Othello, leaving their relationship in a torn mess. Towards the end of Act 3, Iago and Othello's finish conversing about Desdemona’s disloyalty when Iago says: "Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw, / furnish me with some swift means of death / For the fair

In the scene where Emilia, Desdemona, and Othello are having a conversation, Emilia says, “They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; / They eat us hungrily, and when they are full, / They belch us"(3.4.121-123). The language used by Emilia reduces women to their physical bodies and she implies that men view women as objects to satisfy their desires. “They eat us hungrily” and “They belch us” reinforces the idea of women being used by men, and when done with, discarded. The language suggests that men use women for their pleasure, as an object, and as something that pleases them. Emilia’s feminist stance goes against the idea of women being used to please men. In the scene where Desdemona and Emilia are in their private conversation, Emilia says, “Let husbands know / Their wives have sense like them. They see and smell / And have their palates both for sweet and sour, / As husbands have”(4.3.104-108). Emilia tells Desdemona that women are capable of doing things that men can do and shouldn’t be disempowered and put below men. Emilia challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes about women's equality. She believes that women are equal to men, and should be treated with the same respect and dignity. In the final act, where Roderigo and Cassio have just stabbed each