Preview

How Does Othello Love Desdemona

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
5291 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Does Othello Love Desdemona
Othello

Dramatis Personae








Duke of Venice
Othello: Moor, married to Desdoma
Iago: Solider in Othello’s army
Cassio: Lieutenant in Othello’s army
Desdemona: Othello’s wife
Emilia: Iago’s wife
Rodreigo: Solider, love Desdemona

Act I Scene 1
• Read I.1.113-114
Othello begins in the city of Venice, at night
• Roderigo is having a discussion with Iago, who is bitter at being passed up as Othello's lieutenant.
• Though Iago had greater practice in battle and in military matters,
Cassio, a man of strategy but of little experience, was named lieutenant by Othello.
• Iago says that he only serves Othello to further himself, and makes shows of his allegiance only for his own gain
• He admits that his nature is not at all what it seems.
…show more content…
• How Othello sees himself directly influences how he views
Desdemona's love

Analysis: Imagery
• Othello begins to use the black/ white imagery found throughout the play, to express his grief and rage at Desdemona's alleged treachery.
• "My name, that was as fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face," Othello says.
• Although the allegations against Desdemona are personally hurtful to him, Othello focuses more on the public ramifications, rather than the private
• There is great irony in this concern, since this rumored betrayal is a private one, and also since Othello's name is highly regarded, because nothing has really happened.
• Iago's "proofs" also rely on the animal imagery which has run throughout the play
• he makes Desdemona and Cassio seem like lustful lovers, by describing them as "prime as goats, as hot as monkeys" (400).
• This comparison is calculated, since Iago knows that thinking of
Desdemona as lusting after another man disturbs Othello greatly.

Analysis: Handkerchief
• The handkerchief, the most crucial symbol and object in the play.
• The handkerchief, to Desdemona, symbolizes
Othello's love, since it was his first gift to

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    A Moor and renowned soldier leads the Venetian army to victory against the Turks. During this war, he marries a senator’s daughter, Desdemona. Many hold Othello in high esteem; however, his Ensign, Iago, resents him and plots a scheme to ruin his happiness. He plans to make Othello believe that Desdemona and his Lieutenant, Cassio, have an affair after Desdemona and Othello marry. Furthermore, Iago gets Cassio drunk and then stages a fight to turn Cassio against Othello. Iago, whom Othello believes to be honorable, plants the idea of the affair in Othello’s mind; consequently, Othello fills with jealousy and plans to murder Cassio and Desdemona for their disloyalty. Iago makes Othello believe that Desdemona gives Cassio her handkerchief which Othello gives her as a present at their wedding. He also stages a conversation between Iago and himself which implies that Cassio never cares for Desdemona. These events enrage Othello. Therefore, he asks Iago to kill Cassio while he murders Desdemona. Desdemona never knows of Othello’s thoughts or intentions. She believes that he appears hostile because of matters from the State or because of his disagreement with Cassio. Iago’s plan to murder Cassio fails; however, during this time, Othello strangles Desdemona. Later, Othello learns about Iago’s scheme and lies. Othello commits suicide out of despair and love for Desdemona. In William…

    • 1230 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Iago was very devil he lied to Othello so Othello’s' could leave his wife Desdemona. Othello tells Desdemona that she cheated, but she didn't.all that happened because of othello’s lies . his lies were kind powerful and believable. Othello was wise, but iago tried to make him look stupid by making lies about his wife Desdemona. Iago tried every kind trick to make Othello give divorce to his wife, but what Othello did was more than divorce which leaded Iago to a bad ending. Iago brought big conflict between Othello and…

    • 92 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello is a Shakespearean tragedy, set in Elizabethan Times that present the relationship between, Othello, a ‘moor’ who’s an official in the Venetian army and Desdemona, the daughter of a noble Venetian Senator, Brabantio, and how despite their different experiences in love, a strong relationship can occur, without any initial external input. Desdemona’s assertive behaviour towards romantically pursing Othello, demonstrates her confidence and power, which she maintains throughout the play. Most significantly, the fact that Othello did not ask for Brabantio’s permission to marry Desdemona, demonstrates how Othello did not consider the traditional values of Elizabeth society. However as they play develops, Iago’s manipulation of Othello’s insecurities, leads to the relationship between Othello and Desdemona falling apart.…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello's Downfall

