Virtue Killed the Cat
Desdemona was forced to play the role of a submissive servant, the role of a woman who could do no wrong. Until she became a slave to virtue and it caused her eventual death.
“She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a desposition that she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested.” (II.iii.339–341)
From the beginning of the play, Desdemona’s character emboidies a perfect virtous woman. She’s seen as free from anything disagreeable and as the epitome of perfection.
Shakespeare repeatedly places the weight of characteristics such as perfection, virtue, and goodness on Desdemona, emphasizing how she’s seen by the people surrounding her.
“A maiden never bold, of spirit so still and quiet that her motion blushed at herself.” (I.iii.112–114)
Shakespeare understood the weight of the standards which were being laid. She’s portrayed as a maiden, someone who is chaste and almost angelic like in nature.
He paints her saint-like during the beginning of the play. She isn seen as true, kind, and pure, which in turn, leaves her defenseless to the whims of those who aren’t.
“My heart’s subdued even to the very quality of my lord. I saw Othello’s visage in his mind, and to his honors and his valiant parts” (I.iii.285–288)
Desdemona was the only character within the play that could acknowledge Othello’s greatness and expertise, while, simultaneously being able to forget his race.
Even Othello cannot overcome his inferiority complex in regards to his race. His attidue is what causes him to believe Iago’s baseless claims about Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. So, even though pure and true Desdemona could see past his race, it was Othello who could not escape his own complex.
Though, Othello’s inferiority complex wasn’t the only thing that added fuel to the fire when it came to the damnation of Desdemona.
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“In the dichotomy of mind/body advocated by 17th century rationalist philosophers, reason was associated with maleness, and the body with the feminine” (The Problem)
Reason being associated with masculinity grants another explanation why Othello would believe Iago’s words. Given the deteriorating mental state of Othello as the play went on, having another male character confirm his thoughts added to the growing conflict.
Not only that, but considering the prominency of christianity during the 1600s due to the reformation and european colonization (Medevial), the belief was that women were created by God because it was better if man wasn’t alone (Domestical). The value and respect afforded to women revolved around the existence of men and Shakespeare exemplifies this within Othello.
Not only does Shakespeare reflect his own societal norms during Desdemona’s speech when she mentions her duty to Othello (I.iii.209), but overall in how he presents her. He begins with his presentation of Desdemona as a figurehead for virtue by the male characters and then allows her character to be warped by the ideas of men.
The weight of the male characters standards of perfection and expectation of angelic-like behavior from Desdemona lead to the destruction of her. They’ve placed an impossible standard on her, one that shapes their entire perception, and one that will cause them to be more disappointed when she fails to meet it.
The male characters in the play fail to realize that Desdemona isn’t perfect. Though, as readers we’re able to see that not only is she imperfect, but she is in fact immature, stubborn, and oblivious.
We’re afforded a glimpse of her flaws when she’s insisting that Cassio should be reinstated to his position.
“so humbled that he hath left part of his grief with me to suffer with him. Good love call him back.” (III.iii.57–59)
This is followed by her insistence to have Cassio over for dinner. Not only does she remain headstrong on her position, but she continues to insist similiar to a child asking their parents “Are we there yet?” on a roadtrip, failing to realize the answer isn’t changing.
Her failure to allow Othello time for reflection and her immature insistence only adds to Othello belief in her guilt.
Shakespeare makes it clear that Desdemona possesses the illusion of having more power than she does through her actions and flaws. Oblivious to the reality of the world in which she lives.
Shakespeare marks each of his characters’ death with a cause. In Othello, each character plays a part in their demise. The way in which instruments the death of Desdemona, the ideal woman, is something of mastery.
Desdemona is a character left defenseless among expections of perfection and the plots of the other characters. Though, through no exact fault of her own, others assumptions about her virtue was a price that she paid for with her life.
As a woman without power even within her own living spaces she became a victim of man’s insecurity and their impossible standards.
