Desdemona

Question 1

Quotes that show Desdemona is a property of her father

Answer 1

1. “My daughter is not for thee” (I,i,99)
2. “O thou foul thief” (I, ii, 62)
3. “stolen from me” (I, iii, 60)
4. “jewel”

Question 2

Quotes that show Desdemona having the virtues expected of women by men to be perfect - modest and passive

Answer 2

1. “A maiden never bold/”
2. “Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion/”
3. “blush’d at herself/”
   (I,ii, 94-96)

Question 3

Quotes that show Desdemona is a confident and devoted wife

Answer 3

“My heart’s subdued/ Even to the utmost pleasure of my lord/ I saw Othello’s visage in his mind/ And to his honours and his valiant parts/Did I my soul an fortunes consecrate”
(I,iii,247-251)
“I will my Lord” (iv,iii)

Question 4

Quotes that show Desdemona’s strength of character

Answer 4

She is adventurous, sees past cultural conditioning in falling for Othello - brave
1. “She lov’d me for the dangers I had pass’d” (I,iii, 166)
2. does not wish to be “moth of peace” (254) but wishes to follow him to Cyprus

Question 5

Quotes that show Desdemona is lively and spirited

Answer 5

Tells Emilia not to be over-ruled by Iago,
1. “Alas, she has no speech”
2. “Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband” Not submissive, passive

Question 6

Shakespeare gives Desdemona an aside to suggest that a women can only engage in playful banter with other men, if she establishes that she is not flirting

Answer 6

“I am not merry, but I do beguile/ The thing I am by seeming otherwise”

Question 7

Quotes that show Desdemona is determined but naive

Answer 7

“If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it/ To the last article”
“rather die/Than give thy cause away”
“I think the sun where he was born drew all such humours from him.” - Othello incapable of jealousy
“there be women do abuse their husbands in such gross kind?” - unaware of cuckholdery within marriage

Question 8

Quotes that show Desdemona is a passive victim of her husband’s public abuse

Answer 8

1. “I will not stay to offend you”
2. “Truly an obedient lady”
3. “To preserve this vessel for my Lord” (line 84 as conugal property)

Question 9

Quotes that show Desdemona is innocent

Answer 9

1. “If she be false, O then heaven mocks itself” (III, iii 275)
2. “Am I that name, Iago?” (IV, ii 117)
3. “If any there be, heaven pardon him”

Question 10

Quotes that show Desdemona is a martyr/tragic heroine

Answer 10

1. “it is my wretched fortune” (127)
2. “If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me/In these sheets (IV, iii. 23-4) - the Willow song
3. “Commend me to my kind Lord” (V, ii 126)