Cheat+Sheet+3+-+Karen+Newman

Main argument: Karen Newman’s main argument centres around two main ideas: the first being the importance of gender in Venetian society, and the second being the monstrous desire in Othello. Newman argues that Othello is considered second class in Venetian society because of his race, but Desdemona, who is likewise considered as second class, is so due to her freely expressed sexuality (her being female) as they both pose an equal threat to the dominant white males in Venice. She also argues, like F.R. Leavis, that Othello and Iago, although their language is completely different, their values on women and sexuality are almost identical and it is thus that Iago is able to so easily provoke jealousy within Othello. Applicable quotes:
 * Karen Newman **
 * “How to respect you, you are the lord of duty;/ I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband;/ and so much duty as my mother showed/ To you, preferring you before my father,/ So much challenge that I may profess/ Due to the moor my lord.” – (I, iii, p33).
 * Her duty falls from her father straight to her husband, representing that women’s duty was solely to men and that they are classed as inferior to men in Venetian society.


 * “Whore”
 * Represents the degradation of Desdemona or all women in general in Venetian society. Othello and Iago both repeat this throughout the play indicating their similar views on women.

// Alderson and Austin //
 * Whether a maid, so tender, fair, and happy… run from her guardage to the sooty bosom…” – (I, ii, p19).
 * Showing that the marriage between the two defies all convention in Venice, possibly because they are both considered second class.