Othello: Act 4 Scene 3
Deconstruction & Feminist Theory
Idealism
Gender Identity
Pragmatism
Difference
- There are ideas outside the physical world that were perfect concepts that could never be fully realized. ie. Beauty, Justice, or Power
- The idea of power to rule the world
- Make the wrongs right
- To make her husband move up socially
- "the term scholars use to distinguish the cultural norms and ideals regarding masculinity and femininity from biological sexuality" (Michael Ryan)
- Page 217, If Emilia rules the world women can act like men and have the same outcome of power
- Differences between Emilia and Desdemona
- The idea that women's personalities are in some ways distinct from mens.
- Differences between men and women on a personal level
- "The philosophy that thinks of the truth of a concept or idea in terms of its practical effects" (Michael Ryan)
- pages 215-219 Emilia's talk with Desdemona about men and women
- Consequences of having the world, infidelity, and men's actions.
Deconstruction
Patriarchy
Summary and Discussion
- Ruled by men
- Othello is a play ruled by men
- The outlook on both women
- Outlook on men
- Identity is the difference between things
- difference between Desdemona and Emilia
- page 217, the difference between men and women
- Differences between ideals of Desdemona and Emilia
- Difference between men and women
- What would it be like if women ruled the world? How would Feminism change?
- Who's point of view do you connect with most? Why? How did both reach their conclusion?