    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In Acts I and II, Othello comes across as one of the most respected noblemen in Venice. This reverence is because of Othello's status as a valiant general. In Act II, Montano mentions "For I have served him, and the man commands like a full soldier." (1.36-37). But, not everyone has Othello's best interest at heart. Iago is disgruntled because Othello chooses Cassio as his lieutenant over Iago, stating "This counter-caster he (in good time) must his lieutenant be and I, bless the mark, his Moorship's ancient." (1.1.32-34). Iago basically refers to himself as the water boy of this situation. In response to Othello's choice of lieutenant,…

    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Othello, Iago is able to convince Roderigo that Cassio will ruin their plans to have Desdemona, causing Cassio to be the first victim of murder. Iago prompts the second death by persuading Othello that his wife is a cheater. Iago has Desdemona's handkerchief copied by a prostitute named Bianca. Desdemona tells Othello that she hasn't cheated on him, but Othello doesn't believe her. Already going mad, He recalls the evidence of the handkerchief, and chokes Desdemona to death.…

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Doomed from the start or unlucky beyond belief is what the name Desdemona means. If the readers looked this up, then this would be a hint as to what happens at the end of the play. Othello is a story that is filled with scandal and betrayal. Most of these topics are passed around each character, but they stand out between Desdemona and her new husband Othello. Othello and Desdemona are partly at fault for their failed marriage, but Iago is the main reason that their marriage ended.…

    • 465 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Iago is a cruel and evil man who uses ways to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Othello appointed Cassio, to be his lieutenant. Iago was mad when he heard about it, he believes that he should be the one for the position since he knows more. This started off with his jealousy of Cassio. When Othello and Desdemona got married without letting anyone knowing, Iago begins to plot his plan. He used Roderigo to help him throughout the process of his plan to bring down Cassio. He then told Othello lies to ruin his own relationship. He also use Bianca as his part of the plan. Iago got people into thinking he was a nice honest guy, but he uses other people's jealousy and gullibleness for his own benefit.…

    • 749 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Shakespeare’s play Othello is the story of a man in the military, who meets the woman of his dreams and woos her over with his beautiful story telling. Othello comes across as a very smart man who respects everyone who he crosses paths with, he is the nice guy. Desdemona’s father has no idea of the relationship and believes Othello must have drugged his daughter for her to even think about being with a black man. Othello and Desdemona are madly in love but Iago has an evil plot to ruin their love as he is jealous that Othello gave Cassio a promotion and not him.…

    • 1254 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Othello, the Moor of Venice”, tells the tragic story of a noble hero that is undone by his own fatal flaw. Othello has a blinding trust in those closest to him, and he leads with his heart, not his mind. This fatal flaw is exploited by a supposedly loyal friend and Othello's trusting nature and inability to separate what is in his heart and what is in his mind dramatically results in tragedy. With a running theme of perception versus reality, Othello's refusal to accept the difference between them foreshadows the tragic ending. The play begins with Othello's Ensign, Iago, hatching a plot to destroy the life of Othello and he has recruited Roderigo to help him carry out his devious plan. Iago has everyone fooled into thinking he is of noble loyalty to Othello further supporting the perception vs. reality theme. The reality is that without this belief, he would have been unable to dupe Othello, with these lines “Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago” and “I am not what I am”(59-60). He hates Othello for not being promoted to Lieutenant, a position he felt he earned. Iago's first act of deceit is an attempt to deny the validity of Othello and Desdemona, who recently eloped and to plant the seeds of doubt by having Roderigo tell Senator Brabantio that his daughter Desdemona has eloped with Othello. The Duke believes that Othello has bewitched Desdemona with magic. Desdemona and Othello deny the claims, and she openly declares her love for Othello. The perception versus reality theme is fully explored here. The perception, instigated by Iago, is that the marriage is a sham since the courtship was brief but the reality is that Othello and Desdemona truly love each other and feel they belong together. The Duke sums up the theme very well with “When remedies are past, the griefs are ended/By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended”(202-203); if you can't change something, don't cry about it. When you…

