Desdemona's Deception

Paper Summary:

The paper argues that Desdemona, the wife of Othello in Shakespeare's play of the same name, is ultimately responsible for her own death through her deceptive actions. The paper details many of her actions that could possibly be construed as deceptive and argues that regardless of the truth of any of those deceptions, her deceit of her father is what causes her downfall.

From the Paper:

"It is often believed that Iago is the soul source of the conflict and dishonesty in Shakespeare's Othello, but there is a definite question as to the honesty of Othello's wife, Desdemona. Desdemona's words and actions indicate that she was not completely honest in her protestations of innocence regarding Cassio. In fact, as it will be shown, her dishonesty and deceit was indeed her own downfall that led to her own death at the end of the play. From the very first act in the play we can see the beginnings of Desdemona's deceptiveness when her father Brabantio realizes that she has sneaked out of the house and married Othello without her father's knowledge or permission. Brabantio laments: "It is too true an evil... O she deceives me/ Past thought... O Treason of the Blood!" (Shakespeare 1.1.172-85)."

More papers on Desdemona's Deception:

• Analytical Essay # 147877 : "The Deception of Othello by Iago"
• Book Review # 102563 : "Emilia's Speech in "Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 130089 : "Othello: Act 1, Scene 3"

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