Typically, texts present women as essentially passive in the face of male aggression
YES: (extract) whilst 'Othello's music' degenerates into misogynistic abuse, Desdemona remains respectful in her mode of address, and language and with this power dynamic of the situation she unable to express the unfairness of the situation
YES: Power dynamic in Emilia and Iago's conversation (ACT 3.3)
NO: Despite Emilia's dutiful appearance, she is shown to actively defy her husband with her strikingly modern views (ACT 4.3) , and in her passionate rage at the end (ACT 5.2)
NO: If 'male aggression' can be seen as the force of the patriarchy, Desdemona is not passive. She defies the norms of society, her father's rules and upon entrance she speaks infant of a whole room of men (ACT1.3)... strong, independent female character
She aims to please him despite his mistreatment towards her, but this may not be out of weak character- perhaps she recognises the importance of having a husband in contemporary society
YES: inevitably the patriarchy determines their role s passive; the ending/ death of D and E epitomises this as both women suffer the consequences of male aggression and their husbands' mistakes
when he strikes her and she remains obedient (ACT 4.1)
Othello: ... Ay, there, look grim as hell!
Desdemona: I hope my noble lord esteems me honest
"whore", "strumpet", "cunning whore of Venice"
"it is a common thing-"
"...foolish wife"
"good wench: give it me
"they are all but stomachs, and we are all but food" = she is aware of her position as a woman, and accepts it for her own benefit
E: "I nothing but to please his fantasy"
"I will not stay to offend you... my lord..."
He sets the agenda with imperatives, emphasising his dominance = denigrates her
"tis proper I obey him, but not now"
"I will not charm my tongue: I am bound to speak"
"But I do think it is their husbands' faults if their wives do fall... yet we have some revenge"
"I do perceive here a divided duty... I am hitherto your daughter. But here's my husband"
"let me go with him"