It wasn't Desdemona's fault in the slightest because she had absolutely no clue of what was going on in Othello's head and how Iago was playing with his mind. So, in her mind, there was nothing wrong with what she was saying. She was fond of Cassio, but she loved her husband and she'd given him no reasons to doubt her affection. It's in part Othello's fault because we know the story wasn't true and that Othello's big weakness was insecurity and jealousy, which made him hurt and later kill someone who loved him unconditionally. But most of all, this was all Iago's fault. Desdemona and Othello were just puppets of him; inminent victims. That's why this is a tragedy.
I was watching good omens and instantly thought "hey I've seen this man before. . . But where??" And it kept bugging me until I found this! So glad I found it
People who think Shakespeare is mysoginist aren't seeing what i see here, what a powerful woman! Des is ignorant of Othello's jealousy of Cassio but not of her husband's subtle hints about his mood, she knows he's upset and picks up on it each time when most could ignore it - but being pure of heart and sharp she keeps responding to the new information. And that brilliant line, 'i did not deserve this', to her husband. And then 'i wouldn't want to offend you' and marching off. Pure honesty and bravery in these sharp punchy lines - she never admit fault and doesn't grovel for his affection or in fear of him. Shakespeare wrote a strong, intellegent woman who also maintains her dignity, grace and purity of heart
She did nothing wrong, she never did, and even if she had it still would not justify Othello slapping her across the face and murdering her. Cheating is wrong, but it still doesn't warrant murder.
True it does not justify murder. But warrants slap to the face. It's quite common for a woman to slap a cheating husband in the face, or the other way around. I would probably not react in such manner, but I would understand that somebody humiliated would react like that. However this is Othello and there's context to this scene those who know the play, know she did nothing wrong.
Shakespeare wanted us to watch Othello descend into madness at the hands of Iago, and then for Othello to become the animal the Venetians and even he himself assumed he was.
@Sam Choi I also like how you apply moral convenances of today to Renaissance Europe(age difference lol). Jealous people not acting rationally was point of the play, congrats on picking up that Othello is acting stupid.
I got kinda sad when I read what Desdemona said afterwards. "I will not stay to offend you." That's a damn good woman. Even though she did nothing wrong, she left just to make her husband happy.
Wow. lots of misogynistic comments; Desmonda did nothing wrong; she did NOT "have it coming", jerks. She loved him and was completely throw off by his slap. (Of course, for the misogynists here - if you don't love women, you can always go the other way. You do have other choices - bioootch)
and to think at theis time ludovico and iago were bedding the two most beautiful english actresses of them all kate beckinsale and helena bonham carter
Desdemona said all the wrong things at the right time. Whether she cheated or not she sealed her own fate in this scene. She did all of Iago's work for him. Or better yet finished the job.
It's emotional and all watching the whole thing but god damn if I don't want to slow down the slap and the DEVIL. It did make me laugh a touch just now. But yeah. I'm not with the whole Shakespeare was a genius with plots bandwagon but Othello WAS good, he took something and worked with it. I forget what but he worked off something... I beleve Iago was mostly his doing, the bastard.
