The Tragic Treatment of Women in Othello In Shakespeare's play, Othello, there are many different relationships between the main characters. The way Shakespeare portrays these relationships sets the stage for the pain and deception that unfold within the play. The relationships between the men of the opera, Othello, Roderigo, Iago and Cassio, undoubtedly constitute the main theme. Furthermore, each of the men, except Roderigo, also has a woman who supports him and takes care of him. But the manor where these women are cared for is why the story ends on such a tragic note. After careful analysis of the women, Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca, it can be seen that much of the tragedy could have been avoided if only the men had given them the opportunity to express their opinions. Unfortunately nothing of the sort happens until it's too late. Men clearly show a lack of respect for women. Emilia is absolutely right when she talks about men, she says "They are nothing but stomachs, and we are only food; they eat us hungry, and when they are full they belch us (3.4.100-102). The most important relationship shown in the story is between Othello and Desdimona. Shakespeare uses many examples to illustrate how the bond between them shines at the beginning and then fades as the play progresses. At the beginning of the play they get married without the consent of Desdimona's father period of time a father owned his daughter in a sense and had the right to choose her husband. When her father (Brabantio) hears the news he is furious and states that Othello “has enchanted her! / she had / fled from her refuge, to the sooty bosom of such a thing as you / (1.3.64-73). This shows that Brabrantio thought it was unacceptable for his daughter to choose a husband... middle of paper... in the play they are tragically the ones who suffer the most. Because of the way they were viewed and treated at the time of the show, they were essentially defenseless. Desdemona was forced to stand by and watch as her relationship with her beloved husband Othello deteriorated. She was the first to die but the most innocent. Emilia was caught between respect for her husband and loyalty to her lover. Unfortunately she chose to follow the wrong person but managed to redeem herself in the end only to be stabbed in the back by Iago. Bianca is a victim of circumstances and unknowingly involved because of her love for Cassio. I believe Shakespeare wrote this play to illustrate the injustices faced by women during his time, as well as other political messages woven into the plot. Works Cited: Shakespeare, William. Othello. Ed. Alvin Kernan. New York: Seal, 1963.