Desdemona's Relationship In Othello

599 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The role of women in English literature

At the beginning of creation, Adam and Eve were placed by God to take care of the earth. After they were told to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and even, Adam and Eve broke God’s covenant and sin fell upon the world afterwards. Mankind’s blood line was tainted, and God needed a redeemer to save the fallen world. The only option God had was to look for his only Son Jesus Christ to redeem the world for mankind. Jesus’s time on earth was filled with healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, and taking possession of the world once again. However, man rejected Jesus and he was crucified on the cross. Shakespeare’s play Othello analyzes Othello and Desdemona’s relationship in a similar light. In Act I, Scene I, Othello and Desdemona are …show more content…

When Othello refused to give Michael Cassio his job back at Desdemona’s request, she respected his wishes and dropped the subject. “Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this, to leave me but a little to myself. Shall I deny you? No. Farewell my lord” (Hall 99-100). However, she does make sure to place the idea in his mind by giving Othello a choice of when he will give Cassio his job back. She carefully chose words that subtly give him a hint to give Cassio his rank. A rich young ruler in the Bible wanted to follow Jesus because he claimed to have kept all the commandments. Jesus gave the young rich man a free choice to follow him as long as the man sold all his possessions to the poor. Jesus didn’t use physical force like Desdemona to get what they wanted but both people obeyed their receiver’s requests. In another instance Desdemona wanted to go with Othello to war but Othello rejected her offer to go because he didn’t want to mix his job with their love life. Similarly, Jesus’s brothers and sisters rejected Jesus’s teachings in his home town Nazareth. Jesus couldn’t do any mighty works because he was not wanted. If Desdemona represents Jesus of the Bible, then Othello’s rejection of her would be equivalent to man’s rejection of Jesus. The purity of Desdemona and Jesus defined both Othello and the Bible in a way that both characters were seen without any blemishes or

Show More
Related

  • Desdemona's Naivety In Othello

    73 Words  | 1 Pages

    Desdemona's naivety is the prime cause of the conflict in "Othello" because she doesn't know that Iago is depriving her in Othello's mind by using her actions against her. Desdemona loves Othello, but also is benevolent in helping anyone even if it might be practiced against her. Cassio asked Desdemona if she can help get Othello's trust back, only as Othello and Iago enters they see Cassio leave and gets a bit

    Read More

  • Free Soliloquies Essay - Othello’s Soliloquy

    445 Words  | 1 Pages

    Analysis of Othello’s Soliloquy. During Othello’s soliloquy in Scene 3, ll. 299-318, Shakespeare uses the literary devices of imagery, symbolism, and antithesis to develop the state of mind of Othello during this strenuous time in his life. Othello, who seems to intrinsically believe that as a public figure he is fated to be unsuccessful at marriage, is torn between his love for Desdemona and the possibility that she is having an affair with Michael Cassio. This particular passage comes at a juncture after he denies that this could be true, and before he is finally convinced of his wife's infidelity.

    Read More

  • How Does Desdemona Deserve Jealousy In Othello

    1153 Words  | 3 Pages

    While Desdemona is not aware of why Othello is so angry with her, she continues to do the good deed of attempting to get Cassio his job back. Desdemona speaking in front of Othello, explains to her cousin Lodovico “A most unhappy one. I would do much/ T’ atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio”(4,1,219-220). Proving that she cares for Cassio and that him receiving his position back should be up for consideration. Thus, Othello “strikes”(4,1,232) Desdemona thinking she loves Cassio due to her showing friendly affection towards him. This displays Othello allowing his jealousy to suppress his love for Desdemona by hitting her because of his thoughts that she is having an

    Read More

  • Othello Women Analysis

    1122 Words  | 3 Pages

    He tells her, “Heaven truly knows that you are false as hell” (4.2.39). Desdemona wants to re-assure Othello that she is not lewd and wants to please him and ease these thoughts, and she tells him: “And have you mercy too! I never did / Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio / But with such general warranty of heaven / As I might love. I never gave him token” (5.2.58-61).

