“Othello does not love Desdemona”
Critics:
Bonnie Greer - “It is only Othello’s jealousy, not Iago’s hatred, that is the real tragedy”
Caryl Phillips - “Othello’s love of Desdemona is the love of possession. She is a prize, a spoil of
war”
Janet Stavropoulos artfully illustrates Othello’s relationship with love: “Though he defends his
marriage before the Venetians, Othello implies that love might disrupt his freedom and
compromise his military status” (Shakespeare Studies 133). Othello places his career before his
love for Desdemona. Othello’s most passionate love is for a respected and heroic version of
himself.
Othello truly loves Desdemona, however, his love for her is not as great as his love of honour
and prestige.
Shakespeare seems to set up a mini romantic comedy - at the start = love across obstacles, the
lovers pay through trials and tribulations before living happily ever after. During the first act this
is evident (Othello and Desdemona married in secret and have to battle with her
father’s/society's disapproval). This could contrast to what happens later; it could mirror
Othello’s trust (comedic then tragic); Shapespeare could be exploring marriage with a bit more
depth (what happens at the end of every happy ever after?) - meaning of marriage?
Love
- Even from the first scene Othello appears in (Act 1 Scene 2), he uses the epithet
“gentle” to describe Desdemona - contrasts greatly to those used to describe Othello.
The adjective “gentle” - Othello perceives Desdemona as an innocent and gentle
individual. This contrasts to how she is perceived by her father as ‘deceptive’ +
foreshadows the change in Othello’s perception of her father
- Othello’s love for Desdemona - deep admiration for her
- (1.3.156) “I did consent” - Critics have frequently noted that the underlying tragedy of
Othello and Desdemona is the breakdown of a relationship in which both participants
maintained a mutual respect for one another—a famous note being how Othello refers to
Desdemona as his "fair warrior," and she refers to him as "my dear Othello" in Act II,
Scene 1. This touching depiction of their mutual love is revealed early in the play, as
Othello admits that he "consents" to her interest in his perilous trips, something the
hierarchy in a patriarchal society may have frowned upon. Desdemona is one of
Shakespeare's most assertive female characters, as seen by her conversation with Iago
at the start of Act II.
- (1.3.150/151) “With a greedy ear/ Devour up thy discourse” - (Shakespeare uses
embedded narrative/ Soliloquy to tell Desdemona and Othello’s love story); The
alliteration of’ D’ and sibilance of 'Dis' = snake - connects to Adam and Eve and sin -
Eloping was considered a sin during the Jacobean era; Verb 'greedy' - Desdemona is
intrigued by Othello's storytelling and longs to hear more. Could also have sexual
connotations; Personification ‘greedy ear’- reflects Desdemona's admiration for Othello.
Critics:
Bonnie Greer - “It is only Othello’s jealousy, not Iago’s hatred, that is the real tragedy”
Caryl Phillips - “Othello’s love of Desdemona is the love of possession. She is a prize, a spoil of
war”
Janet Stavropoulos artfully illustrates Othello’s relationship with love: “Though he defends his
marriage before the Venetians, Othello implies that love might disrupt his freedom and
compromise his military status” (Shakespeare Studies 133). Othello places his career before his
love for Desdemona. Othello’s most passionate love is for a respected and heroic version of
himself.
Othello truly loves Desdemona, however, his love for her is not as great as his love of honour
and prestige.
Shakespeare seems to set up a mini romantic comedy - at the start = love across obstacles, the
lovers pay through trials and tribulations before living happily ever after. During the first act this
is evident (Othello and Desdemona married in secret and have to battle with her
father’s/society's disapproval). This could contrast to what happens later; it could mirror
Othello’s trust (comedic then tragic); Shapespeare could be exploring marriage with a bit more
depth (what happens at the end of every happy ever after?) - meaning of marriage?
Love
- Even from the first scene Othello appears in (Act 1 Scene 2), he uses the epithet
“gentle” to describe Desdemona - contrasts greatly to those used to describe Othello.
The adjective “gentle” - Othello perceives Desdemona as an innocent and gentle
individual. This contrasts to how she is perceived by her father as ‘deceptive’ +
foreshadows the change in Othello’s perception of her father
- Othello’s love for Desdemona - deep admiration for her
- (1.3.156) “I did consent” - Critics have frequently noted that the underlying tragedy of
Othello and Desdemona is the breakdown of a relationship in which both participants
maintained a mutual respect for one another—a famous note being how Othello refers to
Desdemona as his "fair warrior," and she refers to him as "my dear Othello" in Act II,
Scene 1. This touching depiction of their mutual love is revealed early in the play, as
Othello admits that he "consents" to her interest in his perilous trips, something the
hierarchy in a patriarchal society may have frowned upon. Desdemona is one of
Shakespeare's most assertive female characters, as seen by her conversation with Iago
at the start of Act II.
- (1.3.150/151) “With a greedy ear/ Devour up thy discourse” - (Shakespeare uses
embedded narrative/ Soliloquy to tell Desdemona and Othello’s love story); The
alliteration of’ D’ and sibilance of 'Dis' = snake - connects to Adam and Eve and sin -
Eloping was considered a sin during the Jacobean era; Verb 'greedy' - Desdemona is
intrigued by Othello's storytelling and longs to hear more. Could also have sexual
connotations; Personification ‘greedy ear’- reflects Desdemona's admiration for Othello.
