Exploring the characterisation of Desdemona in ‘Othello’ | English

Starter quiz

What is revealed about Desdemona in Act 1 of 'Othello'?
- She has divorced
- She has eloped with Othello ✓
- She has been hypnotised
How does Desdemona act towards her father in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello' when he asks for her obedience?
- She is respectful but boldly professes loyalty to Othello ✓
- She obeys her father to separate from Othello
- She shouts at her father and rejects him
What thought does Iago plant in Othello's mind about Desdemona in Act 3 of 'Othello'?
- She is unfaithful ✓
- She is in love with Emilia
- She is dying
How does Othello show his respect for Desdemona in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
- He serves her food
- He asks for her to be able to tell her side of events ✓
- He comforts her when she is crying
- He makes her stay in Venice whilst he goes to Cyprus
What was *not* an expectation of Jacobean women?
- To be chaste
- To be obedient to their father and husband
- To be a good mother
- To voice their own opinion ✓
Which expectation of Jacobean women does Desdemona defy at the beginning of 'Othello'?
- To be chaste
- To be obedient to their father ✓
- To be a good mother

How does Desdemona defy societal expectations at the beginning of 'Othello'?
- She refuses to marry
- She marries without her father's consent ✓
- She divorces
- She runs away to Cyprus
What does Othello accuse Desdemona of in Act 4 Scene 2 of 'Othello'?
- Being disobedient
- Being loud
- Being unchaste ✓
What is the significance of Desdemona's willow song in Act 4 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
- It reveals her true feelings for Cassio
- It symbolises her desire for revenge
- It foreshadows her tragic fate ✓
- It shows how she is resigned to her death ✓
''It was his bidding. Therefore, good Emilia: Give me my nightly wearing, and adieu: We must not now displease him.'' How does Desdemona come across in this quote from Act 4 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
- Brave
- Silent
- Submissive ✓
- Misogynistic
By the end of the play 'Othello', Desdemona seems to...
- conform to Jacobean expectations of women. ✓
- subvert Jacobean expectations of women.
- shock the audience with her actions.
Desdemona's tragic fall at the end of 'Othello' seems firmly tied to...
- her father's commands.
- her husband's downfall. ✓
- Roderigo's advances.
- Cassio's proposal.

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In Act 1, Desdemona is brave and adventurous, proclaiming her love for Othello and following him to the battleground.
Othello greets her as "my fair warrior" in Act 2, highlighting her strength.
Many argue that Desdemona is a submissive character by the end of the play.
Desdemona's name in Greek means 'ill-fated' or 'unfortunate', suggesting that she is a tragic victim.

Desdemona conforms to Jacobean stereotypes throughout the play.

Desdemona's character changes throughout the play - it is only at the end that she seems to conform.

Misogynistic - Strongly prejudiced against women.
Submissive - Ready to conform to the authority or will of others.
Chaste - To be chaste can mean not having any sexual desire or intentions.
Resigned - Having accepted something unpleasant that one cannot do anything about.