    Read More

  • Jealousy And Jealousy In Othello

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is apparent that Othello idolizes Desdemona, through the language he uses in describing her as well as how he treats her during their interactions. While most female characters in the play are oppressed and demeaned by their male partners, Othello’s respect for Desdemona is a testament of his feeling inadequate and strive to entice her. Although he has an alterior motive of evading a conviction of witchcraft to win Desdemona’s heart, he confesses to many noblemen including Barbantio, Desdemona’s father, that Desdemona does not love him, just his war stories. Incidentally, his war accomplishments were the only way a man of his background would be able to be so close to a prestigious woman such as Desdemona in a time plagued with so much racism. In the second scene of Act V, Othello has been pushed well beyond his breaking...

    Read More

  • Analysis of Othello's Speech

    933 Words  | 2 Pages

    Othello is a man of romantic nature. He fell in love with the beautiful Desdemona. He was accused of stealing her away from her father. Othello was of a different race and did not fit in with her family. Othello makes a plea for Desdemona and tells his story which wooed her to begin with. Othello tells of the love that her father showed him since his boyish days. This was like a match made in heaven that overcame many obstacles which got in their way. Othello could not understand why he was good enough to work and fight alongside of her father, but was not good enough for his daughter.

    Read More

  • Dramatic Tension in Act 4 Scene 3 of William Shakespeare's Othello

    977 Words  | 2 Pages

    Further dramatic tension is created in Lodovico’s polite address towards Desdemona being contrasted with Othello’s domineering commands (pg153). lines 1-10). Dramatic tension is also conveyed through characterisation in Othello’s embodiment of the attitude of a. typically patriarchal man, and Desdemona’s obedient tolerance. Evidently, Othello takes pleasure in publicly victimising Desdemona. who has in turn come to fear Othello.

    Read More

  • Othello, The Moor of Venice

    1326 Words  | 3 Pages

    that completely destroys his life”("Othello"). Othello is shown he is a good man within the first few scenes of the play: “She wished she had not heard it; yet she wished That heaven had made her such a man” (1.3.162-163). This line in Act I spoken by Othello, is an indication that he is a good person although it may appear that he has stolen Desdemona away from her father. Othello speaks that although he has taken Desdemona as his wife without Brabantio’s consent, he is a good person for stating his reasons for his actions as well as standing his ground. After Othello’s marriage to Desdemona, the conflict is started when Iago insinuates t...

    Read More

  • Othello Analysis

    1139 Words  | 3 Pages

    The tragedy of Othello, written by William Shakespeare, presents the main character Othello, as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man, but because of his insecurities and good nature, he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his peers and alleged friends. The dynamic of Othello’s character significantly changes throughout the play. The contrast is most pronounced from the beginning of the play to its conclusion, switching from being calm and peaceful to acts of uncontrolled venomous rage. Othello’s motivation in the play appears to be his love and concern for his wife Desdemona, which ironically, ends up being his downfall in the end.

    Read More

  • Desdemona as a Tragic Victim in ‘Othello’

    731 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s play “Othello” the main characters Othello and Desdemona suffer a tragic fate due to their actions and unforeseen circumstances. A majority of Desdemona’s suffering is down to Iago’s manipulation. However, it could also be argued that Iago is not completely to blame for the misfortune of Desdemona. We as the readers can see evidence of this at certain points in the play where Iago has planted the seeds of despair and Desdemona and Othello have fallen for his plans. In this essay, I will look at key moments in the play where Desdemona is presented as a tragic victim by the writer and justify why she is a tragic victim using quotes from the play.

    Read More

  • The Role of Desdemona in Shakespeare’s Othello

    412 Words  | 1 Pages

    Once Iago has poisoned Othello’s mind with lies about an affair between Cassio and Desdemona, Othello becomes suspicious and distrusting of Desdemona. He is convinced that his wife is a whore, but never speaks to her about his suspicions. Othello refuses to confront Desdemona because, just as their society mandates, to him women are untrustworthy and decietful. Othello (and society) truly believes that if he asks her about Cassio, she will deny sleeping with him. Because Desdemona is a woman, she is not given a chance to speak on her own behalf. It is this same societal issue that played a part in her death. Othello the man and thus obviously stronger and more logical, suffocates Desdemona without hearing her side of the story first. The society in which they live gave Othello permission to kill Desdemona without her even really knowing why.

