Desdemona

Question 1

‘divided duty’

Answer 1

women are expected to fulfil roles: devoted daughter and dutiful wife to maintain the patriarchal structure,

Question 2

Desdemona as assertive and defiant to her father

Answer 2

‘I challenge that I may profess, due to the moor my lord’ - she champions for her right to accompany Othello to Venice , highlighting her commitment

Question 3

For Desdemona being in love has liberated her and brought optimism to her spirit even in the face of bigotry and adversity

Answer 3

‘the heavens forbid but that our loves and comforts should increase’ A2S1

Desdemona’s unconditional love endures even in her untimely death ‘his unkindness my defeat my life but never taint my love’ A4S2

Question 4

Whilst other characters succumb to vice, Desdemona remains loyal; even faced with death she continues to love and forgive Othello. As she realises her death is imminent, she chooses to stay beside him and accepts her death without blame or challenge.

Answer 4

‘a guiltless death i die’
‘nobody. i myself.’

Question 5

female agency

Answer 5

meticulously orchestrated by men

Question 6

willow song

Answer 6

inevitability of her incoming death, relating ti the tragic structure of the play

Question 7

Desdemona is a paragon of virtue, even when she is accused of adultery she maintains her innocence and ultimately die a martyr of the female cause.

Answer 7

Cassio sess her as a ‘maid/ that paragons all descriptions ‘ A2S1
Othello views her as an ‘excellent wretch’

Question 8

like her husband, Desdemona demonstrates skill with her words, utilising her empathy and diplomacy to maintain peace in midst of conflict

Answer 8

This is demonstrated when she appeals to her father ‘I do perceive here a divided duty’ A1S3

also when she appeals for Cassio to be reinstated , telling him ‘thy solicitor shall rather die, than give thy cause away’
(I’d rather die than fail on your behalf)

she exhibits extreme altruism, sacrificing herself for the needs of others , this is made apparent through her death, which was in part caused by her staunch advocacy for Cassio.

‘he hath left part of his grief with me, to suffer with him’ A3S3 others’ burdens become her own.

Question 9

Desdemona’s death is necessary in order for Othello’s manhood to be reinstated