Misogyny Flashcards
How were women perceived in the 16th + 17th centuries?
-women subordinates to men + this is manifested in Othello
-everything they owned became their husbands possession
-fathers expected to choose a husband for their daughters as B expects to do for D
What rights did Desdomona have?
-few rights + is subordinate to her husband
-D is strong willed + tries defy O when convincing him to forgive C
-she is ultimately passive + powerless in face of husbands anger
What was Emilia like in the play + how was she treated?
-even more oppressed than D
-powerless throughout most of the play
-she is bound to her husband + took D’s handkerchief as he commanded her to
-by the end she speaks the truth + exposed Iago’s manipulations even when he threatens her
-Act 5 when normal social order is disrupted she can speak + act freely to contradict patriarchal hierarchy
What were the stereotypes of Venetian women?
-Venice a city famous for freedoms + liberality + due to this thought of as a place of sexual freedoms — prostitutions etc.
-manifested in Othello when make characters quick assume wives unfaithful
-O quickly believed D unfaithful with C “whore of Venice” + Iago suspicious E slept with O
