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The Two Sides of Desdemona
William Shakespeare is, to date, one of the best writers the world has seen. His plays continue to challenge existing stereotypes while the characters he has created are dynamic, and they help question the various realities of life. The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is an equally intriguing play with one of the best characters ever created being Desdemona. Shakespeare first introduces this character in a one-dimensional manner; however, as the plot within the play develops, the character of Desdemona grows into an intriguing individual that conforms to and challenges the societal standards of her time. The character of Desdemona is a riddle that grasps the audience’s attention and calls into question the societal expectations placed on people based on their gender. In the play “The Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice,” Shakespeare successfully creates the character of Desdemona, an intriguing and complex individual who challenges the oppressive expectations of her society while possessing the expected traits women are encouraged to have. These two sides to Desdemona are both inspiring and intriguing.
Shakespeare first introduces Desdemona as a beautiful, young, white Venetia lady of noble birth. Her noble family belongs to the ruling class of her society, a position that grants her the image of moral and societal superiority among the people of Venice. Desdemona’s positive image and societal privilege are evident through the adjectives other characters use to describe her. For instance, Othello, who becomes her husband, calls her ‘gentle Desdemona.’ Other adjectives used to describe Desdemona by characters such as Cassio, Emilia and Lago include divine, virtuous, fair, and sweet. These positive annotations encourage the audience to view Desdemona’s character as noble and pleasant, further cementing the belief that Desdemona’s character is amicable, obedient, and loyal to the societal expectations set for women of this era.
As the play progresses, other characters continuously describe Desdemona as a woman of innocence and perfection. For instance, Cassio refers to Desdemona as the “most exquisite lady” and the “most fresh and delicate creature .”Both male and female characters present these positive references that allude to Desdemona’s beauty and innocence, giving the image that Desdemona is viewed as the epitome of an innocent beauty that maintained her chastity. The Character of Emilia refers to Desdemona with terms such as “honest, chaste, true, angel and the sweetest innocence.” Before being manipulated into doubting his wife, Othello, Desdemona’s husband, constantly refers to Desdemona with terms such as “a sweet woman, a fair woman, fine woman, virtuous, honest, gentle and very sweet.” Also, Othello claims that “the world hath not a sweeter creature .”The use of these positive terms by multiple characters throughout the play also reveals that Desdemona is a popular individual of her time who was renowned for her physical beauty and her personality that exuded gentleness, fairness, and honesty. Desdemona’s positive image is not only limited to the people around her, but she also views herself in a positive light. For instance, Desdemona refers to herself as “a true and loyal wife.” This reference shows the audience that Desdemona is aware that other men appreciate her beauty; however, she remains faithful to her husband. The positive references about Desdemona are what guide the audience into seeing through Lago’s heinous plot against her and her husband.
Other than the terms used to describe Desdemona, other ways Shakespeare portrays Desdemona in a positive light is through her actions. For instance, when Lago insults and shares his negative views about women with his wife Emilia, Desdemona immediately stands up for Emilia by yelling, “O, fie upon thee, slanderer.” This remark shows Desdemona’s outrage at hearing Lago’s negative views about women and his insult to his wife. By standing up for Emilia, Desdemona is seen as loyal and protective of Emilia despite being her maid. The level of Desdemona’s outrage seen through her yelling also shows that she views the insult Lago’s made about women to be directed at not just his wife but all women in general. Therefore, her fierce response is an indicator that Desdemona does not condone unjust behavior. Other ways the play shows Desdemona’s loyalty and compassion to her friends is seen through her reaction to hearing that Cassio lost his lieutenancy. She not only confronts her husband and offers Cassio her help, but she also promises to help restore his friendship with her husband. Desdemona’s loyal traits are also apparent in how she relates with Othello despite him accusing her of infidelity. She reminds her husband that she truly loves him and continuously tries to settle their dispute by constantly asking him for time to talk things out. Desdemona shows her respect for people despite their social status through these acts. Her actions also show that she is loyal and respectful to the people around her despite the challenges she faces.
Desdemona can be largely described as a demure and innocent woman from the examples above. While this side of her is true, Shakespeare also highlights a different side of Desdemona. As the play progresses, the audience is shown that Desdemona is an independent woman that is courageous enough to speak her mind despite living in a society that is controlled by men. “Free and bounteous to her mind” is a phrase that Othello uses to describe Desdemona, and it shows that he understands that Desdemona is the type of woman that speaks her mind freely. This trait is most apparent when Desdemona stands against her father and resolves to marry the man she loves. In the Venetian society, it was expected that women marry the men their parents chose for them. By defying her father’s choice, Desdemona shows that she is courageous and independent of her mind. In Act 1, Scene 3, Desdemona compliments Brabantio, her father, for fulfilling his duties as a father; however, she also informs him of her decision to be with the Moor and her unwillingness to marry any other person but her love interest. The resolve and firmness to stick by her decision and turn against her father, a man with high power, defies the stereotypical gentleness and submissive nature expected of the women in this society. Moreover, Othello, the man she chooses to marry, is a Moor and an outsider. Though Desdemona’s resolve to marry such an individual would be seen as absurd in this society, her resolve to follow her heart shows great levels of independence.
Another way Desdemona reveals her independence and feminist traits is through her courage to speak freely. Desdemona’s courage to speak her mind despite living in a patriarchal society is first evident when she tells her father about her love for Othello. Later, the audience is shown that Desdemona also speaks freely to her husband as in Act 3, Scene 3, Othello says that Desdemona is “free of speech.” Her courage in saying what she wants at a time when women were expected to be seen and not heard equates to defiance, and it shows how her character embodies feminism. Desdemona’s independence is also apparent through her resolve to restore her husband’s friendship with Cassio. In pursuit of this goal, Desdemona is forced to hide her intentions from her husband. Though this act further adds to the disharmony and distance between herself and Othello, her resolve to keep making efforts to reconcile her husband and Cassio shows Desdemona thinks independently.
Desdemona’s final act of independence and courage is seen through her tragic death. Before her death, it is apparent that Desdemona is aware of her imminent death because she asks Emilia to bury her in her wedding sheets should she die first. Staying by her husband’s side despite the risk of death shows that Desdemona was courageous enough to accept her death. Moreover, she chooses to stay with Othello despite the protection her powerful father would provide her. Also, when Desdemona awakes to find Othello standing over her with the intent to kill her, Desdemona sings the song her mother taught her. This action shows Othello that she was blameless despite the acquisitions made against her and reminds him that she chose to love him despite his jealousy. In the end, Desdemona’s song can also be seen as a form of forgiveness. Also, forgiving her husband for his actions as he smothered the life out of her shows great courage and resolve. These traits set Desdemona apart from other women in her society as they reveal her resolve to live her life based on her terms.
Throughout history and in different societies, women are the passive victims of oppression. In the play “The Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice,” Shakespeare created a character that was defiant of the oppressive expectations forced upon her. This defiance is evident every time Desdemona asserts her personality and speaks her mind. These traits of courage, independence, decision-making, and freedom reveal a side to Desdemona that is different from other women in her society that choose to conform to the oppressions forced upon them. While Desdemona is an independent individual, Shakespeare also revealed that Desdemona also embodied the expected characteristics of innocence, beauty, and fairness. Desdemona is arguably one of Shakespeare’s most intriguing characters as she possesses the quality expected of women in her society, but she also challenges the oppressive nature of her society. Overall, the Two sides to Desdemona are both intriguing and inspiring.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. Vol. 24. Penguin, 2001.
