Relationships and Marriage

Relationships and Marriage

1. Emilia and Iago

   • Emilia is a loyal and dutiful wife
   • Treats her like dirt
   • Threatens her with a knife when she speaks out against him
   • Iago manipulates her
   • Uncaring husband
   • For convenience
   • Emilia would do anything for Iago
     • "Cuckhold him" to help him rise up the ranks

2. Othello and Desdemona

   • Romantic or true love
     • "That i love thee gentle Desdemona"
   • Public declaration of love
     • "And i a heavy interim shall support by his dear absence. Let me go with him"
   • Black and white
     • Dichotomous
   • Gender roles switch
   • Othello a caring husband until he is infected by jealousy
   • Desdemona was always faithful

3. Cassio and Bianca

   • Controversial relationship
   • Convenient
   • Bianca is used by Cassio
     • "Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth"
   • When speaking to Bianca, Cassio is cast as not the mannerly gentlemen we see with other women
   • Prostitute who wants to find love

4. Emilia and Desdemona

   • Strong relations
   • Emilia's divided duty between Iago and Desdemona
   • Emilia betrays her husband for the sake of Desdemona
     • Tells of Iago's plan
     • Swears to Othello there was nothing between Cassio and Desdemona

5. Passion brings them together, and draws the apart