O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
For others’ uses.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 3, Scene 3. Here Othello uses the word "appetites" as a metaphor for women’s unrestrained lust, despite their marriage bond. Driven by jealousy and provoked by Iago, he offers a misogynistic and demeaning view of women’s sexuality and unconstrained behavior. Using ugly animal imagery, he voices his disgust at the idea of sharing "the thing I love" Desdemona with other men for their sexual gratification. Comparing himself to a toad in a dungeon foreshadows his later Act 4 speech, in which he likens Desdemona to "a cistern for foul toads To knot and gender in."