Quotes - MARRIAGE Flashcards
‘I am your daughter, but here’s my husband.’
1.3
Women are products of ownership, which they know.
Marilyn French argues that ‘Desdemona accepts her culture’s dictum that she must be obedient to males.’
‘The purchase made.’
2.3
Othello refers to their marriage as a ‘purchase’ reflecting patriarchal ideologies that women are to be transferred from one dominant male to the other.
‘O treason of the blood!’ / ‘Where most you owe obedience?’
1.1 / 1.2
Desdemona eloping to Othello is compared to a major crime in Elizabethan England (treason).
Depicts the authority that fathers have over their daughters.
‘I saw Othello’s visage in my mind.’
1.3
For Desdemona, Othello became part of her identity - faithful and submissive
‘O curse of marriage!’
3.3
Othello, who didn’t view their marriage as an act of patriarchy, changes as Iago convinces him of the importance of an ‘obedient wife’. ( stereotypes )
Portrays male influence as Othello didn’t want to be seen as passive in their marriage.
‘Obedient, very obedient’
4.1
Othello mocks Desdemona - she loses the established identity she had.
‘Jealous for they’re jealous.’ (EMILIA)
3.4
Emilia gains a stronger sense of identity - she utilises the quote above at the end of the play, recognising Iago’s true nature and alienating herself from him, which gets her killed.
‘Alas, she has no speech.’ / ‘In faith, too much.’
2.1
Emilia fits the conventions for being the ‘perfect wife’ at the start of the play.
‘As of her tongue she oft bestows on me.’
2.1
Iago is misogynistic within his core, and is demeaning towards Emilia in public.
‘Speak within doors’
4.2
Domestic realm- Elizabethan attitudes of lack of female education beyond domestic duties.
‘Villainous whore’ / ‘filth’
5.2
When Emilia exposes him, he shows a lack of repentance or change at all.
‘I nothing but to please his fantasy.’ (EMILIA)
3.3
Her loyalties are shown through the theft of the handkerchief, to which she did to gain her husband’s favour.
‘I’ll make thee known’
5.2
Through her platonic bond with Desdemona, she creates an identity separate to Iago - when Desdemona dies, she asserts to condemn Othello’s action.
‘I will speak as liberal as the north.’
5.2
She is is the only character to die as a result of telling the truth.
‘Liberal’ juxtaposes her nature.
‘Come my soul to bliss, as i tell true.’
5.2
Guilt for being an accomplice in Desdemona’s death.
A woman must obey her husband, or her fate is tragic.
( KEEFE MORAN argues that ‘Othello is a play about control, and about what happens to omen who resist or subvert from that control. )
