Desdemona

Desdemona is a central character in the play Othello by William Shakespeare. She is Othello’s wife and Senator Brabantio’s daughter. There are hints that she is much younger than Othello and closer to Cassio’s age.

Desdemona loves Othello. According to Othello, she fell in love with him after he told her stories from his past, about how he used to be a slave and then escaped and had exciting adventures. This determines Desdemona to marry him, even though she knows her father will never allow it.

Desdemona’s love for Othello does not diminish even when Othello starts treating her badly. When Emilia remarks that she wishes Desdemona had never met Othello, Desdemona replies that she herself can never wish that (4.3.19-20). When she and Othello are in conflict, the only th...