Desdemona As A Submissive Character In Shakespeare's Othello

229 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Role of desdemona in othello essay

While the majority believes Desdemona is a strong women, a few may argue that she is not for her obedience to Othello shows a sign of weakness. Later on in Othello, Desdemona may be interpreted as a submissive character because of her actions when Othello displays physical strength. However, this is not true because when Othello strikes her, Desdemona is still able to hold her ground towards him, even though he is her husband. After going back and forth with Othello about the situation between her and Cassio, Othello abusively strikes Desdemona for he suspects she has been sleeping with Cassio. This did have Desdemona to retreat, but ultimately had her say, “I have not deserved this” (4.1.269). From these few concise words the audience can

Show More
Related

  • Emilias Contemporary Stand

    829 Words  | 2 Pages

    As Desdemona constantly denies his accusations, Othello becomes very angry. He asks for her forgiveness (jokingly) and says “I took you for that cunning whore of Venice” (Act IV, scene ii, line 93). Desdemona is left mad by Othello’s ridicule and listens to Emilia’s contrasting attitude.

    Read More

  • Act Two in Understanding Desdemona in Othello by William Shakespeare

    1076 Words  | 3 Pages

    I’ll make thee an example” Only because Desdemona has been awaken he will do harm. Desdemona is shown in many different ways in this scene; Iago’s many faces has different opinions of Desdemona; one of sexual desire, one of hate, one of friendlyness. Othello is deeply in love with her and sees nothing but joy and innocence. Cassio only sees goodness and compliments her in every possible way. Desdemona herself is a young woman but brave, strong and witty; her presence in Cyprus and leaving her father and marrying in secret all show her brave and less innocent side.

    Read More

  • 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

  • The Muzzled Voice In Shakespeare's Othello

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the play Othello is convinced by Iago that Desdemona has had an affair with Cassio, when really Iago is trying to bring as much misery into Othello’s life as he possibly can. At one point Othello, Desdemona, and a few others are talking with Desdemona’s cousin and everything that Desdemona says helps to convince Othello that she is in love with Cassio. Eventually Othello gets mad enough and slaps her in which she reacts in a much different manner than most women of that time period would have. “Othello: I am glad to see you mad. Desdemona: Why, sweet Othello - Othello:Devil! [Strikes her.] Desdemona: I have not deserved this (4,1,217-220).” This is not the only time we see Desdemona tell Othello that he is wrong in his actions. Later, in act four, he calls her a “whore” and accuses her of sleeping around and rather than taking the heat and dealing with the verbal abuse Desdemona speaks out. “Othello:...Impudent strumpet! Desdemona: By heaven, you do me wrong! (4,2,81-82).” Desdemona tries throughout the rest of the play to convince Othello that she is faithful to him and loves him, but as hard much as she tries Othello does not believes any of it and ends up killing her. Shakespeare has made this very vocal female character to show women that even if they were to speak their mind and try to defend themselves no man would ever believe

    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

  • Self over Love

    1752 Words  | 4 Pages

    The true test of strength in a person is marriage. Throughout the play Othello, Desdemona is regarded as a strong, independent woman with a sharp tongue and the ability to stand up for herself. She defies the stereotypical mold of a wife during the 17th century, and is not merely an obedient servant of Othello, but a strong life partner with her own ideas and personality. Her passionate, yet rushed relationship to the Moor, Othello, gives readers the opportunity to discover whether or not Desdemona’s strength allows her to achieve her superobjective in the entire play: to maintain a happy, loving relationship with her husband, or if her strength becomes a hindrance.

    Read More

  • The Manipulation Of Jealousy In Shakespeare's Othello

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    She never truly changes, even after all of the hardships that she faces throughout. Her final words illustrate how powerful and loyal she was. She says to Emilia, “Nobody; I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. O farewell” (V, ii, 125-6). Before saying this, Othello strangled and tried to kill Desdemona. He thought that she was dead, but just as Emilia came in, Desdemona said her last few words. Emilia asked her what happened and who had done this to her. And in response, Desdemona said that quote above. Although Othello was the one who killed her, she did not want to expose her husband. She remained loyal to him even after all of the terrible things that he did to her. Desdemona never said anything negative about Othello throughout the play, and did not use animal imagery once. Although not every character was evil, the ones who used animal imagery were truly separated from those who never used

    Read More

  • Desdemona from Othello

    1373 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Greek, Desdemona means ‘the unfortunate’, perhaps reflecting an ideology that she is not meant to be liked, merely pitied for her misfortune as a tragic victim (commonly defined as someone who dies due to the faults of others). Throughout Othello, Desdemona is presented as pure and innocent – in regards to this, Auden’s comment is unusual as Desdemona is seldom criticised; indeed many critics are complementary, giving her titles such as ‘gentle Desdemona’.

