Desdemona’s father accuses Othello of using magic to get Desdemona to fall for him but Othello reassures him that he does not use magic, he just tells stories. “...She loved me for the dangers I had passed And I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used” (1.3.66-168). Barbantio thinks that it is unnatural for his daughter to love an older black man. Because Othello understands Barbantio’s uncertainty he explains to Barbantio that despite their differences Desdemona
Othello is presented as a respectful and honorable prince loved by all, but unexpectedly he grows an enemy, Iago. Iago vows to get vengeance on Othello because Othello made Cassio his lieutenant instead of Iago. Iago then takes control of fate in the play as he diabolically invents a plan to manipulate Othello into believing that Desdeomona was having an affair with Cassio. Furthermore, Othello’s tragic flaw was that he was gullible, therefore eventhough Othello was infatuated with Desdemona he chose to believe in Iago’s lies about Desdemona’s “affair”. For example, throughout the entire play, Othello committed irrational actions voluntarily because he was overtaken by jealousy that Iago developed with lies.
Desdemona asks Emilia if women who cheat on their husbands actually exist. When Emilia replies that she would consider doing it if she got enough out of it, Desdemona says, “I do not think there is any such woman” (4.3.83). Despite the evidence right in front of Desdemona that people are willing to have affairs, she still holds her belief that no one would ever do such a thing. Desdemona tells Iago and Emilia that, “Unkindness may do much, / and his unkindness may defeat my live, / but never taint my love” (4.2.159-61). She even admits that she may end up dead, but that it won’t affect her love and trust in Othello.
Emilia knows that Othello believes that Desdemona has cheated on him with Cassio, but the interesting factor is that Emilia knows that is not true as she arguably knows Desdemona the most out of all the characters. Desdemona's isolation prior to her death is “ attributable to the onlookers' nonintervention” (Vanita 343). Emilia was aware of the abuse that Othello put upon Desdemona even though she knew the accusations against her were false “For if she be not honest, chaste and true,/ There’s no man happy; the purest of their wives/ Is foul slander” (Shakespeare 4.2.18-20) but still leaves Desdemona in isolation with Othello, even though she was aware of what he believed. When Othello confronts Desdemona with the claims of cheating Othello commands Emilia to “Leave Procreants alone and shut the door;/ Cough or cry “hem”
Farewell!” For the valiant warrior, Othello, we must all learn that there is always more than one side of the story. Othello’s mind was so poisoned by Iago’s lies about Desdemona and Cassio that in his jealous rage, he forgot to find out the truth between Desdemona and Cassio from them and other witnesses. He loved Desdemona with all his heart and soul, but his pride and his gullibleness destroyed
Many crimes of passion are the result of jealousy. “Othello” shows readers how the jealousy of one or two people can result in violent actions and even death. In “Othello,” Roderigo was in love with Desdemona, who was already married to Othello. He teamed up with Iago, who possessed envy because Cassio had been promoted to the position Iago desired. Together, Iago and Roderigo plotted to destroy Cassio’s image and reputation as well as Desdemona’s marriage.
However, this changes quickly, as Othello can begin recognize his lower social status in later acts, with the main character transition taking place in Act III. This leads him to see just how valuable Desdemona is, and begins the spiral of jealousy and self doubt that continues our story. In Olson’s reading, Othello even credits his own fate as the problem, stating that he was destined to have an unfaithful wife, rather than recognizing the class divide in his
This respect for her character manifests itself when she witnesses in front of the duke. He makes a point of hearing Desdemona’s testament. “What would you, Desdemona?” (I.iii. 247). Iago’s cruel claims about Othello’s “witchcraft” are invalidated by Desdemona’s testament; her word is trusted over his.
Othello angrily turns to Iago and yells “ O, devil, devil!” (IIII.i.273) in frustration with his loyal bride. Iago is getting into Othello's head so much that Othello fails to see the truth. As the play goes on, you see Othello’s actions become violent. As Desdemona approaches Othello, Othello strikes her causing her to cry and leave the room is sadness
Next, Othello’s secret wife, Desdemona, a naive white Venetian noblewoman. Othello’s flag bearer in the war, Iago, is the main antagonist in the play. Iago’s wife, Emilia is witty and intelligent, she also is Desdemona’s attendant in Cyprus. Othello’s young lieutenant, Cassio has a close friendship with Desdemona. Next, Bianca, a prostitute who is fond of Cassio.