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Explore the presentation of Desdemona in Othello?
Shakespeare portrays the character of Desdemona as submissive and vulnerable to societal
expectation of women as she is targeted throughout the play for her infidelity and inability to
stay loyal to her husband
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Perhaps Shakespeare utilises Desdemona’s constant objectification to display
the unfair treatment of Venetian women in the Jacobean era and how a man’s honour and pride
relies fully on his wife’s loyalty and sexuality
...
This is evident in Act 1 when she and Othello declare their
love for one another
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Brabantio is projecting the 16th century views on
what a woman should be thus, suggesting Desdemona meeting and allegedly eloping with a
Moor is improbable
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This is also evident
through Iago’s description of Othello’s sexual relationship with Desdemona, “a black ram is
tupping your white ewe
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However, this image of a victim contrasts as the play progresses when
Othello accuses her of adultery thus, her image of a victim is shattered as she is now perceived as
a whore solely due to being unable to conform to these standards women were meant to portray
within their marriage
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This is further accentuated towards the
middle of the play, when her relationship with Othello deteriorates, instead of communicating
with her husband, Desdemona becomes overwhelmed by Othello's insane jealousy which results
in him attacking Desdemona, first verbally when he insults her in Act 4 “I took you for that
cunning whore of Venice” and physically by slapping her and ultimately causing her demise by
smothering her in the final act of the play
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C
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She conforms strongly to the
Elizabethan societal constructs that she can't help but be a submissive wife
...

On the other hand, Desdemona holds a unique position with the play, she is held with respect and
high esteem by the other male characters
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Despite the implication of Othello
wooing and perhaps exploiting Desdemona, Shakespeare reveals how Desdemona was an active

figure in their romantic affair as Othello states she would come ‘and with a greedy ear devour up
my discourse”
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Othello’s talks of how Desdemona came to love
him reveals how she fell in love with him through his stories and hearing of his distant
adventures
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Her passion and desires appear
almost primal and animistic as ‘devour’ denotes to hungrily consuming something
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Desdemona clearly has
sexual desires highlighting the unrealistic expectations of chastity
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As while she fails to support herself in her alleged affair, she strives hard to mend Othello and
Cassio’s relationship as well as her own
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Shakespeare, however, portrays Desdemona as an object and possession of men thus reinforcing
the oppression from society, causing Desdemona to become the submissive wife presented to us
through both her marriage and her sexuality
...
This is evident when Iago tells Brabantio of
their relationship, “'thieves, thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!”
Here Shakespeare reveals the highlight and main cause of Desdemona’s oppression, male
honour
...
This is also illustrated toward the middle
of the play when Desdemona is being accused of infidelity which causes Othello to want to 'I
will chop her into messes! Cuckold me?' Thus, reflecting the Jacobean beliefs on how a women’s
infidelity, damages or even destroys as her husband’s masculinity and honour even without any
proof, Othello relies solely on Iago’s word, demonstrating the lack of trust and respect women
have as he completely disregards her rebuttal towards her accusations, highlighting her
oppression due to her sex and sexuality
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Thus, summarising
Desdemona's tragic fate overall as while she challenges these stereotypes, she fails to fight back
these accusation against her and remains loyal and obedient to Othello till the end
...

This presentation of Desdemona as the embodiment of innocent love and purity is made clear
throughout the play, especially within Act 5 as she seems to be blinded by love despite Othello’s
clear hatred towards her after committing alleged infidelity
...
Desdemona's
innocence leads her to her tragic death as she continues to believe Othello is not jealous and his
unrequited love for her still remains, "His unkindness may defeat my life, but never taint my
love” Desdemona’s loyalty is evident here as she prioritises her love over herself however, this
may be seen as childish and naïve as she clearly has no knowledge on love and marriage
...
Her inability to understand Othello’s harmful intentions towards her is
evident towards the end of the play when Othello is has revealed his violent intentions, “Kill me
tomorrow; let me live tonight
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However, she accepts her fate, highlighting her
submissive traits as a woman and attempts to reason with him to delay her death
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Her acts of independence and integrity attracts other female characters such as Emilia,
who at the throughout the play quietly obeys Iago and remains submissive and loyal to him
because of Jacobean norms and expectations of Venetian women to maintain their loyalty
towards their husbands
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“If any wretch
have put this in your head
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Overall, Shakespeare's portrayal of Desdemona reinforces the act of oppression Venetian women
receive due to being regarded as a possession by their fathers and husbands rather than as an
equal which Othello fails to commit to within the play
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