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Desdemona And Emilia In Shakespeare's Othello

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At one point in time, women were not humans but objects who were expected to be obedient, serve their family, and reproduce. William Shakespeare hinted that he was against these values through the characters Desdemona and Emilia in his tragic play, Othello. The play took place in Cyprus, Italy, as well as Venice, Italy. Desdemona was loyal to the protagonist of the story, Othello, who was General of the Venetian Army. Emilia was married to the story’s cynical antagonist, Iago, who was 2 ranks under Othello. Throughout the play, Desdemona and Emilia strayed off the path of what women were expected to be, contributing to the notion that Shakespeare’s views on women’s rights were ahead of his time. Readers can perceive that Shakespeare’s thoughts …show more content…

She wanted “husbands [to] know that their wives had sense like them. They see, and smell, and have palettes for both sweet and sour” (4.3.105-107). Emilia was speaking up for other women and wanted their husbands to know that their wives are also humans, and have the same emotions that men do. Women were supposed to be obedient and have no opinion, but Emilia disobeyed these rules and openly expressed her opinions. No male during this time would have suspected anything similar to this of their wife, but the fact that Shakespeare even wrote about it hints to readers that Shakespeare may have believed in equality for women. Emilia also stood up for what she believed in and laid down her life doing so. After finding out her husband, Iago, was the one who had plotted the demise of so many around her, Emilia declared “Tis proper I obey him, but not right now” (5.2.233). Emilia knew she was expected to obey her husband, yet she was willing to lay down her life to alert others of the atrocious acts that her husband had committed. Not only did Emilia speak out against her husband, but was willing to lose her life in the process. She was able to find her voice and speak out to save those around her. Shakespeare is sending a strong message to readers that women can be just as courageous as men, implying that

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