I like this thoughtful analysis.
On Desdemona's passivity at the end, which you think might be "frustrating"
to watch for a modern audience, I wonder if even Shakespeare's own audience
would have mixed feelings. Desdemona starts off noticeably independent and
assertive. She defies her father and the conventional expectations of
Venetian society (they would expect her to marry someone like Roderigo) and
defends herself vigorously and successfully in front of the Senate. She
even persuades them to let her go with Othello on his mission to Cyprus.
Later we see her conducting a lively and equal-seeming relationship with
her new husband. She appears as a liberated woman who has broken the
submissive-daughter and submissive-wife role. This leaves her rather
vulnerable, and perhaps would leave Shakespeare's audience a little uneasy
(of course some, especially perhaps the women in the audience, might be
wholeheartedly cheering her on.) She has also risked everything on her
faith that Othello even though he is so different from her in background is
a good and trustworthy person. (Othello tells us a couple of times that he
has risked everything on Desdemona, too.) Then her confidence is shattered
by the drastic change in Othello -- and in confusion and heartbreak she
takes on the submissive wife role as if that is the only way she can see to
win Othello back. How do you prove you are not a "whore" in their terms
once accusations are being flung around? Oddly enough it is Emilia who
takes on the assertive woman role at the end, specifically denying *her*
husband's authority (look at the passages where Iago tells her in
ugly-husband fashion to shut up and go home).
At 05:22 AM 8/26/2001 -0700, you wrote:
>What is Desdemona's view of Othello?
>
>Desdemona's view of Othello is complex in nature, as
>her love is underestimated at first glance. The
>audience first suspects the relationship is one of
>pure girlish admiration, but as the play progresses
>the true nature of Desdemona's love grows evident.
>
>Desdemona understands her choice in marrying Othello
>and believes he is a just and honest man. She plays
>the role of the conventional housewife and obedient
>companion of the early 17th century, treating her
>husband as her master and showing him utmost repect
>(thought to be the main element of love at the time).
>
>However contemporary audiences would find this 'love'
>questionable and wonder if it has more to do with
>Othello and Desdemona's own idealistic views reflected
>in each other's minds, than with love itself
>
>'I saw Othello's visage in his mind
>and to his honours and his valiant parts
>Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.'
>
>Desdemona loves Othello for his strength and wishes
>for hers to be proved; Othello loves Desdemona for
>this very perception of strength she sees in him.
>
>'She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
>And I loved her that she did pity them.'
>
>In her dying speech Desdemona proves unconditional
>love and respect for Othello as she tells a lie on her
>deathbed to save his repetoire. Modern audiences would
>find this unrelenting obedience frustrating as she is
>completely passive to Othello's dominance.
>
>Yr 11 St George Girls
