Does Othello truly love Desdemona???

Desdemona and Othello portrayed by Daniel Maclise

         Throughout time love has been a constant source of pain and happiness. The beauty and potential for love to become hate is a topic addressed and manipulated by the media. Writers, television executives, and even musicians have depended on love to serve a key role in their work. Love is a fascinating topic among creatives. This is because love is a universal emotion. All of humanity can relate to stories focused about love since it is part of the human experience. Shakespeare, an English playwright illuminates the most rigid and complicated parts of love through his work. The Elizabethan does not rely on one dimensional love, he skillfully crafts layers of jealousy and pride within his romances. Othello truly loves Desdemona, however, Othello’s love for Desdemona is not as great as his love of honor and prestige.

           Othello’s love for Desdemona, is evident given his deep admiration for her. Othello’s testimony on their romance showcases a generic idea of pure love. Othello in a court of law flawlessly proves their mutual love. Othello declares his love for Desdemona when he proclaims, “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them” (Shakespeare 1017). Othello argues that their love is rooted in compassion, Othello loves Desdemona because she genuinely admired and felt sorry for him. Othello is a black man in a predominantly white society. Othello has been discriminated against and has to constantly prove himself. Desdemona’s praise of Othello is a rare occurrence. This new found respect allowed for Othello to develop feelings for Desdemona that go beyond physical. Furthermore, Othello makes it clear that he does not want to take advantage of Desdemona. Othello proclaims his respect for Desdemona when he states, “But to be free and bounteous to her mind” (1019). Othello makes it clear that his love for Desdemona transcends physical attraction. Othello admires her beauty but he loves her for her mind. Moreover, Othello proves that he trusts Desdemona, “My life upon her faith!” (1021). Othello declares that he feels Desdemona will never betray him. Othello’s trust in Desdemona is an indicator of the love and respect he has for her. Othello does trust Desdemona. It is Iago’s persistent manipulation that drives Othello to madness. Iago picks at Othello’s insecurities. Millicent Bell, in her article “Shakespeare’s moor” states, “Yet nothing can be more fragile than Othello’s self-making which has none of Iago’s confidence” (Raritan 5). Bell brings to light Othello’s desire to reinvent himself. Othello desperately tries to deny stereotypes and a past of slavery that haunts him. The Moor’s current status as a powerful soldier shows his rejection of the past.

          Moreover, Othello does not easily believe Iago’s claims of infidelity, he loves Desdemona enough to trust her. Othello boasts about her faithfulness well before Iago’s accusations. Furthermore, Othello denies Desdemona’s infidelity with grace and conviction: “For she had eyes and chose me” (1051).  For Othello Iago’s accusations are an insult to Desdemona’s intelligence. Othello sees Desdemona as more than a pretty face, she is capable of making her own decisions. Othello demonstrates his love for Desdemona by denying the accusations and establishing her competence. Moreover, Othello continues to prove that he loves Desdemona for her personality when he states, “Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances well; where virtue is, these are more virtuous” (1051). Othello admires Desdemona’s free spirit and her ability to think on her own. This statement by Othello proves he truly loves her because these qualities are generally seen as problematic during the Shakespearean era. Iago’s character often voices the unpopular opinion of the audience when he writes off women as annoying airheads. Othello actually notices and embraces her free spirit in a time where these qualities are frowned upon. 

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            However, Othello establishes the idea that his love for prestige and respect outweighs romantic love when he decides to kill her. Othello is literally choosing his reputation and integrity over his wife.  Initially Othello is stuck in the love bubble as he is conflicted on killing Desdemona. The Moor fondly compliments her wit and charm. However, this praise comes to a halt as Othello realizes the embarrassing circumstances. Othello a superior officer believes that his wife slept with his inferior: “I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me?” (1072). Othello in a jealous rage reasons that the only way to redeem himself is through murder. Moreover, Othello’s false sense of heroism in the killing of Desdemona shows that Othello is obsessed with maintaining a flawless image. Othello describes the act as a sacrifice for the greater good. Othello even elevates the killing to a sacrifice of religious devotion. Othello demonstrates his heroic justification when he states, “This sorrow’s heavenly; it strikes where it doth love” (1091). Othello compares this action to a killing done for the heavens. This comparison makes Othello a sort of martyr as he sees this act as a good deed for humanity. Shawn Smith comments on the impact of Desdemona’s death in his article “Love, Pity, and Deception in Othello”: “he ironically ends up re-creating Desdemona as an even more powerful image of pity than she was before” (Papers on Language and Literature 40). Othello sees his actions as a sacrifice even though Desdemona is the one suffering. Othello’s murder to gain respect only causes him to lose it.

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            Othello does truly love Desdemona. This love is expressed in his admiration and devotion for her. However, as a black man who has had to fight for all his respect, he cannot bear to lose it. Othello’s prestige is what carried him through life in a racist society, before he even met Desdemona. Desdemona’s alleged infidelity is an act of disrespect in itself to Othello. Therefore, the killing of Desdemona represents his desire to preserve respect over love. 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.

Works Cited

Bell, Millicent. "Shakespeare's Moor." Raritan 21.4 (2002): 5. Academic Search Premier. Web.19 May 2016.                                                                                                                       

Kennedy, X.J., and Dana Gioia. "Othello." Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Seventh ed. New York: Pearson Longman, (2007): 1003-1102. Print. 19 May 2016.                                                                                                                                                             

Smith, Shawn. "Love, Pity, and Deception in Othello." Papers on Language and Literature 44.1 (2008): 40-41. ProQuest. Web. 19 May 2016.

                            

Stavropoulos, Janet C. "Love And Age In Othello." Shakespeare Studies 19.(1987): 133. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 19 May 2016.