Desdemona Flashcards
I do perceive here a divided duty
Des must chose her male authority in her first scene, this immediately shows her devotion to Othello as his servant, this loyalty endangers her
Do not doubt Cassio, but I will have my lord and you again as friendly as you were
Des overestimates her influence, this shows dramatic irony as she is ignorant to the trap she falls into
I think the sun where he was born drew all such humours from him
Des is naive to Othello’s character, and also views him as different and mysterious, or perhaps she just does not know his origin well
His unkindness may defeat my life but never taint my love
Dramatic irony, Des foreshadows Othello’s murder and her consistent devotion which shows her ignorance
Beshrew me if I would do such a wrong for the whole world
Des is naive in her marriage and innocent, this is part of her weakness and downfall
Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight
Even in murder Des does not ask to be spared but only to be delayed, still so devoted to Othello she accepts his choice
It has yet felt no age and known no sorrow
Des has lived a simple, ignorant, naive life before Cyprus
If I be left behind a moth of peace
Des wants adventure and action, dramatic irony as she experiences action
With a greedy ear devour my discourse
Des fell for Othello because of his stories, she longed for adventure
Our great captain’s captain
Des is described as leading Othello, ironic as she lacks any autonomy or control
I have not deserved this / I never gave him cause / your true and loyal wife
Des remains secure in her loyalty to Othello showing her strength
Nobody. I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord.
In death Des takes responsibility showing her devotion to Othello
A guiltless death I die
Des continues to protect her innocence to death, showing her honesty and sincerity