    • 371 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Who Is Roderigo In Act 1

    • 1835 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Iago enters and Emilia gives him the handkerchief. She ask what he plans to do with it and he refuses to tell her. After Emilia leaves, he explains he will plant it in Cassio’s things. Othello enters and complains that Iago has filled him with anxieties. Iago continues to plant worries and says that he saw Cassio use Desdemona’s handkerchief to wipe his beard.…

    • 1835 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Racism In Othello

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Othello is the general of the Venice army and also mentions that he comes from a royal family which makes him as noble as Desdemona. Additionally, he says that “I love the gentle Desdemona”; despite all this the only person that is able to see the caring, strong and valuable side of Othello is Desdemona. Therefore, the visual essay compares the true side of Othello with the Othello that characters like Iago, Roderigo and Brabanito perceives. The play Othello also addresses many real life racial problems. For example, during the Shakespearean era readers of the play found the racial relationship between Othello and Desdemona very interesting. However, many were disturbed by what they saw during the play even though the actor playing Othello was most likely a white actor wearing black face paint. The legal map also demonstrates how little progression there has been since the Shakespearean era until only few decades…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Shakespeare’s play, Othello tells the audience the story of a very successful General of Venice, Othello and how has was deceived by someone he believe to be an honest man, Iago, his ensign. The plot speeds up quickly Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago. Iago vows revenge and slowly convinces Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity with Cassio, the lieutenant to whom Othello had given the position Iago had sought. Iago also gets Roderigo to help him in his evil plan by telling him that he can have Desdemona if he helps get rid of Cassio. Oblivious to Iago’s master plan Othello is ultimately a victim of his own naïveté.…

    • 1559 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In this passage, the Duke of Venice asked Othello why he loves Desdemona, he tells him that his love has grown as Desdemona would listen to his stories about war and pity them. By Othello saying this it provides evidence that there is no fundamental foundation binding this relationship together. Othello is basing his love on pity instead of the strong affection and feelings that is necessary to hold or keep a relationship together. This clearly lays out that the relationship between the two is not really based on much. Albert Gerard discusses how Othello 's lack in self- knowledge contributes to his poor judgments.…

    • 858 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Love In Othello

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Desdemona holds the handkerchief in utterly different regards than Othello. Seemingly she holds it dearly as it was the first token of love given to her by Othello. Nevertheless, in the scene when she offers it to him for his headache she drops it and does not notice its disappearance for a while. It is not until act three scene four “where should I lose the handkerchief, Emilia?” that she becomes away aware of her negligence with it (3.4.21). Historically this token of love was a common gesture during Elizabethan England that was traded amongst couples. Apparently “…Handkerchiefs were elaborate and expensive symbols of love, especially between upper-class couples. Moreover, the strawberry motif was one of the most popular embroidery…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Othello Identity Essay

    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Shakespeare's 'Othello' is the study of how a seemingly successful Venetian general, is skilfully manipulated by the cunning Iago, who by exploiting Othello’s insecurities transforms his identity into a jealous murderer. At the beginning of the play, Othello’s identity is that of an assiduous black general who fought exceptionally hard to gain respect in a white dominated society. In marrying Desdemona, Othello adds to his identity by being a lover and husband and his identity is portrayed to be interconnected to his love for Desdemona. Iago is jealous of Othello’s high standing and greatly respected identity and therefore undermines Othello’s confidence in his wives faithfulness and turns his identity into an irrational jealously. Shakespeare utilises a number of key techniques in ‘Othello,’ to indicate the extent of Othello’s identity changes. These changes are effectively conveyed to the audience through the contrast of Othello’s outward appearance with his affable interior. They are further…

    • 1152 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics