Desdomona Key Bits Flashcards
What is the dramatic function of Desdomona?
-a contradictory character — combination of defiance + conformity
-a paragon of virtue + innocence — sets moral standard for other characters
-a foil to Othello — her purity + innocence draws attention to Othello’s otherness
What are key critical evaluations of Desdomona?
-Lois Potter — “Desdomona has suffered most as hands of theatre practitioners who minimise the role”
-Anne MacDonald — “Desdomona is a passive character who frustrates the audience”
-Kiernan Ryan — “Othello + Desdomona find unleashed upon them…the venomous rage of society whose foundations rocked by their marriage”
“Where hast thou stowed my daughter” 1.2
-patriarchal objectification — D is his property due to the conventions with in society regarding men + their rights
-but Desdomona defies this patriarchy + marries Othello for love despite what her father things — attempts to be here own person but this ultimately ends in her death
-reference to racial attitudes — B talking about O as if he is a criminal + a dangerous person due to his race if he was white B wouldn’t have a problem
“I do perceive here a divided duty” 1.3
-D conflicted/torn — passive victim of the external forces of patriarchy
-torn between staying with her father (the right thing) + going off with Othello (what she wants to do most)
“I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband” 1.3
-conflicted/contradicted character
-D wasn’t stolen away or forced against will — just in love
-short powerful declaration to father that she has married O + that isn’t going to change — defying the patriarchy in name of love
-“let me go with him” — imperative + continuous assertion of devotion + love for O
“She has deceived her father and may thee” “My life upon her faith!” I + O 1.3
-D perhaps reputation of defying patriarchy — may deceive O + Iago plays on this
-rhyming couplet sounds profound foreboding O suspicion + jealous of D to come
-O bets his life that D would never deceive him — D paragon of virtue + fidelity in his eyes now
-O disagrees with Iago slandering her reputation
“Pray you let Cassio be received again” “I pray you talk to me of Cassio” 3.4
-D continuously brings C up again and again
-making her appear guilty as constantly mentioning him and his title
-inflaming O jealous mind completely unbeknownst as to why
-this is followed by O repetition of handkerchief highlighting how D’s obsession with C has got to him
“I have not deserved this” 4.1
-simple powerful clipped lime statement of innocence + undeserving of this accusation
-O refers to her tears as false alluding to her being false
-after O strikes D O completely unrepentant when told should make amends by those who witnessed action
-incredulous disbelief felt by D as so unaware as to why he has changed + engulfed his racial stereotype — loving up to what her father predicted
“She died singing it” (reference to Willow Song) 4.3
-foreboding her death as she sings this
-allusion to the tragedy to come — perhaps moment of D anagnorisis
-she has feeling that she will die soon due to O’s mistreatment of her
“A guiltless death I die” 5.2
-D final declaration of innocence — asserting her victimisation
-D refusing to surrender to patriarchy — O’s authority as husband by confessing — dies as punishment for her ‘rebellions’
“Lend me thy handkerchief “ “I have it not about me” 3.4
-shared lines — handkerchief symbolises D’s fidelity but as she doesn’t have it she no longer has her fidelity it was stolen from her
-O trying get truth out of D
-O believes she cheated with C due to how Iago ‘found’ it — reaffirms jealousy + intensifies situation
-audience expecting release of this jealousy which increases anticipation + alludes to D death
“What wouldn’t thou write of me” 2.1
-immediately establishes her naivety
-encouraging Iago’s schemes + manipulations
-D clearly thinks it’s a game + doesn’t understand his misogyny behind his words — sexism wordplay for Iago’s fun
