Desdemona
DesdemonaDesdemona
The character of Desdemona, in William Shakespeare’s, Othello is presented to us as a beautiful, honest, and faithful woman, who never truly reveals herself to her husband. Although Desdemona loves Othello with all of her heart, she has a hard time opening and communicating with Othello. She is not the only one at fault; Othello struggles in the same way. Although I think she never earned the corrupt treatment from Othello, she allows him to walk all over her, which in the end will make her to be the strongest and most heroic person of the play.
In the beginning of the play, Desdemona reveals to her father that she has secretly married Othello, a Moor who is an honored Venetian general. Othello stands to Brabantio as he dismisses him of his position as a general. Desdemona exposes her true love for Othello and Brabantio gives his duties back and sends him to Cyprus. Desdemona’s father is very angry about this marriage and even more so because she wants to accompany him to Cyprus. Through this anger, I see that Desdemona is considered her father’s possession. He says nothing more to Desdemona, but you can feel that there is anger towards Othello and Desdemona. Desdemona’s father confronts her and expresses that she has betrayed him and never accepts what Desdemona has brought about herself.
Desdemona seems to be frightful of her father because of the action that she hides her own marriage to Othello. This makes her father furious because she did not ask his permission to marry, she never denies that she is in love with him. This shows great character and loyalty that Desdemona has towards Brabantio. Even though it is too late for him to approve their marriage,
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Desdemona shows her independence by standing firm with her decision of marring Othello. Desdemona says to her father, “That I did love the Moor to live with him. My downright violence and scorn of fortunes may trumpet to the world” (Othello 1.3.248-50). This proves that she dose not deny that she is in love with Othello.
Desdemona and Othello have terrible time communicating through out this play. It is evident in the way the truth is dealt unwell concerning the handkerchief. Emilia steals the handkerchief and gives it to Iago as he wanted. “That which so often you did bid me steal.” (3.3.313). Desdemona thinks that she can depend on Emilia for emotional support, but she willingly turns her back on her.
The conflict with the handkerchief, I believe is the explanation that Othello loss all trust for Desdemona. When Othello confronts Desdemona about the handkerchief, Desdemona cannot admit that she lost it. “I say that it is not lost.” (Othello 3.4.82.87) This very untruthful act causes Othello to doubt Desdemona’s love for him. Desdemona knows how much it means to him, so in order to keep from hurting...
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