What does Desdemona stand for?
for more unique definitions from across the web! What does DESDEMONA mean? Desdemona is a character in William Shakespeare's play Othello. Shakespeare's Desdemona is a Venetian beauty who enrages and disappoints her father, a Venetian senator, when she elopes with Othello, a man several years her senior.
What does the name Desdemonia mean?
What does Desdemona mean? Desdemona as a girls' name is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Desdemona is "wretchedness". Literary: in Shakespeare's "Othello", Desdemona is the beautiful, innocent heroine, wrongly accused of adultery by her husband. STARTS/ENDS WITH Des-, -ona. ASSOCIATED WITH greek, literary, beautiful, heroine.
Why does Iago say he loves Desdemona?
why does iago say he loves desdemona? because he loves that he can use her so easily and efectively in his plan. what do we know about iago;s plan thus far? hes using cassio and desdemona against othello. what two reasons are given for celebration? marriage and the turkish fleet being destroyed.
What are Desdemona's weaknesses?
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.Desdemona also shows weakness in allowing men to mistreat her; in the beginning of Othello, her father disowns her, Iago uses Desdemona for his own revenge throughout the whole play, and then Othello who ignores and silences her for innocently protesting to reinstate Cassio.
How is Desdemona described in Othello quotes?
Her father describes her as pure, meek and subservient, 'a maiden never bold' (Act 1, Scene 3), yet when confronted by him she promptly defends her choices in a public forum, and says she will 'trumpet them to the world' (Act 1, Scene 3) and willingly follows Othello to Cyprus.
How is Desdemona described by Iago?
He says, "Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature" (2.3. 20); Cassio is agreeing that she's attractive, but he refrains from drawing any conclusions about her sexual inclinations. Iago answers, "What an eye she has!
How is Desdemona presented at the start of Othello?
Like Othello, Desdemona contradicts early descriptions of her character when she first appears in the play. Her father tells us that she is his jewel (I. 3.196), a maiden never bold, / of spirit (I. 3.95–6), modest and opposed to marriage, afraid to look on Othello.
How is Desdemona viewed?
Desdemona is regarded as an independent, headstrong and determined to live her life as she wanted. Shehad no qualms about going against her father to marry a Moor in a time when racial prejudice was a norm. Lisa Jardine's “Women as Shrews” theory represents Desdemona as shrew.
How is Desdemona presented?
Desdemona is depicted as a paragon of virtue, a beautiful, loving wife, and a woman of high rank and culture. None of this is enough to protect her from Othello's wrath: once he is convinced, on Iago's word alone, that she is an adulterer, there is nothing that will change his mind.
How is Desdemona depicted in Othello?
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.
What type of character is Desdemona?
Desdemona is one of the most pitiable victims among English heroines. Encompassing all the good traits, a lady of spirit, intelligent, devoted, a loving wife, but she fails to justify her love to her husband and is murdered by her husband in a fit of jealous rage.
Was Desdemona beautiful?
Desdemona is a beautiful, young, white, Venetian debutante. And she's a total Daddy's girl... until she falls head over heels in love with Othello. She refuses to marry any of the rich, handsome Venetian men that everyone expects her to marry.
What does Desdemona symbolize?
Answer and Explanation: Desdemona's death symbolizes the corruption of innocence in the play since she is the only pure figure in Othello.
Was Desdemona a good wife?
Desdemona, Othello. Desdemona is a character in Shakespeare's Othello. She is one of the most pitiable victims in all of Shakespeare's plays. A devoted, loving wife, she is murdered by her husband in a fit of jealous rage.
Is Desdemona too good to be true?
Desdemona has been criticised as a two dimensional character who is simply too good to be true; a paragon of virtue who embodies everything that is pure and true in humanity.
What does Desdemona say just before she dies?
Then Desdemona's voice is heard from the bed, saying "falsely murdered" and Emilia calls for help. Desdemona says that she is innocent, denies that anyone has killed her, and dies.
How does Iago describe Othello?