    Read More

  • importance of Cassio

    709 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cassio is newly promoted as Othello's lieutenant at the beginning of the play even though he has little experience on the field, '. This position is what triggers Iago's inferiority complex, so he plans the bring Cassio down. One can easily say that through the course of this tragedy, Cassio's fortunes change considerably. In Act I, he is Othello's loyal and trusted lieutenant. In Act II, he is Othello's loyal friend in Cypress and respectful admirer of Desdemona but in Act II, Scene III, is manipulated to fight Roderigo, hitting him and Montano, and consequently losing his position as Othello's "lieutenant".

    Read More

  • Marriage and Power in Othello

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main character, Othello, is a very interesting character. He is bold is every wear. He is an insecure person. His only experiences are the ones that he has had on the battlefield. He is a General who is a strong willed and is demanding, in his own way. He is socially inexperienced, and you can tell by the marriage that is apparent. The way that Othello treats Desdemona. You almost feel as if he has a kind of control over her. When Othello thought and suspected that Desdemona was having an affair, he confronts her. That is then followed by her death. [scene 5 act 2]Desdemona "O banish me, my lord, but kill me not!Othello: Down, strumpet! Desdemona: Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight. Othello: Nay if you strive- Desdemona: But half an hour! Desdemona: But while I say one prayer!- Othello then proceeds to strangle Desdemona. He was best described as " one that loved not wisely, but too well." It almost seemed as if he had so much love and trusted D...

    Read More

  • Religion In Othello Research Paper

    1070 Words  | 3 Pages

    Siegel states that Desdemona’s forgiveness and perfect love that springs about Othello’s redemption through Desdemona’s death is reminiscent of Christ (1068). Like many before, Siegel believes that in Othello’s suicide to bring about his own absolution displays Desdemona’s Christ-like juxtaposition as it parallels that of Christ’s death in order to forgive humanity for their sins. Even after her death, Desdemona’s religious significance still gets displayed through the death of her

    Read More

  • The Character Desdemona and the Role of Women Depicted in Shakespeare's Othello

    815 Words  | 2 Pages

    The society in which Othello takes place is a patriarchal one, where men had complete control over women. They were seen as possessions rather than being just as equally human and capable of duties performed by men. All women of the Elizabethan were to obey all men, fathers, brothers, husbands, etc. Which leads me to the most reliable and trustworthy character of Desdemona, whom goes through many trials just to satisfy her love. Shakespeare brings the thought of Desdemona into the play by Barbantio, her father, “It is too true an evil. Gone she is....Oh, she deceives me Past thought! …” (1.1.163)(1.1.168-169), whom has just found she has taken off with Othello and firstly suspects they have been hitched. Shakespeare gives reader the impression Desdemona is a devious imp full of disrespect towards her father. However, surpassing normal tradition of asking of her fathers’ permission to wed, Desdemona ran off and did marry the moor. This in a sense was her emancipation of her father’s possessiveness and oblivion of Othello’s dominance over her. Othello replies to Barbantio’s accusation, sedating or using black magic on his daughter, by saying, “My very noble and approved good masters, That I have ta’en away this old man’s daughter. It is most true.” (1.3.79-81), which brings me to the claim that Desdemona’s character in this tragedy, was only to become and to serve as Othello’s private possession rather than a typical beloved daughter or wife as in modern time. Shakespeare bases this tragedy on the foundation of Desdemona’s character by the symbol of the discrimination of women in the Shakespearean time era. Desdemona even for the first and only time within the play stands up and challenges her inferiority under her father’s aut...

    Read More

More about Desdemona's Relationship In Othello

Open Document