Literary Criticism: Othello

By: Nicole Milliman, Abigail Moreno, Alejandra Moreno, Xochitl Moreno

Ms. Borgonia
AP Literature: Block A
8 December 2022
 Table of Contents
Historicism and Cultural Studies
I
Feminist Theory
II
III Psychoanalytical Criticism

IV Marxist Criticism
 feminist theory

OBJECTIFIED DEPENDENT SUBMISSIVE

II
 What is the Feminist LENS?
The feminist critical lens examines specific texts with a primary focus on both
genders’ relationships with each other and how such relationships demonstrate
effects on beliefs, behaviors, and values.

Through the feminist critical lens, the patriarchal society where men’s privileges are
favored, and women’s power is suppressed can be profoundly understood.
 FEMINISM IN OTHELLO
Shakespearean England was a thoroughly patriarchal society with few rights for women, hence the Elizabethan Era; Shakespeare wrote
many plays about European social issues, and the play Othello focuses heavily on the mistreatment of women in England.

Unaware of their inclusion in Iago's evil scheme, the female characters are exploited as pawns to bring down Othello. Iago's treatment
of women alludes to the gender issues that are present throughout the play and demonstrates how, despite the fact that the main
objective is to harm Othello, it is accomplished at the expense of the women. The women are falsely accused of being deceivers and
treated as nothing more than tools in the diabolical plan, which ultimately leads to their deaths.

Women embody a very objectified, marginalized, and submissive role in Shakespeare’s Othello, representing the patriarchal social
order and stereotypical attitudes of men toward women.

While they are victims, the women defy many norms and expectations, and hold considerable power, even in their deaths.

Thesis
Shakespeare’s Othello reflects a marginalized role of women who are
objectified, dependant, and submissive to the patriarchy. The Feminist Lens
magnifies social attitudes and values that progressively degrade females,
silencing them as social interactants. Reader response might differ because
without the feminist perspective, many of the male character's intentions may
be misunderstood.

 Objectification
Through the Feminist Lens, it is evident
that women are objectified by men, being
treated as devices to satisfy their husband’s
sexual desires.

The phrase "objectification" refers

to the process by which men sexually
objectify and devalue women's bodies to render them less human.

Women are viewed as possessions rather than people. They are brutally
accused of prostitution and sexuality and objectified as interchangeable
objects. Their objectification isolates them from humanity.

Objectification of women is consistent in Othello, as they are referred to as

"housewives" and "wild-cats."
 Objectification: Reader Response
“For that I do
“Come, my dear love.
The purchase has made, suspect the lusty
the fruits are ensue; Moor, Hath
The profit’s yet to come It can be initially leaped into my
‘tween me and you” understood that Othello's

( II.3, 8-10). statement to Desdemona is a seat...” (II.1.220-

Iago suspect's that Othello

loving and enthusiastic 222) has had relations with
proclamation. Considering

their recent wedding, I Emilia. He is distressed
presumed that Othello was that his woman has
When analyzing the text through the merely insinuating the
betrayed him. He uses the
feminist lense, it is clear that profits of marriage that were

"purchase" and "marriage" are soon to come The Feminist Lens analyzes word lusty moor to express
synonymous. Othello
objectification, making it his dislike towards Othello.
purchased/married Desdemona with Adieu, brave Moor, use
clear that Emilia is no more

the expectation for her to meet the Desdemona well. Look to

sexual pleasures that he desires. than an object to Iago. He

her, Moor, if thou hast

Therefore, marriage is not perceived objectifies her as his seat,
as a family union. It is seen as a eyes to see: She has
saying that Othello has taken
woman’s duty to return the favor of deceived her father, and
her being purchased. Barbantio is upset, and is it. Rather than caring for
may thee. (1.3.291-293)
warning Othello that if Emilia, he compares her to an

Desdemona has deceived inanimate object.

her own father, it won't be

long until she deceives her

Through the feminist lens, husband. This inference

the words "USE can be understood as a
Desdemona well" become poor expectation of a
problematic. It is implied woman's behavior.

that Othello should make

good use of his wife's

physical properties, while
remaining vigilant of her
fidelity.

 Dependant
Through the Feminist Lens, the Elizabethan
Societies' narrative of women being
subordinate to men is evident through the
behaviors of Desdemona and Emilia.

Elizabethan society was patriarchal, meaning men were considered

leaders and women their inferiors. Women were
regarded as "the weaker sex," not just in physical strength but emotionally too. It was believed that women always
needed someone to look after them. They were less educated than men and were expected to take care of the
household and children. They were to refrain from engaging in “male” domains such as politics.

In Othello, the women are their father's property until they marry. They are then under the control of their husband,
who has the overall power of the household.

