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(19th century) Coleridge: ‘motiveless malignity’
reasons for Iago’s spite
Concluded Iago is ultimately evil for the sake of being evil
Simon Bubb: ‘Iago chooses…silence.’
Iago’s plot is uncovered (not motives) and he can do no more damage, yet he chooses silence
The terrifying ways in which someone can use language to manipulate others for their own evil purposes
(20th century) A.C Bradley: ‘Desdemona is helplessly passive.’
as a woman in a patriarchal society, she has no voice or means to judge her husbands actions
Early critics tended to see Desdemona as a simple reflection of Jacobean ideals of female virtue
Lisa Jardine: ‘it does not just matter that a woman is called a ‘whore’ it matters when and where she is.’
Seriousness of the incident is explicit, in strong contrast to the earlier implications of Desdemona’s purity and honesty.
She has been publicly designated as a ‘whore’ in terms damaging enough to be of a substantial threat to her reputation
Schwab: ‘most underrated and constant victim is (Iago’s) wife, Emilia.’
clear that she has been abused and manipulated by her husband
She voices against him at the end, disregarding social norms and the expectations of women
(20th century) Vanita: (Desdemona) is killed not only by Othello and Iago but by all those who…fail(ed) to intervene.’
other characters had seen her getting humiliated and beaten in public, yet fail to stop what is coming
However, due to Othello’s status, would they have been afraid to do something?
O’toole: ‘Othello starts to take on Iago’s characteristic imagery and style of speech.’
Eloquent speech → violent and harsh words of misogyny etc
Lisa Hopkins: ‘whore’ (Bianca)
Bianca is only portrayed as a ‘whore’ throughout, yet Shakespeare creates her and puts her in the play for a reason
Bianca serves as a figure of misfortune- a contrast to the virtuous Desdemona and honest Emilia
Lisa Hopkins: the hankerchief scene
puts women against women
A woman of power is unlikely → the ending is so shocking to an audience (Emilia being the one to break the revelation and confront Iago’s manipulation)
Rymer: Othello is ‘noble’ and never falls completely- we feel ‘admiration and love’ for his character
presents Othello as blameless
Othello’s commitment, erotic and of passion
Othello never falls as a result of the audience who feel love for him ??????
A.C Bradley: Iago is fully culpable
sees Othello as ‘noble’
Blames Iago- his twisted evil mind forces all to fall to his puppetry
Burton: ‘Wives are slippery, often unfaithful’
implies that women often cheat on their husbands- infidelity