Desdemona's Sacrifice In Othello

Women are always held in higher standards then man. This is especially true for those that lived in the time of William Shakespeare. All had to have certain virtues before a man could ever think of marrying her. Women in Shakespearean time had to have been kind, had chastity and was faithful, and had to have been obedient to their husbands. Women who did not have or follow these standards were more than likely killed. In Shakespeare 's play, Othello, the character Desdemona shows all these qualities yet is still killed. Desdemona is written as a kind character. She is not shown to be an conniving, like Iago, or jealous, like her husband Othello. An example of her kindness would be her friendship with Cassio. There is nothing malicious or …show more content…
Chastity in Shakespearean time was the main catalyst of women getting married. If women were not seen as "good", they were not "pure". Desdemona 's chastity plays into her being seen as an object. She is first "owned" by her father, Brabantio and then by Othello. Authors Gordana Kakkonen and Ana Penjak write that "Brabantio wants to lock up, retain, withhold and possess his daughter. He cannot accept that his only treasure has been stolen, as he perceives it." Desdemona can only be "stolen" if she is seen as property by others. Once Brabantio accepts that his daughter is not "his" anymore, he disowns her. Brabantio says, ”I am glad at soul I have no other child, For thy escape would teach me tyranny" (1.3.195-196). He would rather have no daughter than one that is "owned" by another man. If Desdemona 's chastity was not held in such high esteem, they would not be this outrage by her father. When she marries Othello, she is now seen as his property. Desdemona goes from one man to another. Her chastity plays a role in getting her killed. Othello is obsessed with the thought that she is pure and is only with him. Once doubt creeps into his mind about Desdemona not being his, he plans to kill her. If chastity was not such a huge part of Desdemona 's life, she would not have been killed by her …show more content…
Her kindness led to Iago and Emilia taking advantage of her. Iago twisted her kindness to Cassio into something that was not there. Her chastity doomed her from the start of her life. Without chastity controlling her destiny, she would not have been Brabantio or Othello 's property. Her obedience proved to be worthless. No matter how obedient she was to Othello or any other man, she would end up always in the wrong. Women in Shakespearean time were held to unrealistic expectations which in some cases, including Desdemona 's, would lead to death. Desdemona deserved to be treated better and to be around better men. Desdemona was a victim of her