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Characterisation / Desdemona - Coggle Diagram
Characterisation / Desdemona
Contradictory Roles
Like Othello, Desdemona has contradictory roles in Othello, she is both
"half the wooer" (Act 1 / Scene 3)
and one of the victims within this tragedy.
Desdemona is an active female who makes her own choices, she doesn't entirely conform to a Jacobean audiences perception of women. She chooses to marry Othello without her father's blessing, and defends Cassio.
Desdemona contradicts early descriptions of her character when she first has an appearance within the play.
Brabantio (her father), claims she is a
"jewel" (Act 1 / Scene 3), and "a maiden never bold, / of spirit" (Act 1 / Scene 3).
From this description, she emerges as an innocent, feminine figure, making audiences unprepared for the brave, sexual, independent woman we see in the senate scene.
Her fearless, sexual character seems troublesome to some critics who wonder whether her participation in crude talk is a negative thing since Iago was able to use her active sexuality against her; making a great deal out of the fact that she deceived her father in order to choose her own husband.
Whilst Desdemona is murdered after not entirely attempting to disregards accusations, she does not die in vain, she fights for her life and asserts her rights to defend herself. To stop her, she has to literally be silenced.
Desdemona becomes a sacrifice.
Female
Desdemona is abused by four male characters within the play; Brabantio, Roderigo, Iago, and Othello.
Her father, Brabantio, misjudges her + rejects her.
Roderigo seeks adulterous liaison with her.
Iago uses her in his own revenge.
Her husband, Othello, ignores her claims for freedom and then silences her via murder.
Othello demonstrates how a woman's character and reputation can be manipulated and distorted by men.
Refers to herself as a
"child at chiding" (Act 6 / Scene 2)
conforming to this girlish perception of women.
Her unworldly innocence is emphasised again in Act 6, Scene 3 when she cannot believe a woman would choose to commit adultery.
Independent yet obedient.
Although Desdemona has disobeyed her father, she expects to submit to her husband's authority.
"My heart's subdued / Even to the utmost pleasure of my lord" (Act 1 / Scene 3).
Despite Othello's cruelty towards her, she refuses to blame Othello for her unhappiness; she declares its her
"wretched fortune" (Act 6 / Scene 2)
.
She learns that "men are not gods" (Act 3 / Scene 4) and this is a disappointment to her.
Whenever Desdemona did assume the role of domestic harpy, it was in order to bring about reconciliation between her husband and Cassio. She believes this is at Othello's best interest.
Not a 'faultless paragon'.
Desdemona lies to Othello about the handkerchief (understandably; he frightens her with his serious talk about it's magical properties).
Iago's sinister plot works, Desdemona becomes increasingly vulnerable and impotent.
After Othello strikes Desdemona publicly, she approaches him with
"I have not deserved this" (Act 6 / Scene 1)
but doesn't stand her ground long before accepting the authority he has over her. We see this with her conversation with Emilia at the start of Act 6, Scene 3.
Desdemona continues to attempt to rekindle her love with Othello, but Othello consistently reduces her, calling her
"that cunning whore of Venice" (Act 6 / Scene 2).