divine desdemona analysis

Juliet again. Such work serves the story well; furthermore, it will provide us a strong foundation as we start to layer on all those other elements that are necessary to putting on a show, but can be distracting if brought in too early. The sight of Othello, slumped against Desdemona's bed, "poisons sight" (364). Desdemona, of a Venetian origin, is the daughter of Brabantio (a senator) who elopes to marry a Moorish Army General, Othello. In other words, Desdemona's beauty is so great that even the rocks and sands are in awe of it, and let her ship pass safely. I can certainly relate to Desdemona’s innocence, her fierce devotion to those she loves, her deep faith, and her driving desires to do the right thing and to see the good in everyone. Desdemona insists to Emilia that Othello is not a jealous man. $24 INDIVIDUAL | $42 FAMILY. time in many relationships when you realize that love is not enough to stay together. They spot a ship coming forth; but Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia are on it, not Othello. ” despite his coldness. I’m never bored! Characterisation Desdemona. Analysis Of Othello And Desdemona 1045 Words | 5 Pages. Promethean heat (12) divine fire. There are no subplots; everything revolves around this one central storyline, and the action is fast-paced and non-stop. Over and over, until I’m too old. . Plot Summary of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" Description of Enargia. In essence, it means that Desdemona has so much goodness in her that she will generously and freely assist anyone who seeks her help. He asks for the curtains to be drawn, for Gratiano to administer the Moor's estate, and for Iago to be punished. Arguments that see Desdemona as stereotypically weak and submissive ignore the conviction and authority of her first speech (“My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided duty” [I.iii. When her husband is deployed to Cyprus in the service of the Republic of Venice, Desdemona accompanies him. What Is an Antagonist? Fortunately, Ruth was kind enough to answer some questions about the role and how she’s preparing for it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . Desdemona and Othello have fought and Othello accuses her of being a whore. Meanwhile, Iago convinces Roderigo that if he wants Desdemona he should kill Cassio. Desdemona waits for him while sends Emilia away. Throughout the process, though, I have fallen increasingly in love with each new discovery: her depth of strength, purity of purpose, and openness of heart are staggering. 179–180]) and her terse fury after Othello strikes her (“I have not deserved this” [IV.i. Desdemona Analysis Too often played as a weak character, Desdemona is strong and bold, especially when it comes to Othello. Poor Desdemona is so in love, so thrilled to be married, and so determined to be the perfect wife to Othello that she sometimes misses the bigger picture, to the detriment of her own safety. What would you choose to be Desdemona’s theme song? Desdemona protested that was accompanied by Emilia but he ignores her and asks her to wait for her in the bedchamber tonight. Learn how your comment data is processed. That’s quite a roller coaster ride for an actor! This enrages Othello, and he strikes Desdemona and commands her to leave. If we’re sticking with Shakespeare, I would say . That Cassio.. Well my Lord finally arrived today and we had the most eventful night together. What do you enjoy most about playing the role? The Divine Desdemona " So would not I: my love doth so approve him That even his stubborness, his checks, his frowns- Prithee, unpin me- have grace and favour in them." The process has suited the dense, frill-free structure of the play: these first few weeks have been solely about text and character and relationships. You can be innocent, but you also need to learn to be wise. Is there any aspect of the role that is difficult? Desdemona is an astonishing teenager but is suffocated before she or we have a chance to learn her thoughts or feelings. 236]). Desdemona, although an intelligent woman seeking liberation, fell into Iago’s trap because she loved Othello and was upset that he had considered her a “whore.” Desdemona’s naivety, deceptions with good intensions and her passivity all play parts in her downfall, with the help of iago’s evil schemes. She is described by another character as “the divine Desdemona,” and I think this is true: she is almost too good to be human. But in Act IV, he crumbles Desdemona is a more plausible, well-rounded figure than much criticism has given her … Othello and Desdemona: An Analysis 'The Merchant of Venice' Act 1 Summary. Again, the intensity of the circumstances makes this such a fun role to play. She is described by another character as “the divine Desdemona,” and I think this is true: she is almost too good to be human. He must return to Venice and "with heavy heart" (371) relate "this heavy act" (371). College Essay Topics It is a domestic calamity In the end, Othello stifles the speech that made Desdemona so powerful. Feminism tends to highlight the oppression of women and their position in a male dominant society. My initial interest was based primarily on knowing that Desdemona is a “juicy” dramatic role: performing characters who are going through intense situations and to whom intense things happen is a treat for me as an actor, so I was interested in telling Desdemona’s incredibly intense story. General Overview Desdemona is Othello’s wife. Pingback: Leaving Cert English- “Desdemona–a saint?” | Lit & Comp Resources, ” and laments giving up his single status “, When Desdemona enters, full of concern for her beloved “, “, he says he has a  headache and she is gentle and loving “. I have felt completely safe the entire time. Every time I perform a Shakespeare role, I dive into the script already excited, but I’m also always surprised by how much I come to love my character. Top Three Shakespeare Villains 'A Raisin in the Sun' Act III Plot Summary and Study Guide. Working with Dennis has been such a treat! Desdemona (/ ˌ d ɛ z d ə ˈ m oʊ n ə /) is a character in William Shakespeare's play Othello (c. 1601–1604). Cassio is showing his courtly behaviour, however he is hypocritical as he treats Bianca differently in further Scenes. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you were Desdemona’s best friend, what advice would you give her?Â, Throughout rehearsals, I have realized increasingly that Desdemona’s decisions stem from the fact that she is a newlywed trying to figure out how to be a wife. It was an object given to his mother by an Egyptian mind reader and then believes to maintain undying love between the owner and their lover. She is so focused on being truthful that the possibility of deception and betrayal in others doesn’t strike her until too late. When you find out that the dazzling, multi-talented Ruth Nelson will be playing Desdemona, there are just some things you want to know. Desdemona is the daughter of Brabantio, a man of some reputation in Venice. The Female Protagonist. “Have you prayed tonight, Desdemona?” This is one of the most haunting and memorable lines of Shakespeare’s Othello.The titular and main character’s engagement in murder, jealousy, and betrayal could easily portray him as the villain; however, in Othello Shakespeare creates one of literature’s best villains, Iago. Othello gave to Desdemona, as an act of his love for her and her dropping of it perhaps symbolizes the break in their love. Let’s have a look at her main appearances in the play and attempt to establish if there might be a psychological complexity lurking beneath the surface of her squeaky clean exterior. . Woman is not allowed to raise her … Just then, Desdemona enters with Lodovico, an envoy who is carrying orders from the Duke of Venice that Othello is to return to Venice and leave Cassio behind to govern Cyprus. In this play, Desdemona is an example of perfect womanhood. Shakespeare's Desdemona is a Venetian beauty who enrages and disappoints her father, a Venetian senator, when she elopes with Othello, a Moorish man several years her senior. . The alliteration (the use of the same sound, usually a consonant, in successive words), also accentuates Desdemona’s good qualities. No one is perfect, including you. Desdemona's reaction to … The Daughter of the Venetian senator Brabantio.Having been charmed by Othello 's tales of exotic lands and military exploits, Desdemona elopes with him before the play begins (although they do not consummate their marriage until they have received sanction from the Duke and, reluctantly, her father). ‘Cause . . Having made the accusation and been denied, he reacts with anger rather than reassessment. I mean, it’s Belle.​ Thinking beyond Shakespeare or musical theatre, I might say . This story has it all: love, jealousy, prejudice, betrayal, anger, sorrow, violence, death. Richard III Themes: God's Judgement. (IV, III, 21) Thursday, 15 December 2011. However, though I do try to live thusly, I’m afraid I fall rather short of Desdemona’s standard in many ways. Thinking musical theatre, I would say Cathy in The Last Five Years. CASSIO She that I spake of, our great captain's captain, Left in the conduct of the bold Iago, Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts What exists in nature is freely available to those who want it. Add that to the variety of character relationships: Desdemona’s deep love for and devotion to Othello, her kinship with Emilia, her camaraderie with Cassio, and even her (woefully misplaced) trust in Iago all weave together to provide a rich, nuanced tapestry of scene dynamics. It has been refreshing to focus on these complexities without having to think about technicalities. I LOVE IT. I think everyone who attends will see themselves in at least one facet of the mirror this play holds up to society. Conveying the TRUTH of each moment—not falling short of the needed intensity, but not wallowing in it either—is a fascinating but tricky tightrope to walk. The story takes us through every extreme of human emotion, from utter bliss to paralyzing fear to fathomless sorrow. Desdemona’s handkerchief was a gift given to her by Othello upon their marriage. As such, she is part of the upper class of Venetian society. • ‘…our great Captain’s Captain’ Iago suggests Desdemona has power over Othello or that at least they are equal in rank. Regarding both the story and actor safety, I am