The complex drama "Othello" by William Shakespeare examines issues of bitterness, power,

race, and gender. Act 3 is a crucial part of the narrative where the stakes are raised and
character motives and connections are made clearer. Given the limitations and expectations
placed on women in the patriarchal society of the play, Desdemona's role and functions in Act 3
are examined from a feminist perspective. Examples include her function as a sort of
scapegoat, her silence in opposition to Othello's dominance and her submissiveness when in
confrontation with Othello.

Initially, Act 3 marks the beginning of Iago's manipulative scheme to exploit Othello's jealousy.
Desdemona becomes a pawn in Iago's plan, and her innocence and loyalty are used against
her. In Scene 3 of the Act, Iago is seen poisoning the mind of Othello by highlighting the “bond”
between his wife and former lieutenant, Cassio. Her character serves as a poignant example of
the vulnerability of women in a male-dominated society, where they can be victimized and held
responsible for the actions and insecurities of the men around them, effectively becomming their
scapegoat.

Next, as Act 3 progresses, Desdemona's voice becomes increasingly silenced. Durimg Sene 4,
Othello's suspicions and jealousy lead him to question her integrity, and he demands answers.
He tells her the magical history of the handkerchief, then repeadedly asks her to present it to
him, even going as far as to raise his voice at her, yelling “The handkerchief! The handkerchief!”
at her every response. However, Desdemona's inability to effectively communicate her
innocence demonstrates the limitations placed on women in terms of their ability to defend
themselves or assert their truth in a patriarchal society.

Finally, despite her initial defiance, Desdemona's character exhibits traits of submissiveness in
Act 3. During Scene2, Michael Cassio petitions the lady to aid him in convincing Othello to
reconsider his decision of stripping him of his title as lieutenant. Desdemona pities the soldier
and swears she will do everything within her power to help him. When they meet, Desdemona
implores Othello to forgive Cassio, listing many good deeds the man has done. Though she
begs him to give her a date he would meet with Cassio, he refuses her. In the end, she states
“... Be as your fancies teach you. Whate’er you be, I am obedient.” This willingness to conform
to her husband's desires, despite her initial persistence, highlights the societal pressure on
women to prioritize their husbands' needs and ambitions above their own.

As a result of a dramatic transition in Act 3 of "Othello," Desdemona's persona reflects the

variety of duties and responsibilities that women are expected to perform in a patriarchal society.
She first demonstrates autonomy and agency by choosing to wed Othello, but she also displays
her weakness and the constraints placed on her by society expectations. The sad portrayal of
gender expectations via the figure of Desdemona eventually emphasizes the pervasiveness of
patriarchy in Shakespeare's day and the ongoing value of feminist criticism in studying literature
and society.