Desdemona and Ophelia

Paper Summary:

The paper looks at the female figures Desdemona and Ophelia, who appear in two of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, "Othello" and "Hamlet". The paper focuses not only on the women, but also on the men who have the strongest influences on them; their fathers and their lovers. The paper shows how despite different personalities and dissimilar sets of circumstances, the young heroines of these unique tales share much in common. The paper portrays how they both find themselves caught up in intricate love triangles that test their alliances to their fathers and their lovers and that ultimately end in tragedy.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Desdemona, Othello, and Brabantio
Ophelia, Hamlet, and Polonius
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Although we never see Desdemona and her father Brabantio alone together, we can determine, from things they say to other characters and from things they say to one another in public, that their relationship has not been based on open communication and trust. In fact, there is an indication, as early as the opening scene, that despite his apparent shock, Brabantio may have subconsciously expected his daughter's elopement, or at least is not completely surprised by it: upon first hearing the news from Iago and Roderigo, Branbatio responds that "This accident is not unlike my dream" (I, i, 141)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Harper's Bible Dictionary, 1985 edition, s.v. "Jephthah," pages 454-455.
• Oxford Encyclopedic English Dictionary. 1988. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. 1980. New York, NY: Penguin..
• Shakespeare, William. Othello. 1996. New York, NY: Penguin.

More papers on Desdemona and Ophelia:

• Analytical Essay # 67878 : "Women in Shakespeare and the Terrible Price of Love"
• Analytical Essay # 26589 : "Ophelia Versus Desdemona"
• Comparison Essay # 16648 : "Women in "Hamlet" and "Othello"

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