grateful to be working with a director whom I can trust. Here’s everything you never wanted to know about her. Feminists argue that women are denied rights of freedom, equality, and decision making. Cassio answers that he is, that "he hath achieved a maid / That paragons description and wild fame" (2.1.61-62).By saying that Desdemona "paragons description and wild fame," Cassio means that she is more beautiful than any possible description of her beauty, more beautiful than the wildest story of any woman's beauty. She describes her commitment to him: What is it like to work with our guest artist, director Dennis Henry? The divine Desdemona. I noticed immediately his depth of knowledge about and care for this story, these characters, and the audience, and so I knew from the start that we were in good hands. -more of a housewife (though Emilia is her attendant) -embodies the Venetian lady/Renaissance wife -loving, loyal, obedient -accompanies Othello to events -loves him out of pity then admiration of his experiences Desdemona is also the Knowing that Desdemona is on the same ship as Iago, Cassio rejoices, and declares that the jagged rocks and dangerous sands "As having sense of beauty, do omit [forget] / Their mortal [deadly] natures, letting go safely by / The divine Desdemona" (2.1.71-73). This is the moment when she drops her handkerchief & by the end of the scene, her husband is plotting her murder! Also, it is possibly the most straightforward and tightly constructed Shakespeare play I’ve worked on. How is this production different from others you have done?Â. The female protagonist in the tragic play “Othello”, Desdemona is truly one rare character who astonishes the readers as much with her outer beauty as with her inner grace. What he will do with it Heaven knows, not I. I nothing but to please his fantasy.” (Shakespere-3-3-334-344) This shows Emilia’s love and loyalty towards Iago even though handkerchief was very important to Desdemona it was Othello’s first gift to her she stole it anyways betraying Desdemona this will end up to be a giant mistake in the end. I suppose that would be another difficult aspect of the role, to return to an earlier question: finding Desdemona’s humanity and portraying her as a richly nuanced PERSON, rather than a paragon, is a tricky mission in which I am determined to succeed. The Turkish attack may have been quelled, but it also bodes badly for Othello's ship. Desdemona immediately and completely denies the accusation, and her husband speaks scornfully and bitterly, throws money at her, as if she were a prostitute, and goes out. Glossary. In Cyprus Montano asks Cassio if Othello is married. Analysis of Quotes Act 2 Scene 1 • ‘ The divine Desdemona’ Definite article followed by an adjective(pre- modifier). A terrible storm has struck Cyprus, just as the Turks were about to approach. Desdemona tells Iago and Cassio about Othello’s rage, and Iago offers to intervene with Othello. Probably lots more that I can’t think of right now, but you get the general idea. Emilia warns that jealousy can be irrational and uncontrollable. In Othello by William Shakespeare, the play is set in Venice in the sixteenth century and focuses on the war between Venice and Turkey and the people who it affects. The daughter of a Venetian senator, Desdemona is greatly loved by Othello, an honoured and heroic Moorish general in the service of Desdemona is a model wife, if perhaps too trusting of Iago. She makes a playful reference to Othello’s origins, suggesting that the sun in his native land made him impervious to jealousy, and therefore he is an exception to the typical Venetian tendency to be suspicious of women’s behavior. How is Desdemona like you? minister (8) a servant. As we know that it is a domestic tragedy. 🙂, Othello opens at the 1897 Poe House on June 1 and runs through June 18.Â, I like what you say about Desdemona’s innocence and your indication that although the word “innocent” is often taken as a synonym for “naive,” it actually means “absence of guilt.” An innocent person can understand the way the world works, including the smelly bits, without becoming smelly herself, and I see many indications that Desdemona has such understanding. Othello is one of the most important plays in English Literature. Or Belle. Dear Desdemona is rather put through the wringer in this story. Furthermore, Desdemona is the victim of some violence in this story, so he’s had to guide me and my fellow actors through those scenes. She shows that she is unafraid to speak up before the Duke, and at one point she says “I do beguile the thing I am by seeming otherwise,” echoing Iago (of all people) and his “I am not that I am.” Maybe you could avoid over-emphasizing her innocence by also showing the toughness true innocence requires, Also-I am not sure who delivers the line “Divine Desdemona,” but I am going to guess it was a male referring more to her physical qualities than spiritual…. The world is beautiful, but it has some smelly bits, which you ignore to your peril. The article “a feminist critique of the character Desdemona” offers an analysis of the character of Desdemona from the theoretical framework of feminism. 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