How Does Shakespeare Present Desdemona?

Desdemona is presented as overtly idealistic which results in her defying credulity. Initially she begins the play as deviant; with Honigman suggesting that, ‘it is possible to see her as the strongest, most heroic person in the play’. The courage and strength it would have taken a woman to stand up to her father and deviate from the social and conventional norms by marrying a ‘moor’ emphasises her heroic nature. However, as the play progresses she becomes too idealistic and two-dimensional, she is presented as ‘a paragon of virtue who embodies everything that is pure and true in humanity’. This unrealistic representation presents Desdemona as an un-relatable character, not a heroic one. Cassio describes her as being ‘a maid that paragons description’ ‘that excels the quirks of blazoning pens’, she is a ‘vesture of creation’ (2.1.61-64).

However, despite her initial defiance, she appears to completely accept her role as subordinate and obedient wife once married. Built upon Renaissance beliefs and according to Elizabethan and Shakespearian society, women were expected to be chaste, loyal and obedient to men. Throughout the tragedy, Desdemona remains loyal and loving to Othello, despite his abusive, harsh and judgemental treatment as the play progresses. In act 4 Desdemona refers to herself as ‘your wife [...] your loyal wife’ the repetition of the possessive pronoun highlights the idea that she belongs to Othello and all her loyalties lie with him. Even till her death she remains faithful despite him murdering her. When Emilia finds Desdemona’s ‘smothered body’ she asks Desdemona ‘who hath done this’ (5.2.122), Desdemona replies ‘nobody. I myself. Farewell’ (5.2.23) this final quote from Desdemona shows the utter commitment and devotion she has to her