The Role of Women in William Shakespeare's Othello Shakespeare's Othello is commonly considered a play that depicts man's ability to use reason towards evil intentions . A lowly elder in a general's army is capable of destroying him through manipulation and deception. But while Iago's deception of Othello is undoubtedly a central theme in the play, another theme regarding man's nature towards woman is evident. Shakespeare's Othello suggests that men mistreat women because women, as a sex, allow themselves to be mistreated. The mistreatment of women by their men occurs throughout the play. Main characters view their wives or significant others as inferior and usually simply as objects of lust and physical desire. This misogynistic view is reflected in one form or another in all the main characters. Iago is the most misogynistic of men. He considers love "simply a lust of the blood and a permission of the will." (1.3.377-378) He also believes that all women are whores who "get up to play and go to bed to work." (2.1.127) Iago's misogyny manifests itself in the way he treats his wife. He seems to have only unkind words for his wife, and even kills her when she exposes his double-dealing at the end of the play. The other two male characters also mistreat their women. Cassio seems to have no real feelings for Bianca. He is a ladies' man and therefore cannot worry about things like true love. Even Othello, the only character who truly loves his wife, mistreats Desdemona. He ends up suffocating her because he believes she has been unfaithful to him. The fact that Othello, a noble and loving husband, mistreats his wife illustrates the general contempt and misogyny that men feel in all… middle of paper… if the Courtier during the Renaissance, there was no real social consequence for husbands who mistreated their wives. In contrast, women were considered the property of their men and could therefore be treated as their husband saw fit. The concept of equality between the sexes only truly emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. The change in society's view of women came only when women began to speak out against their mistreatment and inferiority. Therefore, through his work, Shakespeare comments on a generally accepted social view of his times. Through the interactions of his characters, Shakespeare brings to light the mistreatment of women by men and also shows how women could not resist this mistreatment. Shakespeare's extremely progressive view on women in society is another testimony to his genius and talent as a playwright.