    Read More

  • othello

    578 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Act 1. Desdemona admits that she fell in love with Othello's eloquence and harrowing adventures; 'I saw Othello's visage in his mind'. This outlines his sense of nobility in language,which empahsis how much of an experienced warrior ans revered noble man he is. Moreover Desdemona reveals Othello's nobility of love, 'She loved me for the dangers I had passed/ I loved her that she did pity them'. She succeeds in unveiling a side in Othello's nature which show him as a loving, respectful husband. He is clearly trustful of Desdemona and is not by any means jealous of him, as he allows her to travel to Cyprus with Iago,' To his conveyance I assign my wife'.

    Read More

  • Desdemona's Downfall Analysis

    1737 Words  | 4 Pages

    These lines are the first hint given that Desdemona may not have always been completely captivated by her husband. These words, not denied by Othello, sit in contrast to his own. Upon hearing her words, Othello seems a changed man, depressed and submissive, his new attitude brought on by “Desdemona’s own honest account of her original feelings for Othello and the role Cassio played in Othello’s winning of her” (Macaulay 269). With just a little concern for Othello’s own pride, Desdemona have chosen to withhold some words or soften their blow. Instead, her own pride continues to lead her headlong onto a destructive

    Read More

  • Theme Of Honour In Othello

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    From this point on, Othello insecurity manifests into a seemingly irrational fear of being cuckolded, and his self-perceived worth diminishes exponentially. Othello comments on the likelihood of Desdemona cheating, by explaining how it may be “for [he is] black / And have not those soft parts of conversation / That chamberers have…” (3.3.280-282) Othello’s frustration with the threat of being cuckolded puts strain on his relationship with Desdemona, and she quickly becomes a victim of domestic abuse. For example, Othello acts as an interrogator, demanding to see the handkerchief which he gave her that symbolizes faithfulness and commitment towards Othello. (Quotation) When she is unable to produce their symbol of trust, Othello’s anger manifests inside him. The audience is shown a stark contrast to Othello’s typically cool, collected and composted nature. This abrupt and irrational change in behaviour is emphasized when Othello strikes Desdemona in front of Lordovico, (4.1.245) Othello’s

    Read More

  • The Relationship Between Othello and Desdemona

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Relationship Between Othello and Desdemona We first learn of there being a relationship between Othello and Desdemona when Iago and Roderigo are telling Roderigo (Desdemona's). Father, that ''an old black ram is tupping your white ewe''. This is referring to Othello and Desdemona having sexual intercourse, and. Shortly after hearing this, we became informed that Desdemona is "Tying" her duty, Beauty, Wit, and Fortunes In an extravagant and wheeling. stranger''.

    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

  • Reputation In Othello

    886 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the same way as the male characters of the play, Desdemona’s reputation has a great influence on her life and ruination. However, unlike the male characters, Desdemona’s reputation is destroyed solely by sexual accusations. Through steady manipulation, Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, thus ruining her reputation and her

    Read More

  • Othello Feminist Analysis

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    Desdemona didn't ask her father to be allowed to marry Othello, but proclaimed to her father that she is no longer faithful to him, but to her husband, Othello. Desdemona was anticipated to be obedient and loyal, but proceeded against her very own lineage to marry the man she adored. At that time, women had no say in everything they did, but the fact that Desdemona was capable to betray her very own father is a testament to William Shakespeare and his revolutionary method of thinking. Desdemona also stood up for other women. After Iago degraded other girls according to their looks, skin colour, and wits, Desdemona defended them noticing what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving girls.

    Read More

More about Desdemona As A Submissive Character In Shakespeare's Othello

Open Document