A-Level Literature - Othello Lesson 10: Emilia and the Challenge to Patriarchy

This lesson focuses on Emilia’s character and her role in challenging gender norms within Othello. Students will explore her development from a seemingly subservient wife to a courageous truth-teller who exposes Iago’s deceit. Through close reading of key moments, including her speech on gender roles in Act 4, Scene 3, learners will examine Emilia’s pragmatic views on marriage, fidelity, and female autonomy. The lesson also incorporates feminist, Marxist, and psychoanalytic perspectives, highlighting how Emilia contrasts with Desdemona and serves as a critical voice against patriarchal oppression, ultimately influencing the play’s tragic resolution.