The device of utilizing a binary is inherent to Shakespeare's plays and particularly exemplified in "Othello", as he divulges upon the social niches of women as being either angels or whores. Shakespeare enhances this classic stance by challenging this hegemonic view and introducing the element of a woman being neither. In Othello the female characters of Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca are each assigned these roles. Desdemona's is the angel with her obedient and submissive nature, Bianca is the whore with her promiscuous disregard for social structure, and Emilia is the balance of both, being the nonconforming feminist. Shakespeare's depiction of each simultaneously establishes cultural ideals of women and challenges the justice of them. .
Desdemona is loyal, loving and compassionate toward Othello; her actions as a submissive wife coincide with Victorian views of women. Her obedience to Othello's commands was the accepted act of wives during the time period, and any actions against the husband were viewed as wrong. Othello tells her peremptorily "Get you to bed on th'instant" and Desdemona exclaims to Emilia "we must not now displease him." The submissive actions of Desdemona show her loyalty and obedience, which further highlights the view of women as tamed. Othello's control over Desdemona emphasizes her role as an angel in the play. Shakespeare uses Desdemona to illustrate the proclivity of society to place women into two binaries as they place Desdemona on a pedestal, as an angel. .
Bianca represents the whore binary for women. Cassio treats Bianca with no respect and she says nothing of it. The only sign of protest she shows could be looked upon as whining and by whining she is immature, almost childish. Her actions are not taken seriously and she is seen as a weak character. This passiveness is seen in Desdemona as well, however, Desdemona is loyal and married, and Bianca is merely a sex slave to Cassio, making her passive actions look pathetic and humorous to the audience.
