Desdemona in Othello-Free-Samples for Students-Myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about the Desdemona in Othello. Answer: Introduction Good morning year12, my names Bob Ma from the drama troupe Shakespeare in the classroom. I am here to talk about Desdemona, a character in the Play Othello by William Shakespeare and bring out interesting aspects in the way women were regarded in Shakespearean era. I will also be showing her in the context of the historical times in which we live and create scenarios of how the scenes chosen can be re-enacted for a modern audience. The central theme of this presentation is the selflessness of the love of a woman; I will be demonstrating to you how this selflessness and assertive love cuts across the barriers of time in history. I ask that you sit back and listen as I explore interesting aspects about the love of a woman towards her lover both in the olden context and modern times. Analysis Desdemona is an interesting character in the play Othello, she is introduced here as the wife of Othello. She is a devoted lover but has very strong feelings of love towards her husband Othello. Her relationship with him is so secret that her father learns about it from third parties. We will consider the first statements she says as follows; My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty: To you I am bound for life and education; My life and education both do learn me How to respect you; you are the lord of duty; I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband (I iii 181-9) At this point, Desdemona is talking to her father when he confronted Othello about her relationship with her. Desdemonas character also brings out the cultural battle she had to fight shown by how aggressively her father confronts Othello when he hears that he is in a relationship with her. She put an end to a possible conflict when she becomes sincere in her response. Dramatically, the gestures for this scene would be bold but full of respect; To you I am bound for life and education (maintaining a steady pose with hands folded together at the chest). How to respect you; you are the lord of duty; I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband (both hands pointing to direction where the husband is supposed to be standing) The voice should be without any tremble to show strong resolve because the decision made is for a lifetime and the steady voice is an indication that she has seriously thought about it. Both hands are to be pointed towards the husband to show that there is no going back on the decision that has been made. This will communicate to the father clearly that as far as this decision is concerned, there is no going back. In a sense, modern audiences can learn the secret of conflict resolution occasioned by the good nature of women. Whereas women may not be physically strong, they can do a lot for society through emotional toughness[1]. Below is another passage for consideration when Othello is contemplating leaving her behind as he goes to war; That I did love the Moor to live with him, My downright violence and storm of fortunes May trumpet to the world: my heart's subdued Even to the very quality of my lord: (I iii 249-259) Desdemona here is faced with a challenge when it is being suggested that her husband leaves her to go to the war. Because of the devotion she has for him, she would rather be with him in battle. This seems reckless but brings out the strength with which she loves Othello. This love cannot be superficial, it springs from a sincere heart. This statement provokes feelings of compassion in audiences even today. These words if acted today would involve the lady going down on the knees as she pledges her love for the husband. That I did love the moor (going down on the knee with palms upon the breast), to live with him (spreading hands in the air while still kneeling down). This action will be done by a female actor with a sorrowful tone that is quiet but firm. This acting style shows that the passion that one holds in love makes them to be humble and persistent at the same time. Hands upon the breast depict sincere passion in love and the kneeling down gesture shows humility. It is true that such love exists even today but if such a scene was re-enacted again, it would not be in the same context because of the interconnectivity of the world we live in. physical separation today is not the same way it was in previous times, technology has created such for a as the email, the mobile phone, skype and other tools of communication. A lover today would not display emotional attachment by physically wanting to accompany her partner to a danger zone. A typical scene might include pledges of faithfulness as opposed to physical presence. A similarity may be drawn in todays society that people who are in love often spend more time with each other. Desdemonas statement magnifies the desire in every woman to be close to her lover. Although this is acted in a scenario of conflict, intimacy and togetherness, where love is concerned is experienced in all situations. However, love is often proved in difficult times and a possible scenario in modern times could be when a lover is not able to function normally because of a disability caused by an accident. Spouses that remain committed to relationships even after such occurrences have taken place are to be admired greatly. In this passage we see that love is supposed to be pure and with no other motive. Conclusion It is quite easy to relate Desdemonas character with modern audiences because she is a reflection of romantic love. Love is timeless and thrives in all societies regardless of the periods of history[2]. The emotion of love naturally springs from the heart of an individual and when it is present, no one can hide it. Apart from the different environment and the historical time when the play was written, much of the emotions and values depicted in the play through Desdemona remain the same even today. The wide belief that women love selflessly and sacrificially is reinforced by Desdemonas character and the society today has a lot to learn from her. Being among the key characters in the play, Desdemona is also greatly loved by audiences today. Bibliography Flaherty, Jennifer. "How Desdemona Learned to Die: Failed Resistance in Paula Vogel's Desdemona." InGender Forum, no. 49. Prof. Dr. Beate Neumeier, 2014. Franks, Paul. "Desdemona's Lie: Nihilism, Perfectionism, Historicism."Journal of nietzsche studies44, no. 2 (2013): 225-245. Hallgren, Elizabeth. "Male Homosocial Love in Othello: Iago and the Culture of Masculinity."The Sigma Tau Delta(2017): 41. Huq, Syed Anwarul. "Desdemonas Handkerchief: Its Symbolic Significance."Stamford Journal of English7 (2013): 159-168. Kim, Jaecheol. "The Plague and Immunity in Othello."Comparative Drama51, no. 1 (2017): 23-42. Kundu, Tanmoy, and Kripasindhu Layek. "Is Othello Jealous Man?."ASIAN JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES2, no. 12 (2014). Nety, Suchita P. "Objects of Interpretation in Othello." PhD diss., California Institute of Technology, 2017. Shakespeare, William, and Sidney Lee.Othello (The Unabridged Play)+ The Classic Biography: The Life of William Shakespeare. e-artnow, 2014. Thompson, Ayanna. "Desdemona."A Feminist Companion to Shakespeare, Second Edition(2016): 494-506