Desdemona's Cruelty

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William Shakespeare’s play Othello offers a tragic story regarding manipulation, deceit, love and distrust. We are shown the devotion that Desdemona and Othello share for one another—that rapidly descends into hatred and brutality due to Iago’s falsification. Through Desdemona, we learn that love not only blinds us, but can set us free; for Desdemona an assertive character, quickly becomes a passive victim to Othello’s cruelty.
Near the beginning of the play Desdemona shows her assertive and boldness when she and her father Brabantio have a conversation regarding her marriage to Othello. Brabantio believed that Othello used “black magic” to trick Desdemona into falling in love and marrying him. Desdemona was quick to correct the matter. …show more content…

Philip Weller on Shakespeare’s Navigator stated, “Desdemona affirms her duty to her father, who gave her life and education, but asserts that she has a higher duty to Othello, because he's her husband” (Weller, 2011). In addition to Desdemona speaking up to her father, she shows how valiant she is when she mentioned to the Duke of her accompanying Othello to Cyprus. “Let me go with him” (Shakespeare 1.3.277). As the play continues, Desdemona’s assertiveness begins to change.
Othello begins treating Desdemona with disrespect when he began having faith in Iago’s dishonesties regarding Desdemona being “unfaithful.” During a scene in the play, Othello asks Desdemona for a handkerchief—that was taken from Emilia upon Iago’s request. Othello begins to argue with Desdemona because she cannot find the handkerchief. He eventually leaves in rage and Desdemona comments on his behavior, “I ne’er saw this before” (Shakespeare 3.4.107). In another scene, Othello implies Desdemona has been with other men. Desdemona whom is unaware of the reason for his anger towards her—pleads to Iago.
Alas,

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