Othello

Question 1

In which marriage can gender roles be seen specifically?

Answer 1

• Emilia and Iago’s marriage
• she is ignored
• she brings him the handkerchief
• emphasises how dramatic her strong speech at the end is

Question 2

How does the concept of the marriage yoke fuel Iago’s hatred of Othello?

Answer 2

• Iago questions his masculine role as a soldier
• Iago hates the feminine emotions connected to marriage
• “general’s wife is now the general” - snide and bitter

Question 3

Who suffers from gendered stereotypes regarding marriage?

Answer 3

• Bianca, she exists outside of the respectable social structure - she is a depiction of the licentiousness of Venice that the audience expect

Question 4

How does Bianca suffer from the double standards regarding sexual relationships?

Answer 4

• she is made fun of while Cassio’s reputation is unharmed

Question 5

While Desdemona’s flirtation and agency in the marriage first appears to be positive, why does it very quickly become a problem?

Answer 5

• because Iago is able to redefine Desdemona and alter Othello’s attitudes towards her
• her equality within the marriage becomes a microcosm challenging the whole patriarchal structure

Question 6

When Othello describes Desdemona as the “cunning whore of Venice,” what significance does this have?

Answer 6

• shows that Iago has altered his perception of her agency and redefined Desdemona as the typical cunning, deceptive and sexually promiscuous “Venetian woman”

Question 7

Why is it notable that the marriage takes place at the beginning of the play and is implicit? (additionally, the wedding night itself is delayed to build tension and foreshadow its downfall)

Answer 7

• subverts typical comedy in which marriage occurs at end

- appears to condemn the relationship for contravening the rules of society

Question 8

Though sex began to be more incorporated into literature, the two extreme presentations of the female still occurred. How did Shakespeare challenge this?

Answer 8

• blurs the boundaries
• Desdemona can defend herself and has sexual agency in their flirtation
• Bianca can still be emotional and loving

Question 9

Why is Othello still seen as a Jacobean tragedy?

Answer 9

• Shakespeare still recognises the extremes in place for women

Question 10

How does Shakespeare use the audience?

Answer 10

• uses dramatic irony to enhance the sympathy from the audience, the play would not be so tragic if this was not utilised
• we see Iago as the puppet master and Othello as tragically trapped in a fate he can no longer control

Question 11

Why is the character of Roderigo used in the play?

Answer 11

• to emphasise the power of unrequited love because he remains committed throughout the play
• alternatively, shows the power of Iago’s manipulation because he shouldn’t love Desdemona and Iago maintains his devotion
• he highlights the male sense of entitlement within Jacobean society