Desdemona Flashcards
What are the 5 archetypes of Desdemona?
Ingenue
Mediator
Strong female protagonist
Doting wife
Martyr
How can Desdemona be classified as an ingenue? (3 points)
She is ignorant of the workings of military culture, creating friction between her and Othello,
She is also tragically unaware of toxic masculinity, maintaining that her husband is ‘made of no such baseness / As jealous creatures are’ (3.4), even when faced with his fury
Her naive outlook on married life is recalibrated by Emilia’s down-to-earth wisdom
How does Shakespeare indicate that Desdemona is not an ingenue? (2 points and 3 quotes)
He portrays her as the perfect ‘maiden’ - she is innocent, kind, loyal and selfless
However, it is implied that her innocence exists largely in the perceptions of others - partly a concoction of male fantasy
Brabantio: “a maiden never bold,” (1.3)
Cassio: “a maid / That paragons all description,” (2.1)
Othello: an “excellent wretch” (3.3)
How does Shakespeare portray Desdemona as a mediator? (6 points)
Her character is often placed in the middle of tensions and conflicts
In these situations, she is diplomatic and empathetic with her language, aiming to resolve any difficulties
She is extremely selfless, sacrificing herself for the needs of others - ends up dead partly for her perseverance in representing Cassio
Ex 1: Othello vs Brabantio
- She appeals to her father, “I do perceive here a divided duty,” (1.3)
Ex 2: Othello vs Cassio
- Appeals for Cassio’s case, telling him, “Thy solicitor shall rather die / Than give thy cause away,” (3.3)
- Explains to Othello, “He hath left part of his grief with me / To suffer with him,” (3.3), illustrating that others’ burdens become her own
How does Shakespeare portray Desdemona as a strong female protagonist in Act 1? (3 points)
Brabantio calls her a “maiden never bold” (1.3) but Shakespeare presents Desdemona’s assertiveness and self-assuredness
In her opening address, she openly defies her father: “I challenge that I may profess / Due to the Moor my lord,” (Act 1 Scene 3)
She fights for her right to accompany Othello to Cyprus, revealing her bravery and fierce commitment
How does Shakespeare portray Desdemona as a strong female protagonist in Act 5? (3 points)
She defiantly maintains her innocence in the face of Othello’s lies and fury: “That death’s unnatural that kills for loving […] A guiltless death I die,” (5.2)
She doesn’t hesitate to confront Othello with what he has done, refusing to surrender to his authority as her husband.
Shakespeare implies she is killed as punishment for her rebellious resolve
How does Shakespeare portray Desdemona as a doting wife before Act 3? (3 points)
Desdemona is unwavering in her love; it lifts her spirits and liberates her - “The heavens forbid / But that our loves and comforts should increase.” (Act 2 Scene 1)
She explains to the Senate, “My heart’s subdued / Even to the very quality of my lord. / […] To his honours and his valiant parts / Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate,” (Act 1 Scene 3), meaning their lives are linked forever
With religious imagery that evokes the wedding ceremony, Shakespeare shows her commitment entirely to her husband
How does Shakespeare portray Desdemona as a doting wife after Act 3? (3 points)
In the face of her society’s severe disapproval, oblivious of lago’s conspiring, she feels invincible and optimistic for the future - love empowers her
This unconditional love endures even when she knows Othello means to murder her: “His unkindness may defeat my life, / But never taint my love.” (Act 4 Scene 2)
She is faithful to him in mind and body, rendering her as the ideal wife
How does Shakespeare portray Desdemona as a martyr before Othello confronts her? (3 points)
As the play reaches its denouement, she becomes forlorn as while her dialogue was full of lively, colourful imagery before, she now speaks of death
E.g. “If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me / In one of those same sheets,” (Act 4 Scene 3) - feels imprisoned with no way out but death
She accepts this, as shown by her funeral request to Emilia - might be interpreted as a surrender and a loss of courage, or as a strength of will
How does Shakespeare portray Desdemona as a martyr when Othello confronts her in Act 5 Scene 2? (3 points)
She yields to Othello’s judgement and accepts the blame for her murder, but also protests her innocence and is willing to die for what she believes to be true
Othello discovers her innocence when it is too late, exposing the flaws in his judgement and in patriarchal society as a whole: “this look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven.”
In death, Desdemona becomes a saint: “heavenly true”
