Desdemona

I can't decide if Desdemona truly loves Othello or not. In Act I, Desdemona testifies to her love for Othello in front of the duke. She says to her father that "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" (I.iii.185-188). She seems totally and completely devoted to him. Later in the play, however, she does show interest in Cassio, and she even flirts with Iago. By asking what he thinks of all the different kinds of women in Act II, she's looking for a compliment. She doesn't appear to be nearly as enamored with Othello as he is with her. I don't know if I feel bad that he believes she's unfaithful or not. It seems logical to me that she could be at some point if not with Cassio.

Othello-1119 #2

Othello is a tragedy. That becomes apparent early in the play when Iago reveals his true intentions to ruin Othello's marriage and get rid of Cassio (II.i.265-291). Iago's manipulation of Othello throughout the play creates the proper feeling for a tragedy and provides a means for tragedy to occur. The audience should definitely know what kind of play Othello is before viewing it. Knowing that the play is a tragedy puts Iago's and Othello's actions into a different context. Every move that Othello makes seems like a move from a horror movie--the kind that evokes a "No! Don't look in the closet!" reaction. In Act III when Othello condemns Cassio with the words "Within these three days let me hear thee say That Cassio's not alive" (III.iii.473-474), the audience feels a greater sense of suspense because the truth of Othello's actions is known. If the audience was unaware, confusion would be more likely, and the suspense would be lessened.