Love And Relationships

Question 1

Double standards

Answer 1

Central to the play
Men and women judge differently in terms of love and relationships
Men – personal freedom
Women – judged by chastity
Bianca is vulnerable and judged by society in relation to men “strumpet”
Desdemona is idealised and condemned based on male perceptions
Iago exploits double standard to defame Desdemona
Othello adapts Iagos view of women, either pure or promiscuous
Types of women - “pure” “whores”

Question 2

Gender and power

Answer 2

Power plays a key role
Desdemona challenges patriarchy by marrying Othello without her father’s approval
Female is present silenced by male characters
Desdemona is controlled and killed by Othello
Hold the power to define and describe women’s roles in the play

Question 3

A love triangle?

Answer 3

Othello , Desdemona and iago = complex love triangle
Iago manipulates othello into believing she is unfaithful - uses his insecurities to his advantage
Othello believes Iagos lies due to the emotional distance between him and Desdemona
Othello shifts from being a loving partner to someone controlled by jealousy and rage
Love for desdemona becomes destructive as he views it through Iagos misogynistic lens
Bond between Othello and desdemona is shattered as Othello associates love with violence

Question 4

Couples

Answer 4

Desdemona and Othello relationship starts harmoniously
Bianca and Cassios seen as unequal – Bianca seen as a customer
Emilia and Iago – cynical marriage – feels like food to Iago
Iagos misogyny affects othellos view of Desdemona