Engl lit(A2) Othello essay. Is Desdemona a victim?

Help!!!
Am writing an essay on Desdemona being a victim and need some advice as this is my first essay for A2 and need some pointers, any ideas?

Reply 1

Rachel_manc

7

It's been some time since i did this for a level but will try to help you...
I would say desdemona is most certainly a victim - could be argued that she is the most innocent party in the whole play. she is a victim of her father's wrath, iago's actions and othello's jealousy. She is also a victim of emilia's betrayal, although it is most widely believed that emilia didn't know what she was doing in giving iago the handkerchief.

Evidence of her victimisation is when she has the argument with othello, and he has total disregard for everything she is saying, as well as the obvious - her murder, iago's use of her to achieve his aims despite her innocence...

In counteracting this argument, you could claim that she knew her father would be angry about her marrying othello, which is why she did it in secret, and therefore in a way she was asking for trouble...although here she was a victim of society's views of black people.

Can't think of much else right now, maybe more will come back to me. i miss english!

Reply 2

aimeelou

She also married Othello naively - hardly knew him at all. That argues against her being a victim.
In some ways she was a victim of her own fantasies - wanting to live the exciting life that attracted her to Othello.

I hate Desdemonda. I think she was a total naive fool and the word 'victim' takes away too much fault on her part. She shows a lot of wisdom in Act 1 when she stands up to her father and defies prejudice, so why does she have to act like a complete naive fool for the rest of the play?

Reply 3

waiting2smile

2

Rachel_manc

It's been some time since i did this for a level but will try to help you...
I would say desdemona is most certainly a victim - could be argued that she is the most innocent party in the whole play. she is a victim of her father's wrath, iago's actions and othello's jealousy. She is also a victim of emilia's betrayal, although it is most widely believed that emilia didn't know what she was doing in giving iago the handkerchief.

Evidence of her victimisation is when she has the argument with othello, and he has total disregard for everything she is saying, as well as the obvious - her murder, iago's use of her to achieve his aims despite her innocence...

In counteracting this argument, you could claim that she knew her father would be angry about her marrying othello, which is why she did it in secret, and therefore in a way she was asking for trouble...although here she was a victim of society's views of black people.

Can't think of much else right now, maybe more will come back to me. i miss english!

I would argue Desdemona is a victim, whether or not she supposedly ‘brought it on herself’. Although she appears to be a forthright, sharp and confident woman (as clearly demonstrated in her first speech) she is abused by those whom she trusts including her father who completely renounces his daughter after her defence. Her honest, compassionate, forthright qualities are used against her by Iago who exploits her innocent desire to help Cassio. She is betrayed by Emila who supposedly loves her (she betrays her privileged position as Desdemona’s attendant by giving Iago the handkerchief) but what is worse is she is distrusted, mistreated (IV.I. line 236 – “I have not deserved this” when Othello strikes her), and completely overwhelmed by the unsubstantiated jealousy from the man she indisputably loves. She was honest, trusting, loyal, and caring about all those around her – she was the ultimate victim.

But again counter arguments could include: - She saw death as imminent and passively did nothing about this; additionally her first speech indicated she had the power/independent to rise above the circumstances etc…

Engl lit(A2) Othello essay. Is Desdemona a victim?

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