Through the eyes of feminism, the female characters Desdemona and Emilia are determined and have strong
personalities but ultimately conform to the society of male dominance

ex) Desdemona speaks to her father about marrying Othello, giving a persuasive speech supporting her independence and strength. She
makes the decision, proving her intellect as a female in an oppressed society. Desdemona is a determined woman but, in the end,
succumbs to accepting that she is a woman and inferior, she now “serves” Othello and not her father. She was bold enough to deny her
father but only bold enough to serve her husband. Her character is shaped by society, as she thinks only a man can solve her problems. As
a woman, she views herself as less intelligent and capable.
 Dependant: Reader Response
'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous
"Awake! What ho, pitiful. She wished she had not
heard it, yet she wished That
Brabantio! Thieves,
heaven had made her such a man.
thieves! She thanked me, And bade me, if I
Look to your house, your had a friend that loved her, I should
daughter, and your bags! Reader Resposne understands but teach him how to tell my story,
And that would woo her. Upon this
Thieves, thieves!" (1.1.81- Iago's fearful message as an With reader response, we infer
hint I spake. She loved me for the
83.) informative and concerned dangers I had passed, And I loved that Desdemona fell in love with

expression of Desdemona's her that she did pity them. (1.3.185- Othello while listening to his life
safety. She left her father and 194) stories – romantic tales of travel,
adventure, and danger.
The Feminist Lens reciognizes the ran away with a man. Iago is
misogyny in Iago's words; He tells Desdemona wishes heaven "had
calling Othello a thief for
Brabantio that he’s been “robbed,” as if made such a man" for her to
Desdemona is a possession with no agency taking Desdemona away. Through the feminist lens, it is marry, especially given that she
or thinking skills. When Desdemona
elopes without her father’s consent, is may clear that Desdemona resists the suggests that Othello's stories
affect Brabantio’s reputation. Considering “But I do think it is their husbands’
the interracial aspect of their marriage,
faults If wives do fall. Say that they
dependence she has on her husband. could "woo" her.
the fact that she also marries a Moor, may
slack their duties, And pour our We can infer that Desdemona

doubly impact Brabantio’s reputation.

Although the marriage affects treasures into foreign laps; wishes heaven had made her a man
Desdemona foremost, it seems as if the Or else break out in peevish instead of a woman. Desdemona
men are more worried about themselves
jealousies,Throwing restraint upon us. craves action and adventure and is
Or say they strike us, Or scant our
not content to sit at home. Her
former having in despite.Why, we have
dependence on men stops her from
galls, and though we have some grace,
doing what she desires.
Yet have we some revenge. Let With Reader Response, it is
husbands know

Their wives have sense like them. They understood that Desdemona

see, and Smell” (4.3.97-105)

and Emilia are expressing

the injustices they face as
women dependent on their
husbands. They find comfort
The Feminist Lens recognizes this as a
combative and self-aware speech against the and safety in speaking to
misogyny demonstrated throughout the
play. Emilia is aware that men view women
each other about their
as powerless, and she negates that false frustration.
sentiment; women are just like men and
have similar desires, urges, and capabilities.
Moreover, if a woman does have an affair,
Emilia blames it on the husband, for their
need for complete control and dominance
over their wives is too restraining.

 Submissive
Desdemona and Emilia display obedience and subservient
nature through their marriages, reminding us that women are
ultimately submissive to the patriarchy in a male-dominated
society.

Female submission is an activity or relationship in which a woman consents to submit to the direction of a sexual
partner or allows her body to be used sexually by or for the sexual pleasure of her partner.

Desdemona presents the image of a sexual instrument to satisfy Othello’s sexual desires. Her husband defames her
publically and sexually objectifies her personality.

Despite the abuse she receives from her husband, Desdemona’s true submissive nature is most evident in her
willingness to take credit for her own murder.

Emilia and Desdemona frequently speak up in their male-dominated environment and have moments where they
defy the norms that women should simply be silent, repressed, and obey their husbands. Additionally, they display a
degree of self-awareness in their interactions and profoundly understand how misogyny occurs. Although Iago's
plan primarily caused their deaths, they both found power in words, speaking with one another, and dying for the
truth.
 Submissive: Reader Response
Come on, come on. You are
“Nobody, I myself. pictures out of door, bells in
your parlors, wild-cats in
Farewell. / Commend
your kitchens, saints in your
me to my kind lord.” Othello is responsible for injuries, devils being
(5.2.152-153) Desdemona's death because offended, players in your
he allowed Iago to Iago is speaking down to

housewifery, and housewives
Desdemona and Emilia. He
manipulate him, he didn't in your beds.". (2.1.109.)

trust Desdemona and
summarizes the women's circle of
responsibilities: housework and
strangled her while she slept.
sex. The women in Othello are
When analyzing the text Desdemona tells Emilia that
submissive to female gender
through the feminist lense, it is she is the reason for her
stereotypes that Iago suggests
clear that Desdemona takes the death due to the pressure
Through the feminist lens, Iago's disrespect because they are the only
blame for her own murder and guilt of her sins.
of women is clear. He perpetuates the belief acceptable roles for them in the
because she feels responsibility that women are deceivers who make noise Elizabethan Society.
to protect Othello. She is “If she be fair and and disturb others. They live under a guise of
innocence, while in actuality, they are

submissive to the abusive

treatment she endures, and
wise, fairness and wit, / harmful to everyone around them. In the
eyes of Iago, women are masters of deception.

silences herself from speaking The one’s for use, the This characterization of women as pretenders
and deceivers with an ulterior motive, is
the truth.
other useth it” Iago explains the traits of a
prevalent throughout the play, and is
arguably the main reason why Othello is so
(2.1.128-129). woman that make her
convinced Desdemona is having an affair with
Cassio.

beautiful; wise, fairness, and

wit. He praises Desdemona

as a wise and fair lady who

may be used by her husband.
Through the feminist lens, we can Iago lists these superficial
infer Desdemona's submissive
position in her relationship with Iago.
elements to Desdemona as a
He tells her that women are men’s testament of her beauty.
desirable assets, judged on their
physical appearance and sexual
attraction. Because he praises her
beauty, Desdemona remains
submissive, despite the fact that Iago
is merely using her.