Desdemona (Othello)
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Desdemona_othello.jpg
Desdemona_othello.jpg
Desdemona by Frederic Leighton
Desdemona is a fictional character in the play Othello by William Shakespeare. She is Othello's wife, and the daughter of Senator Brabantio. She is both lightskinned and innocent; Shakespeare uses her as a symbol of purity to contrast malevolent Iago and his worldly wife, Emilia.
Desdemona's love and trust for her husband lasts to her dying breath.
Desdemona is a self-sacrificing Christ figure somewhat like Cordelia from another Shakespeare play, King Lear.
Critics classify her as one of Shakespeare's rebellious females. Although headstrong they are still easily manipulated and "gentle".