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Desdemona's Infidelity In Othello

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John Lennon once said, “It’s weird not to be weird”. Such a society is non-existent in William Shakespeare’s Othello, in which any non-conforming belief has the potential to become very dangerous or even life-threatening. Voicing these opinions which go against societal thoughts lead to the downfalls of multiple characters in the play. Desdemona’s opposition to racism, Emilia’s extreme feminism, and Iago’s apparent belief of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness are what ultimately lead these three people towards their deaths or tortures. Desdemona rebels against society by marrying an African American named Othello, which leads to her murder. Desdemona looks past the colour of his skin and claims that she fell in love with Othello for his stories; however, …show more content…

Although men were not feminists and didn’t like to receive attitude from their wives, society agreed on a general consensus that Desdemona was a fair and loyal woman. When she arrives in Cyprus, Cassio orders everyone to kneel before her and calls her “the grace of heaven” (2. 1. 90). Therefore, society respects Desdemona and holds her to very high standards of kindness and loyalty. Despite not believing it himself, Iago voices an opinion that violates this trend and tries convincing others of its validity. Iago, who hates Othello and wants to ruin his marriage, hints to him that Desdemona “may fall to match [him] with her country forms” (3. 3. 243). By saying that Desdemona will inevitably compare Othello unfavourably to white Italian men, he plants the seed of doubt in Othello’s head that Desdemona might be disloyal. Furthermore, once Othello finds out about Iago’s true intentions, Iago is arrested and tortured. After Emilia calls her husband out, Othello requests that she “demand that demi-devil why he hath ensnared [Othello’s] soul and body” (5. 2. 314-315). Since Iago uses the unpopular belief of Desdemona’s falseness to get Othello to murder her, Emilia exposes him, and he is tortured. Therefore, by convincing Othello of an opinion which goes against society, Iago causes his own downfall. In summary, the world of Shakespeare’s Othello is a very hostile

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