She is the epitome of perfection of a woman of that time: beautiful, graceful, non-confrontational, and unshakable in her love for her husband. Desdemona does not have Ophelia’s weakness nor Juliet’s immaturity.
Similarly, What does Desdemona represent in the play?
Desdemona was the faithful wife of Othello in Shakespeare’s play. She was kindhearted and wished for all to be well with the male characters, and it is her sympathy towards Cassio which made Iago’s lies more credible. It is her naïve nature that made her an easy target for the antagonist in the play.
Additionally, What kind of woman is Desdemona? Desdemona is a lady of spirit and intelligence. For all the claims of military straightforwardness of some other characters, Desdemona is the most direct and honest speaker in the play. Her speeches are not as lengthy as those of the men, but with Desdemona, every word counts.
How does Othello describe Desdemona in Act 1?
He goes on to call her an “Impudent strumpet” and then calls her “that cunning whore of Venice.” The use of strong language and Othello’s open denunciation of Desdemona’s character clearly indicates the way that his love and joy in his marriage and relationship with Desdemona has been gradually eaten up thanks to the …
Is Desdemona weak or strong?
Desdemona is a strong and independent woman. She spoke for her herself, refused to be crushed under the feet of patriarchy. However, her position as a woman made her vulnerable. Though she asserted her individual personality but under the impact of a male dominant society she could not exercise her freedom.
How does Desdemona defy gender roles?
Desdemona is now seen as a woman who is not submissive to her lords, because if she disobeyed one, she will disobey all. By transgressing the female conformity of submissiveness, Desdemona becomes and aberration. Therefore, Desdemona’s defiance is also characterized through the disobedience to her father’s will.
Why is Desdemona a strong character?
Desdemona is a strong and independent woman. She spoke for her herself, refused to be crushed under the feet of patriarchy. However, her position as a woman made her vulnerable. Though she asserted her individual personality but under the impact of a male dominant society she could not exercise her freedom.
How does Desdemona change throughout the play?
Like Othello, Desdemona undergoes a dramatic transformation over the course of the play. At the play’s beginning, Desdemona’s an adventurous spirit—when her new husband is called away for military duty in Cyprus, she begs to go with him and can’t stand the thought of remaining at home where there isn’t any action.
What type of person is Desdemona?
The play, then, depicts Desdemona contradictorily as a self-effacing, faithful wife and as a bold, independent personality.
What is Desdemona personality disorder?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder in Othello
In any discussion of narcissists in literature, Shakespeare’s Othello makes for fascinating study.
How is Desdemona kind hearted?
Her beauty, loyalty, grace and innocence are her most important traits. She is good and kind hearted and from a noble family but lacks the penetrating wit of Portia. Compared to Portia, Desdemona seems passive, meek and submissive. Her innocence is her primary weakness that leads her to death.
How is Desdemona described in Othello?
133–134 ). The play, then, depicts Desdemona contradictorily as a self-effacing, faithful wife and as a bold, independent personality. … Since her first lines, Desdemona has seemed capable of meeting or even rising above those demands. In the end, Othello stifles the speech that made Desdemona so powerful.
What does Othello say about Desdemona?
When Iago tells Othello that Brabantio will try to annul Desdemona’s marriage, Othello says, “But that I love the gentle Desdemona, / I would not my unhoused free condition / Put into circumscription and confine / For the sea’s worth” (1.2. 25-28). “Gentle” means kind, refined, and of a good family.
How does Othello view Desdemona?
Othello fails to see the Desdemona, who is independent in her conduct and affairs and only sees her husband for his ‘mind’ and his achievements rather than look elsewhere for wealth and status. He sees her as a wanton whore who deserves the harshest of punishments, which is death.
Was Desdemona weak?
Desdemona is believed to be a weak female character by many critics. This has stemmed from the apparent strength that she first shows in act 1 scene iii to her death in act V scene ii. Those that understatement Desdemona’s character miss out on the vast wit and cunning she revels in act IV scene iii.
How is Desdemona weak in Othello?
Desdemona shows blatant signs throughout the whole play that she fails to realise she is being manipulated by the main vice character Iago. Another weakness which can come to view is Desdemona’s tendency to poke her nose into Othello’s public life, which is unnatural for a woman to do in the Elizabethan era.
Is Desdemona a strong character in Othello?
Desdemona is portrayed to be more able than the women and as able as the men in the Venetian society. Unlike other women in Othello, Desdemona proves to be very strong and relentless in her beliefs and love. In Othello, Desdemona proves to be very strong and liberated.
Is Desdemona a victim of patriarchal society?
Desdemona is a strong and independent woman. She spoke for her herself, refused to be crushed under the feet of patriarchy. However, her position as a woman made her vulnerable. Though she asserted her individual personality but under the impact of a male dominant society she could not exercise her freedom.
Why Desdemona is a weak character?
Desdemona does seem to be an all rounded person however it is her weaknesses, which brings about her downfall. Desdemona shows blatant signs throughout the whole play that she fails to realise she is being manipulated by the main vice character Iago. … Another weakness Desdemona faces is the mistreatment of men.
How does gender play a role in Othello?
Gender relations are pretty antagonistic in Othello. Unmarried women are regarded as their fathers’ property and the play’s two marriages are marked by male jealousy and cruelty (both wives are murdered by their own husbands).
What makes Desdemona a unique character?
Desdemona is at times a submissive character, most notably in her willingness to take credit for her own murder. … The play, then, depicts Desdemona contradictorily as a self-effacing, faithful wife and as a bold, independent personality.
Who is the strongest character in Othello?
The most powerful character in the play is the Duke of Venice, who is in the greatest position of authority. It is his job as Duke to give military orders and make decisions. Brabantio tries to command Desdemona not to marry Othello. He has the right to make this decision because he is her father.
Why does Desdemona say she killed herself?
Trapped by Iago, Othello comes to believe that his wife is unfaithful to him. He thinks he must kill her to prevent her further adultery. At her death Desdemona tells a lie that she had killed herself. … Her lie is a lie of love and sheds light on the whole story, making it noble and dignified.
Did Desdemona actually cheat on Othello?
Desdemona never cheats on Othello. She loves him and is faithful to him. Iago manipulates Othello through lies and innuendo into thinking that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio.