In this lesson, we take a look at how this relationships evolves throughout the play. Through analysing this play, one can come to understand the dangers of racial injustice in relationships, especially in the relationship of Othello and Desdemona and the setting of the play, thus the conventions of the time. Iago leads the group that goes to fetch her. 236]). your own paper. Copyright © 2003 - 2020 - UKEssays is a trading name of All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. Othello, who for all intents and purposes, is essentially a brave and valiant soldier, who can be seen as predominantly good. At the heart of Shakespeare's "Othello" is the doomed romance between Othello and Desdemona. The incompatibility of military heroism and love is evident throughout the course of the play. Company Registration No: 4964706. This is a further example of Desdemona’s continuity of values and purity. This intense relationship between the two lovers hastily becomes a weapon for evil and is exploited as Othello’s weakness, due to his belief that his personal identity is in his reputation ‘I have done the state some service, and they know’t,” as though he thinks that his reputation for service should be weighed against his crime in Act 5 Scene 2, he then changes his mind, sayingequivocating, “No more of that” and continues on to say how his reputation will remain, as an honourable man. However, his words and shifts are carefully calculated to inspire jealousy. Desdemona’s purity is often juxtaposed against the rather racist attachment of a bestial aspect to Othello’s character; ‘you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse’ is Iago’s graphic miscegenation tosays Brabantio. Get Your Custom Essay on, By clicking “Write my paper”, you agree to our, By clicking Send Me The Sample you agree on the, Othello's Tragic Flaw in the Play by William Shakespeare, https://graduateway.com/othello-and-desdemonas-relationship/, Get your custom It is this wider impact of intense relationships and the fact that Ttheir relationship is unstable and unsuited based on racial difference and Othello being an outsider to Venetian society that captivates audiences and resonates beyond the play’s original context. Venice was traditionally a patriarchal society clearly dominated by men and therefore saw Desdemona’s decision to marry a black man as an act of rebellion, not only against her father but the norms of society. This might be more acceptable in a 21st century audience, in comparison to a 16th century audience, who will, most certainly, frown upon such a display of affection between a white aristocratic female and a black male, who is only the General in the Army. He breaks away from the normal structure of the tragedy by including melodramatic elements which serves as catalysts to cause the controversy to the central morals of the play. This shows that Desdemona does not feel any remorse or concern knowing that she probably will be frowned upon and degraded by the Venetian society due to her relationship with Othello. Sadly, there are many aspects from the people around them, which in the end begin to ruin this happy, and relationship. She doesn’t understand what’s happening and keeps talking to him about Cassio, which makes it worse. Due to her naivety in this belief, this unfortunately seals her death warrant. This identifies to the reader audience where Othello’s jealousy comes from;, it is through his reputation as a honourable military general that he is proud and believes he has purpose. The symbolic handkerchief is used as a ploy, when planted in Cassio’s bedchamber by Iago, to make it seem as if Desdemona is not loyal to Othello. Othello, no doubt, is very important to Venice. Similarly, her naivety is seen when she speaks to Emilia and Emilia convinces her that there are indeed women who are deceitful to their husbands. She should obey her father but she defied him. This might be interpreted in the fact that Othello was more necessary and important to Venice than Brabantio. It is through Othello being too literal and failing to penetrate others complexities that he doesn’t appreciate nor understand other characters in the play. Othello then kills himself, realising his mistake and feeling guilty for murdering his innocent wife. Emilia starts to develop a friendship with Desdemona and sticks with her when Othello starts to condemn her actions. Othello describes his courtship of Desdemona in a dignified and persuasive speech (76-93 and 127-169) and asks the Duke to send for Desdemona so that she may speak. As Othello’s closing comment notes, Desdemona has arrived, and can now be questioned regarding her relationship with her now-husband. Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is doomed from the very beginning because of the setting of Venice. The Duke also considered loyal Desdemona, who clearly displayed her unconditional love for Othello by asking whether she can accompany him to Cyprus. Intriguingly, the deliberate words of Brabantio ‘Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father, and may thee’ re-enforces the prelude to the tragedy. In the final act, Othello and Desdemona’s intense, but fatally flawed, relationship is exhibited for the last time through the murder of Desdemona. Desdemona and Othello Well, that escalated quickly. There are many intense and extreme relationships between characters to emphasise for audiences the depth of tragedy within Othello. Othello tells Iago to have Emilia watch Desdemona, and Iago tells Othello to watch how Desdemona acts regarding Cassio. Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is based on admiration and pity rather than love;, eventually, the destruction of their relationship, due to Iago’s revenge for his own sundered relationship, leads to the downfall of Othello and the determination of many other characters’ lives. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy, The input space is limited by 250 symbols. This can also be seen as one of the elements that prepare us for the tragedy to come. In William Shakespeare’s ”Othello”, the relationship between Othello and Desdemona changes rapidly. One is the wife of the play’s tragic hero-Othello; the other is betrothed to one of the greatest villains of all time-Iago. Desdemona, being initially a faithful and loyal daughter, which is expected from a woman of the 16th century, has to present an image of being meek and docile. This only is the witchcraft I have used. The contrast between The Moor Othello and the gentle Desdemona in Shakespeare`s tragedy Othello is noteworthy. Desdemona had never even considered this possibility within any marriage. ” the play seems to say that marriage based on an innocent romantic love or profane love is bound to fail. This again reinforces the male dominating hierarchy over the inferiority of women and clearly shows that wives are indeed possessions of their husbands. Othello and Desdemona have peculiar relationship to say the least. The importance of this scene illustrates how truly innocent Desdemona is, innocent of the crime of adultery, which she has been wrongly accused, by her husband, Othello and innocent in regard to the ways of the world. When Iago confirms, ‘for I do know the state …cannot with safety cast him; for his embarked with such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,’ the audience immediately connects with Othello on a military level. Reference this. In light of the above statement, Othello, is most certainly one of Shakespeare’s more famous tragedies. Desdemona, although hurt by Othello's words and a little beating, still remembers her husband as the Othello she knew from before. You can view samples of our professional work here. He has a role of massive importance, in the army, being a General, however, he is clearly masked by some major flaws, evident in the jealousy, distrust and insecurity that he feels towards his wife, Desdemona. Arguments that see Desdemona as stereotypically weak and submissive ignore the conviction and authority of her first speech (“My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided duty” [I.iii. When Desdemona asks Othello to restore Cassio to his position and Othello doesn't immediately agree to do it, she appeals to him in the name of their love, saying, "Good love, call him back" (3.3.54).Othello tries to put her off, but she keeps talking and eventually says, "Tell me, Othello.I wonder in my soul, / What you would ask me, that I should deny, / Or stand so mammering on" (3.3.68-70). One is the wife of the play’s tragic hero-Othello; the other is betrothed to one of the greatest villains of all time-Iago. Othello is torn between his extreme love and the intention to kill his wife because of her presumed infidelity. Explore the representation of at least ONE intense human relationship in Othello, evaluating its significance in the play as a whole. Their intense and passionate relationship develops throughout the play’s course from ordered to out of orderchaos as it is torn apart by malicious schemes, such as the symbolic handkerchief, set in place by Iago. 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