Iago uses a lot of animal imagery to describe Othello. In Act 1 Scene 1, he calls him a 'Barbary horse' and an 'old black ram', using these images to make Desdemona's father angry and telling him that Othello and Desdemona 'are making the beast with two backs'.
Was Desdemona beautiful?
Desdemona is a beautiful, young, white, Venetian debutante. And she's a total Daddy's girl... until she falls head over heels in love with Othello. She refuses to marry any of the rich, handsome Venetian men that everyone expects her to marry.
What names does Othello call Desdemona?
' He goes on to call her an 'impudent strumpet' and 'a whore. ' Strumpet is another word for whore. Desdemona is heartbroken and confused, but no matter how she defends herself and swears her fidelity, Othello does not believe her.
How was Desdemona treated in Othello?
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. Her naïve nature made her an easy target for the antagonist in the play.
What does Desdemona say in the end?
In the end, Desdemona's voice is silenced, and she takes credit for her own murder. She states, 'Nobody, I myself' when questioned about who harmed her. Although she lived most of her life independently, Desdemona dies submissively and weakened. Lesson Summary.
What does Desdemona tell Emilia?
When she hears Iago criticize women, Desdemona tells his wife Emilia, 'do not learn of him, Emilia, though he may be thy husband' (Act II, Scene 1, lines 163-164).
What does Desdemona do when Cassio defends Othello?
When Desdemona comes to the defense of Cassio and encourages Othello to reinstate his title as lieutenant, Othello is firm and lets Desdemona know he will not do what she wants him to do. When her husband begins to think she is unfaithful, Desdemona has to convince him that she is an obedient wife.
What happens after Desdemona and Othello marry?
Shortly after they marry, Othello and Desdemona announce their marriage, which is not customary in Venetian society. Desdemona is not concerned about her husband's ancestry or the disapproval she receives from others.
What is Desdemona's character in Othello?
In the beginning of the play, Desdemona was a strong woman who defied traditional Venetian beliefs, but as the story goes on, her strength is weakened, and her relationship with her husband diminishes.
Why does Desdemona marry Othello?
Othello explains that Desdemona is marrying him because he is adventurous, and she loves his stories and lifestyle. Othello is a strong, popular, and well-respected soldier. When questioned by her father about her husband she states, 'But here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord' ( Act 1, Scene 3, lines 184-188). She confidently tells her father that she will be loyal to her husband, just as her mother had been to him.
What degree does Shamekia have?
Shamekia has taught English at the secondary level and has her doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
What is Desdemona's character?
Desdemona is an embodiment of all the good traits. All the characters of the play are well familiar with her characteristics even the villain of the play Iago names her “fair Desdemona”. Othello was not only impressed by her beauty but her other kind traits attracted him to marry her. Othello names her “gentle Desdemona”.
Why is Desdemona not so clever?
Desdemona herself is not so clever so that she can judge the plan of Iago. Now her lover does not love her like he did when they had newly fallen in love. Seed of suspicion in mind of Othello grew very soon and became jealous of Cassio’s courting with Desdemona (although it was not true).
Why is Desdemona's dream spoiled?
Desdemona dreams of leading a peaceful and romantic life were spoiled because Iago is still behind them trying to spoil their life to take revenge from Othello for not promoting him. Desdemona has some clue that there is something going wrong between her and her husband but her innocence and complete devotion to her love made her helpless.
What does Cassio call Desdemona?
Cassio also calls her “divine Desdemona” and “virtuous Desdemona” while Desdemona’s maid, Emilia refers to her as “sweet Desdemona”. When Cassio was removed from his post and requests Desdemona to request from Othello on his behalf to restore his position she replies:
Why does Othello fall in love with Desdemona?
Othello falls in love with her for her beauty, loyalty, grace and innocence. Desdemona seems passive, meek and submissive and her innocence is her main weakness that leads her to death. From the outset of the play Desdemona is just as innocent as she is pretty. Othello falls in love with her and persuades her to elope with him.
Who is responsible for Desdemona's death?
Desdemona died the undeserved death which makes her an innocent victim of others wrongdoings. Iago and Othello are equally responsible for her death who paid for what they did. Desdemona is just made to pay for having fallen in love with an adventurous military general, Othello.
