Othello Group

Question:

j-a-y-j-a-y
j-a-y-j-a-y
Student
College - Senior

What is Desdemona's role in "Othello"?

i want to know what her role is and what she is portrayed to do, also who is she and her personality

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Posted by j-a-y-j-a-y on Saturday October 25, 2008 at 6:19 PM and tagged with desdemona, iago, othello, plot, theme.

Answers:


  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Desdemona is Othello's loving wife, who was born to a Venetian senator. Although Othello is not of nobel birth, a Moor and probably dark-skinned, Desdemona loves Othello simply for who he is. This allows Iago to place suspicion in Othello's mind about how faithful she is. Her role is to serve as a catalyst for Othello's jealousy and eventual downfall, which is engineered by Iago. Desdemona seems clueless that she is being manipulated by Iago and cannot imagine that Othello would mistrust her because she has done nothing to deserve his mistrust. However, Othello,like many self-made men, is still insecure in his success and is therefore open to Iago's suggestions that Desdemona is unfaithful, Othello kills his wife in a fit of jealousy and then is so remorseful and dishonored that he kills himself.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/othello/

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Saturday October 25, 2008 at 7:15 PM


  2. brandih

    eNotes Editor

    This question has also been discussed on the discussion board.  Please check the link below for more information!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/othello/group/discuss/analyze-desde...

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    Posted by brandih on Friday October 31, 2008 at 10:16 AM