Revision:Othello - Desdemona Notes

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Summary of Character

• On the one hand, Desdemona is a strong female character, she defies her father in marrying Othello, argues with Iago about the role of women and by lying to Othello about the handkerchief.
• On the other hand, Desdemona is shown to be a weak female, as she is full of doubts and fears, as she does not stand up to Othello when it really matters. She also seems resigned to the fact that she will die.
• Desdemona is a typical upper class woman of the 17th century, she is devoted and loyal to her husband.

Key Quotes

• "My sweet Desdemon"
• "A most exquisite lady"
• "i am Obedient"
• "Your wife my lord, your true and loyal wife"
• "let nobody blame him, his scorn i approve"
• "Kill me tomorrow- let me live tonight!"
• "A guiltless death I die!"

Key Themes for Desdemona

• Love
• Marriage
• Feminism

Key Critics Quotes for Desdemona

• "The silly woman his wife"- Rymer
• "She passes from being his ally who would guarantee his white status to his sexual and racial other when her husband sees her as an adulteress" - Ania Loomba
• "A woman without sense because she married a blackamoor"- Rymer
• "the soft simplicity of Desdemona, confident of merit and conscious of innocence"- Johnson

Desdemona and Women in Othello

• Women are not equal to the men of the play in neither size nor stature. However, there could be an explanation for this as it is set in a military context; one which is traditionally male dominated.

• In Shakespearean society actresses were not socially accepted, all female characters were played be males. The battle between men and women further extends into their personal lives.

• Women lack both power and importance in the play, as made clear by Iago 'You rise to play and go to bed to work' , making it clear women have no particular role in military society

• Women portrayed as victims by Shakespeare, men determine society and social organisation.

• Women are viewed as trophy wives; true of Desdemona, indicative of this is Brabantio and Othello’s discussion of trading Desdemona. Othello comments 'I won his daughter'. This demonstrates that Othello, who is perceived as an honourable man, can sympathize with the view that women are possessions.
• The Female suffering in Othello is solely the result of men’s actions. Murder is considered a fit punishment for dishonesty or supposed unfaithfulness. Contrasting male characters as Iago is not killed for his dishonesty

• Desdemona does not seem to have any strong female influences she is motherless and practically has no friends. She has led her life under the protective influence of her father.

• Ironically her name in Greek means 'The unfortunate' and as we know she is ultimately murdered by her Husband who believes her to be unfaithful.
• She is abused by 4 of the male characters
  • Othello who ignored her protestations of innocence
  • Barabntio who misjudges her and then rejects her
  • Iago who uses her for his revenge
  • Rodrigo who seeks an adulterous affair

she demonstrates that a woman can be manipulated and deceived by men.

• Desdemona can be considered a sacrificial victim for Iago's web of lies and deceit. Christ refused to condemn the women who committed adultery, yet Othello who professes to be a devout Christian, takes the role into his own hands.

• Men wished to marry virgins but have whores available at their disposal (double standards). Desdemona is ignorant of sex, but there is typical of her class, (Queen Victoria refused to believe in the existence of Lesbians). She refused to believe that men could be unfaithful to their husbands. It is possible she may not even have known what was involved in the consummation of marriage

• Desdemona’s active sexuality is necessary to the play. As Iago makes a great deal that she deceived her Father in order to choose her Husband. Her sexuality is also used as a means to destroy her marriage.

• Desdemona refuses to blame Othello for her unhappiness, she declares it is her 'wretched fortune'.

• Othello values his wife dearly, she is considered a trophy for his military victims, he compares his loss of Desdemona to the possible loss of Cyprus to the Turks. It can be questioned if Desdemona was seduced by Othello's storytelling powers.

• It is poignant that Othello greets Desdemona before the other characters when he arrives in Cyprus. Demonstrating Love is put before war and emphasizing the domestic focus of the tragedy.

Comments

Originally posted by *~vicki~* on TSR Forums.