- Another aspect for the marriage to be considered unnatural is the fact that Othello is so much older than Desdemona, and of a different race. To us this may not seem unnatural, but at the time, this was very uncommon. Even those in the play, who are not racist, would find it more natural for Desdemona to be attracted to a younger, white man, similar to herself. The Venetians were racist, which makes it a very unnatural marriage in their eyes. This causes most people to feel that the marriage is wrong.
Both Othello and Desdemona have very strong characters. They are both sure of their love for each other. Neither Othello nor Desdemona is ashamed of the relationship.
Desdemona is a strong character, and many people do not realise this, while others do. She shows us her strong character when she stands up to the Venetian council and informs them that she wants to go Cyprus with her newly wedded husband, because she wants to be with him. Also later on in the play when she keeps pushing Othello to reinstate his lieutenant, even though this clearly annoys Othello. Desdemona seems to be weak and naïve in the eyes of her father. We can tell this from what he says about Desdemona; ‘’A maiden never bold; of spirit so still and quiet that her motion Blushed at herself.’’ Roderigo also believes that Desdemona is innocent, we learn of this when he says: ‘’ She’s full of most blesses condition.’’ While Cassio believes that Desdemona is perfect, and that God used up all his creative skills in making her: ‘’He hath achieved a maid…And in th’essential vesture of creation Does tire the ingener.’’ Iago, is not so convinced though, and has more of an insight into the true Desdemona, he believes that she shall become bored with the relationship between herself and Othello; he feels that ‘Her eye must be fed.’’ Moreover, does not feel that Othello shall do this. However, we do learn that Desdemona is definitely in love with Othello when Iago tells Roderigo that ‘Desdemona is directly in love with him.’ We learn that Desdemona is controlling, and when the relationship between Othello and Desdemona is spoken about, Iago says that ‘Our general’s wife is now the general.’ We learn that Desdemona is a beautiful, witty, respectful, young, independent, and in some peoples eyes the perfect woman.
Othello on the other hand, unlike Desdemona is not Venetian, but black, old, respected by most, a great commander on the battlefield, a calm and very controlled gentleman, who is brave, of ‘’royal siege’’, honest, sincere, authouritive, and fair. Othello is a ‘’Christian’’, and is open about his religion. He calls out to god in Act 1, Scene 3: ‘‘vouch with me, heaven’’. Othello is very much in control. He has military control, and is appointed to lead the Venetian forces into battle, and he has the power and control to organize the Venetian forces at will. Secondly, Othello has control in dangerous predicaments. After discovering the harmful intentions of Brabantio, Othello shows his confidence of his control in Act one, scene Two, and relies on his credentials: ’’let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signory Shall outtoungue his complaints.’’ Through the whole ordeal, Othello remains an authouritive figure, and once again shows his control when Brabantio arrives with his troops and both sides draw their swords (Act one, Scene two, lines 18 – 20). ‘’Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them’’. Finally, Othello is mentally in control of his relationship with Desdemona. We have no indications of mental corruption on Othello’s mind regarding his ability to maintain loyalty from Desdemona. Othello speaks of their love in Act one, scene three: ‘’She loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them.’’ Othello is so in love with Desdemona that says; ‘’My life upon her life!’’ This means that he believes that their love for each other is so strong that he has no need to worry about Desdemona cheating on him, and that if she did he would kill him self because his love for her is so strong.
There characters help us to see to a point that this relationship is not just a sexual one, because they both enjoy each other’s companionship. We can prove this by looking at what Desdemona says in Act one, scene 3: ‘’I saw Othello’s visage in his mind’’. Othello follows up on this by saying: ‘’to be free and bounteous to her mind.’’
Looking at the relationship between Othello and Desdemona, one can see that this is a healthy relationship, both sexually and mentally. They have an active sex life, but do not depend on this aspect of their relationship to hold them together, as they also both enjoy the company of each other as well. The relationship between Desdemona and Othello is a good one, which in theory should last. Sadly, there are many aspects from the people around them, which in the end begin to ruin this happy, and relationship. As I have mentioned before, the fact that Othello is black, and that he so much older than Desdemona both affect the reactions of other people towards their relationship. The aspect that Iago is angry at Othello for selecting Cassio as his lieutenant instead of himself, causes Iago to place doubt in Othello’s mind, which in the end results in the tragic downfall of this perfectly good relationship.
