Desdemona (Othello)

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Desdemona by Frederic Leighton

Desdemona is a fictional character in the play Othello by William Shakespeare. She is Othello's wife, and the daughter of Senator Brabantio.

[edit] Character overview

In the play, the villainous Iago successfully persuades Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful and uses this belief to destroy their lives, eventually leading Othello to murder her. Her name, 'Desdemona', means 'unfortunate' in Greek.

[edit] In the play

Desdemona lives with her father in Venice before secretly marrying Othello. She stands up to her father before the Duke and Council, proclaiming her love for Othello; Her father reluctantly accepts the union, but warns Othello that she will deceive him. Desdemona requests that she travel to Cyprus with her new husband. Othello encourages the Duke to agree and requests that Iago's wife, Emilia attend on her.

After Othello's lieutenant Cassio is disgraced, Iago advises that he should confess himself to Desdemona and importune her to put him in his place again. Cassio thanks him for the advice and seeks Desdemona's help. Meanwhile, Iago persuades Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, and Othello becomes jealous and paranoid. Acting on Iago's request, Emilia steals a handkerchief from Desdemona, which had been a gift from Othello.

"Othello and Desdemona in Venice" by Théodore Chassériau (1819–1856)

Desdemona is concerned over the loss of the handkerchief but maintains that it would not cause her husband to grow angry. Emilia is more cynical, especially after Othello violently asks to see it. Desdemona is confused over her husband's behaviour, culminating in his striking of her in public and calling her a whore.

Desdemona is deeply upset by her husband's attacks but continues to assert her love. In the final act, Othello tells her that he knows she has been unfaithful, and is going to kill her. Despite Desdemona's claims of innocence, Othello refuses to believe her, and when he tells her that Cassio has been killed (as was his belief), Desdemona cries. Othello sees this and becomes enraged. Othello suffocates Desdemona, ignoring her pleas for mercy.

Desdemona revives momentarily to defend Othello before Emilia, then dies.

The Death of Desdemona by [[Eugène Ferdinand Victor Delacroix]].

[edit] In other media

Desdemona has been portrayed by several actors in various film adaptations of Othello, including Maggie Smith, Suzanne Cloutier, and Irene Jacob. In O, an adaptation of the story set in a contemporary high school, a character based on her ("Desi") was portrayed by Julia Stiles.