The Role of Gender in Othello (All Sections)

Hello All,

This is the post that explains your Spring Break assignment.

The Role of Gender in Othello

Overview:

In the play Othello we as readers see numerous motifs and issues arise through the interaction of several characters. Some of those motifs and issues include love (how it is perceived and how it is actually), betrayal, lies, deceit, race, etc. Each of these motifs and issues are still relevant today and in Othello each of these can be traced back to the role and position of gender. Think about what is expected of the male characters (Othello, Cassio, Iago, Roderigo) and what is expected of the female characters (Desdemona, Emilia, Bianca). Do these characters fulfil their expectations according to their gender? Or do they deconstruct what is assumed and expected of them because of their gender (in other words, do the male characters exude or posses traits and behavior that would be associated with female characters and vice versa)?

Assignment Guidelines:

- Select 3 or 4 excerpts from Othello and analyze and discuss each excerpt at it relates to your thesis and the role of gender in the play.

- Obviously, your essay needs a strong thesis. Your thesis should be built around how you perceive Othello portrays gender. The following are two examples of thesis statements. One of them is acceptable and the other is very weak.

           A) The play Othello deals with an interesting view of gender.

           B) In the play Othello, the roles of both genders are dismantled and reconstructed to demonstrate that gender roles are nothing more than social constructs that attempt to catagorize certain traits and characteristics with a specific gender, while in reality, both genders share traits and characteristics without devaluing males or females.

(Which of these two do you think I would prefer?)

- 2 to 4 pages typed, double-spaced and in size 12 Times New Roman font. The page length is NOT up for debate. I will not accept or grade any paper that is not 2 full pages at the minimum or exceeds 4 pages.

- Refer to MLA formatting for all citations and proper quoting. 

Due Date:

This essay is due the first day I see your class upon returning from Spring Break. Please bring a hard copy to class. You have 10 days off from school so I think it's perfectly fair to request a hard copy after 10 days in which you can find a functioning printer in your, a friend's home, an internet cafe or *gasp* the public library.