Who is Desdemona in Othello?
Desdemona is a heroine in Shakespeare’s Othello. She is the daughter of the respected Venetian Senator Brabantio. Desdemona is one of the most pitiable victims among English heroines. Encompassing all the good traits, a lady of spirit, intelligent, devoted, a loving wife, but she fails to justify her love to her husband ...
Who takes Desdemona's hand and speaks with her privately for a moment?
Cassio, courteous as always, takes Desdemona's hand and speaks with her privately for a moment. Iago notices, and says that this... (full context) Othello arrives, in triumph. He is overjoyed to see Desdemona, and says that he is so happy and content he could die now.
Where does Desdemona stay?
Though the Duke at first suggests that Desdemona stay in Venice with her father, Brabantio, Othello, and Desdemona all object, and the Duke... (full context) Brabantio exits, but not before warning Othello to watch Desdemona —since she disobeyed her father, she might disobey her husband. (full context)
What does Emilia tell Cassio about Othello?
Emilia enters, and tells Cassio that Othello and Desdemona have been talking about his situation. Desdemona spoke strongly in his favor. Othello responded that... (full context)
What is the scene in Act 2 Scene 1?
Act 2, scene 1. The Venetian ship carrying Desdemona, Iago, Emilia (Iago's wife), and Roderigo is the next to arrive. As soon as they... (full context) As they wait for Othello to arrive, Iago and Desdemona banter.
Who did Desdemona elope with?
Yet he has just learned that Desdemona has eloped with Othello, the Moorish (North African)... (full context) Iago and Roderigo go to the house of Brabantio, a senator and Desdemona's father. They shout from the street that Brabantio has been robbed. Brabantio comes to the... (full context)
Does Desdemona love Cassio?
In fact, Iago says, Desdemona already loves Cassio, and he asks if Roderigo noticed them touching hands. Roderigo did, but... (full context)
Does Desdemona have the handkerchief?
Uncomfortable, Desdemona says she doesn't have the handkerchief with her, but that it isn't lost. When Othello... (full context)
Why are Desdemona's eyes magical?
To Othello, Desdemona's eyes have been magical "charms" because when he sees them he feels love, not murderous hate. But now he says that the magic of her eyes has been blotted out ("forth") of his heart, and so he's ready to kill her.
What does Cassio mean by Desdemona's description?
By saying that Desdemona "paragons description and wild fame," Cassio means that she is more beautiful than any possible description of her beauty, more beautiful than the wildest story of any woman's beauty.
What does Roderigo tell Iago about Othello?
Roderigo is reluctant, and Iago finds it necessary to remind him of what he's about to lose. He tells Roderigo that unless something happens, tomorrow Othello "goes into Mauritania and takes away with him the fair Desdemona" (4.2.224-225). In a moment, Roderigo begins to agree to Iago's plan. [ Scene Summary ]
What does Iago say to Othello after seeing the handkerchief?
After Othello has seen the handkerchief in Cassio's hand, Iago encourages Othello's murderous mood by reminding him that Cassio gave the precious handkerchief to his whore. Iago's point is that both Cassio and Desdemona are trash, like the whore. For once, however, Othello doesn't respond exactly as Iago has planned.
What does Iago tell Roderigo about Desdemona?
Later in the scene Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is already in love with Cassio. Roderigo seems shocked, and says, "I cannot believe that in her; she's full of most blessed condition" (2.1.249-250). Nevertheless, Iago persuades Roderigo to go along with his scheme to get Cassio fired from his position.
Why did Iago leave Othello early?
[ Scene Summary ] Alone with Cassio the first night in Cyprus, Iago says that Othello left early because "he hath not yet made wanton the night" (2.3.16) with Desdemona.
Why does Iago give Desdemona the prize?
It's possible that Iago considers Desdemona a "prize" just because she's beautiful. When Brabantio arrives to confront Othello, he says that it's impossible that "a maid so tender, fair and happy" (1.2.66) could ever love a scary black man like Othello. [ Scene Summary ]
