Strength Of Women In Shakespeare's Othello

Strength of Women in Othello Throughout the eras, the portrayal of women has evolved and progressed throughout books, plays, news, and many other social sources. However, before feministic movements began, the portrayal of women often reflected the time period of which the work was constructed. In Shakespeare’s Othello, a play set in the 1600s, the play commences with women in a submissive role, reflecting the time period. However, as the play continues, the role of women evolves to a more dauntless and courageous stance. Women play an audacious and strong role in Othello, by disrupting the accustomed social roles in that society and time period. These roles are demonstrated through the use of setting, symbols of the handkerchief and willow song, and the characterization of Emilia. These roles were contrasting and daring, and led to the beginning of a feministic change in the portrayal of women in the era.
The portrayal of women in Othello was audacious and contrasting to the accustomed roles in the time period. One of the main ways this is demonstrated is through the setting. In Othello, the setting is a Venetian city in the 1600s. …show more content…
In the beginning of Othello, when Iago requests Emilia to retrieve Desdemona’s handkerchief, she does so out of obedience to him. To her, the handkerchief is a symbol of a means to please her husband, in hopes that she will be rewarded. However, as the play progresses, the symbol, as well as Emilia’s role, evolves. As Emilia becomes more audacious and finds out the truth of Iago’s deception, the symbol of the handkerchief becomes the means she needs to stand up to her husband. It creates the motivation she needs to take charge, and speak out against her husband despite the accustomed social roles. This action indirectly characterizes her, and clearly demonstrates her role of strength and dauntlessness in the