So far, Desdemona has received nothing but contempt, from all she knows.
Although, in Act 1 Scene 2, Othello says: “I love the gentle Desdemona.”
Here, she is “gentle” not rebellious as she had already been illustrated as, so another side to her personality can be seen. As before, Iago makes another stab at being impudent towards Desdemona in the form of a metaphor. For example: “he (Othello) tonight hath boarded a land carrack: If it prove lawful prize, he’s made for ever.” This indicates that he thinks Desdemona is only good for one thing and that is the reason why Othello married her but later in her speech Desdemona proves Iago wrong. Ironically, Desdemona is “a maiden never bold”, from Brabantio’s point of view, but later in the play she challenges her Father. It seems that Brantantio does not understand his daughter as well as he thinks he does, thus Desdemona probably lacks a person whom she can share her thoughts with.
In Act 1 Scene 3, Othello’s soliloquy, consists of alliteration “She’d come again and with a greedy ear devour up my discourse”, metaphorically giving us the impression that Desdemona admires Othello’s eloquent speech. It also implies that Desdemona wants to share his experiences, which indicates that she has genuine interest in him. This interest shows that she is capable of conversing and therefore has opinions of her own. When Othello tells Desdemona of his past, “She swore in faith `twas strange,`twas passing strange,`Twas pitiful, `twas wondrous pitiful.” Now Desdemona seems completely the opposite to how she is generally judged by others. In her nature, she is kind, loving and compassionate. She truly loves Othello, but unfortunately she is still misunderstood by every one she knows, even the people who are nearest and dearest to her.
It is not until later in Act 1 Scene 3 that Desdemona appears in the play.
During Othello’s trial, she is called in front of the Duke, to defend Othello.
Brabantio asks Desdemona a rhetoric question: “Where most you owe obedience ?” Desdemona is not swayed by this question but calmly responds with an alliterative: “I do perceive here a divided duty”. In her manner, she is therefore diplomatic. This shows that she is sure of herself and her sense of awareness is clear. To her father Desdemona says: “My life and education both do learn me how to respect you…”, thus indicating how respectful and obedient she is. Her maturity prominates, which is evident from the perceptiveness that is shown: “I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband.” The impression given from her direct tone, is that she realises her duty both towards Father and her husband. The word “duty” is repeated in “…you are the lord of my duty,….” This antithesis emphasises her loyalty. Like Brabantio, Desdemona cleverly uses a technique which involves emotional blackmail, e.g. so much duty as my mother showed to you preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord”, maybe to weaken or discourage Brabantio to make him realise that she is still his daughter. She seems to have emotional power over her father and so she knows that he cannot argue with every point she makes.
Surprisingly Brabantio does not give up. His final rejection of Desdemona “I’ll not have it so” makes his tone childish and stubborn. Desdemona imitates this tone: “Nor would I there reside to put my father in impatient thoughts by being in his eye.” Throughout her speech, Desdemona’s language is succinct and quite poetic, especially when she speaks of her love for Othello: “…to his honours and his valiant parts did I my soul and fortunes consecrate…”
One aspect that Othello, Iago and Desdemona all have in common, is their ability to manipulate situations in their favour, by use of powerful language.
Desdemona does this excellently, and this is what makes her such a confident person. However, at certain points in the play, she is slightly over-confident, especially when she challenges her Father. She is not as naïve and innocent as she is first shown to be. When it comes to justifying herself, she makes her opinions clear.
All throughout the play, many emotions are shown by every character. Iago’s jealousy springs out of the page. Othello’s mind is poisoned by Iago. Brabantio quickly becomes angered as his anxiety is dramatised and Roderigo’s desperation to obtain Desdemona can also be seen. In conclusion, Desdemona is depicted as emotionally being the strongest character in the play, because even after being misunderstood and accused by her father and husband she still remains composed.
