Othello challenges the ideals of the day, by bringing to his characters a stereotype or label to identify with the differing areas of the woman. For example Desdemona is the idealised “perfection” of woman, the fact that she is ironically seen as the “cunning whore” by her love Othello, and even in her death her loyalties still lie in her husband, by blaming her murder in herself. Emilia is the intuitive character who seems to have the insights into the issues between man and woman. She is practical in her understanding of the world and issues around her, and has all the insights that Desdemona does not have. Her experience and realism acts as a contrast against Desdemona’s idealistic views of the world. The minor role of Bianca also adds as a contrast towards both Desdemona and Emilia. She is the “whore” of society, and her character is dehumanised through being Cassio’s call woman. She truly loves Cassio but because of her status in society, none of the characters in the play take her seriously.
The sub-relationships in the play, both Iago and Emilia, and Cassio and Bianca also give insights into the reality of woman in society. Emilia’s relationship with Iago’s is somewhat loyal, but her desperate attempts towards her husband’s attention show his sexist feelings towards women. In Act 2 Scene 1, Iago makes provocative comments about women in both the presence of Desdemona and Emilia. He has no respect for both Desdemona and his wife. Cassio and Bianca’s relationship is purely sexual in terms of Cassio’s point of view. Although Bianca truly loves him, and when he is wounded in Act 5 scene 2, she is by his side, loyal towards him as a true wife. Although her status or label prevents her from ever becoming his wife and Cassio laughs about the idea, mocking her thoughts.
All the men in the play account for the downfall of the two women Emilia and Desdemona. Othello’s jealousy over Desdemona drives him to her downfall, and the death of the innocent perfection of “woman”. After her death, almost like a curse, all the events that continue have a tragic end. Emilia’s death is due to her husbands evil- plotting to get him out of hie ill-fated end that is inevitable. She stands up to the authority of the men in the play after the death of Desdemona, and because of it is murdered by her husband, which he seems is justified because she was unfaithful to him.
In conclusion the play “Othello” has many underlying issues to deal with woman. The view and context of the Shakespearian era, the stereotyped characters of woman especially Desdemona and Bianca, and the relationships of the play, that add to the intensity of the relationship between Othello and Desdemona.
