Gender Differences In Othello

First, a reader must understand the way gender was understood in Shakespeare’s time. “If we are going to insist in understanding the Elizabethan dramatic artifice, let us also insist in examining Othello according to the traditional values which Shakespeare has injected implicitly and explicitly into the play (Kirschbaum, 284).” This quote given by another author shows the importance of understanding the original texts. The original text, while maybe outdated, is still vital in understanding the culture and history behind the play. A student must understand the implications that Shakespeare originally intended to be understood by the audience. There are three main characters in the play. These women are Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca. These women all show true, strong affection to the main men in their lives.
These rumors are all started by male characters. The trust placed in the deceitful male characters that start the rumors is preposterous. The male characters are well trusted, even though they are always plotting against one another. The faithful, affectionate females are never trusted. They are always thought to be the wrong doers no matter the circumstance. The wife or girlfriend is less respected than any outside male character simply because they are women of power. In Othello, women of power then to be treated with a sense of distrust. The implications of every man in the play is to be strong and over powering of his women. He is expected to take care of his women and be in charge of his life. If he is not, he is asked to do something quite dramatic in order to improve his rank. This can create another gender identity throughout the play. This can be seen in almost every fight scene between two