Othello criticism compilation:

women in the play:

“the dramatisation of Desdemona’s and Emilia’s murders challenges some of the most fundamental assumptions of elizabethan society - that outsiders should not interfere between husband and wife, and that an adulterous woman deserves death.” - ruth vanita, ‘proper’ men and ‘fallen’ women.

Desdemona:

‘“I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving” the last line sums up Desdemona’s life. she began by wishing for a mans adventurous existence (she wished that/ “heaven made her such a man”) and dies, grieving, trapped in the predicament of a woman.’ - ruth vanita, ‘proper’ men and ‘fallen’ women: the unprotectedness of wives in Othello.

racism in Othello:

“there is racist sentiment within the play, but it Is to an important degree confined to Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio” - Martin Orkin

“it is Iago, the white man, who is portrayed as amoral and anti-christian , essentially savage towards that which envies or resents, and cynical in his attitude to love” - Martin Orkin.