Analysis of Emilia’s Feminism in Shakespeare’s Othello
In Shakespeare’s plays, women are not known to go against the roles of women during the times of which the plays take place. Three attributes that define a woman during these times were chastity, silence, and obedience. Emilia is a feminist before her time by going against these attributes.
Chastity was an importance during the Renaissance era. Emilia goes against the social norm by pardoning women who hoodwink their husbands. She places the blame for women cheating on the husbands. Emilia says “But I do think it is their husbands' faults if wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties and pour our treasures into foreign laps, or else break out in peevish jealousies, throwing restraint upon us”(4.3.63-67). While she does not admit to cheating on Iago, she does want to do what needs to be done to help her husband be successful and have all of his wants. She says ”Why, who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch?” (4.3.60-61). …show more content…
Throughout the play, she speaks up more and more. In order to defend Desdemona, she goes against Othello after he accuses his wife of cheating. A halter pardon him and hell gnaw his bones! Why should he call her “whore”? (4.2.141-142). She defies silence again after finding out that her husband was the cause of the accusations. Iago tells her to be quiet, and she disobeys him, saying “I will not charm my tongue, I am bound to speak” (5.2.196). Iago then orders her to go home, she disobeys him again, saying “'Tis proper I obey him, but not now)
In Shakespeare’s plays, women are not known to go against the roles of women during the times of which the plays take place. Three attributes that define a woman during these times were chastity, silence, and obedience. Emilia is a feminist before her time by going against these attributes.
Chastity was an importance during the Renaissance era. Emilia goes against the social norm by pardoning women who hoodwink their husbands. She places the blame for women cheating on the husbands. Emilia says “But I do think it is their husbands' faults if wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties and pour our treasures into foreign laps, or else break out in peevish jealousies, throwing restraint upon us”(4.3.63-67). While she does not admit to cheating on Iago, she does want to do what needs to be done to help her husband be successful and have all of his wants. She says ”Why, who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch?” (4.3.60-61). …show more content…
Throughout the play, she speaks up more and more. In order to defend Desdemona, she goes against Othello after he accuses his wife of cheating. A halter pardon him and hell gnaw his bones! Why should he call her “whore”? (4.2.141-142). She defies silence again after finding out that her husband was the cause of the accusations. Iago tells her to be quiet, and she disobeys him, saying “I will not charm my tongue, I am bound to speak” (5.2.196). Iago then orders her to go home, she disobeys him again, saying “'Tis proper I obey him, but not now)