Analysis

The character of Desdemona in Shakespeare's Othello represents innocence and purity. She is revered by the other characters of the play. Desdemona is universally seen as the perfect woman, and her love for Othello due to black magic. This is untrue, however, as she truly loves him. Othello becomes jealous due to the purity of Desdemona, and it drives him mad. Desdemona's purity and innocence ironically lead to her death from Othello.


She states in Act 1, Scene 3 that "I saw Othello’s visage in his mind, And to his honors and his valiant parts, Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate." This statement represents Desdemona's pure love for Othello. In Blessid Union of Souls' song She Likes Me for Me, the singer expresses the same sentiment of being liked by his girl for no other reason than who he is inside. She states that she fell in love with Othello not due to some black magic, but due to Othello's person. She states that Othello's noble heart won her over. This is expressed in the quote as well as the song

Desdemona is madly in love with Othello, referenced in Act 2, Scene 1 when Desdemona says "our loves and comforts should increase,Even as our days do grow", Desdemona is saying that she wishes to grow old with Othello, and has every reason to believe she will do so. Bon Jovi's song "Next 100 Years" expresses a similar idea. The song represents the idea of being there for someone, and "standing here, for the next 100 years" This pledge shows true commitment to a person, a commitment that there is no turning back from. Desdemona's heart and soul are fully pledged to Othello, and this love does not waver throughout he play, despite Othello's jealous imagined madness.

Her purity is even referenced by other characters in the play. She called "perfection" by Cassio in Act 2, Scene 3. The idea of a perfect woman is spoken of in Zac Brown Band's "Whatever It Is". The band gives off the image that a woman is perfect, and has "it". This "perfection" spoken of in the play is what unfortunately leads to her death, as it inspires jealousy in Othello. Iago's hearing to Cassio's statement turns the wheels in Iago's head to his master plan for them all. Iago's plan is inspired by Desdemona's perfection, knowing that Othello will let thoughts creep in that he does not deserve such a perfect woman.

Even when Othello begins to lose his mind, Desdemona remains faithful to him, saying that "If to preserve this vessel for my lord, From any other foul unlawful touch". Desdemona’s defense of herself echoes the sentiments of a song by Tom Petty called “Don’t Do Me Like That”. In the song, a man begs his woman not to lie to and deceive him. In the same way, Desdemona begs her husband Othello to regain his sanity and realize what he is doing. Unfortunately, this last ditch effort fails for Desdemona. Nevertheless, Desdemona refuses to acquiesce to Othello's ramblings. Instead, she honorably defends herself, while still loving Othello.

In her final moments, Desdemona reiterates her love with her famous saying of That death’s unnatural that kills for loving" The song “Say It Isn’t So” reflects a world turned upside down, which has happened in the play. The noble Othello has completed his transmogrification, “Honest” Iago has been exposed, and the innocents have died. Desdemona knows that Othello loves her, and is willing to die for Othello's over-nobility. Her innocence allows her to die for her husband, which is another example of the topsy-turvy world.