Virtuosity in Othello :: Literary Analysis, Shakespeare,

The caliber Desdemona in William Shakespeares play Othello holds on to her dignified behavior until the very end, when her feeling is taken by her jealous hubby, is indicative not only of her innocent mind, just also of her virtuous fortitude. Women of that time were largely seen mostly integrity of twain extremes either virtuous or licentious. Desdemonas strength as a virtuous woman are clearly illustrated in two pivotal scenes in Shakespeares play in her poise when confronted with her husbands collapse of his gentlemanly facade and in the dignified office she faces her aver demise head-on, feeble on affirmations, yet overflowing with grace.In Act 4, Scene 2, Desdemona proves herself as a lady in her intervention with the evil Iago, who, unbek outrightnst to her, is the cause of her chagrin. Although she bewails that Othello has called her a whore, she herself does not stoop to insults. Proudly, she declares, sourness may do much and, in a moment of strike foreshadowin g, states And his unkindness may defeat my life (IV.ii. 164-65). Though virtuous to a fault, she remains dignified and affirms, I cannot even say whore. / It does abhor me now I speak the word / To do the act that might the adjunct earn / Not the worlds mass of vanity could pretend me (166-69).During the tragic conclusion of the play, in Act 5 scene 2, Othello suffocates his adore Desdemona in the erroneous belief of her infidelity. She nevertheless departs with dignity. She does not wail but instead she merely states O, falsely, falsely murdered (130). One is left to enjoy if she is referring to herself or to Cassio regardless, these words are simply matter-of-fact and are not the emotion-driven cries one would normally expect from a person facing her feature execution. Through her dying breath, Desdemona states clearly, A guiltless death I fret (136). Her mistress Emilia, obviously overcome with emotion, pleads to Desdemona to name the killer, crying, encourage Help, ho H elp O lady, speak again (134) and O, who hath done this deed? (137).With a hush up composure on her deathbed, Desdemona cryptically tells Emilia, NobodyI myself. Farewell (138). Was she a self-loving character who had the ability to love others unconditionally? Or was she a fool who accepted her worldly fate in the belief that, by doing so, she was being righteous? Othello appears to be more of a weak character to succumb to misguided vanity and jealousy than Desdemona in meeting her own end with dignity.