Desdemona's Death In Othello Analysis

Shakespeare presents the death of Desdemona, Emilia and Othello in a number of ways. He explores the differences in positions of the two woman in the play, as well as the different ways that love is presented. As well, Shakespeare introduces the question whether Desdemona’s death was inevitable.

Shakespeare suggests that Emilia has the power in the final scene. This is exemplified through her claim that she “will speak as liberal as the North.” By controlling the truth, she controls the action of the play, consequently taking away everyone else’s power. The use of the word “liberal” suggests an idea of individual rights, contrasting to Emilia’s actual position of the play, as she is repressed by her husband. However, despite all these supposed …show more content…
This is most strongly presented through the idea that this play is a Greek Tragedy. For ‘Othello’ to be a tragedy, someone has to die because of Othello’s Hamartia. Desdemona is the perfect candidate for this because she is a weak character- even Emilia, the only one who loves her properly, treats her delicately “the sweetest innocence.” This suggests that she is liable to kill because she does not add any significance to the play apart from her death and her supposed unfaithfulness yet she was one of the strongest characters- constantly denying her traditional role, despite being so young and naive. This creates the argument that women in that time were seen as feeble characters, therefore Shakespeare was mistreating her. However, there could be an argument that Desdemona’s death was inevitable because of fate- she is described as the “ill-starred wrench” mirroring her name meaning. This combined, with the fact that she is often described as an angel, suggests that she is a heavenly creature and- like Lucifer- has to have her fall. Othello demonstrate this by putting her on a pedestal, when he calls her a “monuments alabaster.” The fact that this is typically white, suggests that his pedestal is the fact that she is pure and innocent. However, when he finds out that she isn’t he looses his mind. This could suggest that she had far to fall when he finds out that she isn 't this perfect creature. This could link …show more content…
He clearly criticizes through Emilia, a symbol for the truth, for without her Desdemona’s death would have possibly been unjustified. He presents her as a powerful character, controlling the scene. In contrast, the first view of Desdemona is that actually she is a weak character, not significant apart from her death yet she takes many controversial and ironic steps in defying her traditional place in society. It is ironic that actually Desdemona is both too modern, yet at the same time too passive. This is Shakespeare proving that you can be both; inviting the audience to think of duality as something strong. No one would call Iago feeble, despite being the strongest duplicitous character; implicating that the fault of Desdemona is in the audience’s views rather than her character. Despite, her defiance being in the form of marriage, Desdemona still goes against societies views, showing intransigence towards her father, and marrying for love, ignoring prejudice against race. Although she may not be as outspoken as Emilia, Desdemona still shows her strength through her actions rather than her