Othello’ begins with a meeting between Iago and Roderigo outside Brabantio’s house. We are taken into the plot through the two men’s animated discussion about the fact that Othello has eloped with Desdemona of whom has captured Roderigo’s heart. We learn of this affair as an act of stolen love or witchcraft’ on Othello’s part. Othello is portrayed very badly in this scene and Iago’s wit makes him truly believable. The fact that Othello is written about as a burglar’ or foul thief’ suggests to the reader that he is not worthy of Desdemona.
However, our assumptions are foiled when Othello is finally asked for his side of the story. True I have married her. That is the top and bottom of my offence, no more . . . I won his daughter’. Perhaps it is his version of the story, the method by which he attained this treasured gift’ that warms our hearts to the black ram’. It is easy for one to sympathise with the beautiful tale of love. How she loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her. ‘ Othello won her through his impressive stories and adventures he encompassed when he was travelling.
The whole ordeal of the elopement serves to indicate the fact that there must be a strong bond between the two characters. Desdemona and Othello both lost extremely good reputations. Desdemona, a modest maid of such a still and quiet disposition that she blushed at her own shadow’. The fact that Desdemona In spite of her youth, her country, her reputation, everything! ‘ eloped with Othello is in itself a very bold’ action of love. Desdemona lost her father’s respect the one to whom gave me life’ and to whom she was eternally grateful’.
Valiant Othello’ also had a good reputation and it was his good luck that he was vital for state business’. Perhaps the admiration Venice had for him disappeared. The language used between Othello and Desdemona to profess their love uses images of one’s soul and heaven to suggest they are in harmony. To see you here before me. Oh my soul’s joy! If after every tempest come such calms, may the winds blow till they have wakened death, and let the labouring bark climb hills of seas, Olympus-high, and duck again as low as hell’s from heaven!
If I were now to die, Twere now to be most happy; for I fear My soul hath her content so absolute that not another comfort like to this succeeds in unknown fate” Othello is saying that his happiness is so complete that he’ll never again equal it so he wouldn’t care if he dies now. Observing this speech from Othello, it should be crystal clear that the language is from a man who is deeply in love with this woman. Throughout the play we learn that he is very controlled with a sense of dignity.
He doesn’t try to distort anything. With this in consideration, and with even Iago’s confession that he would make a good husband, one would suppose that this relationship could be viewed as admirable and perfect. However, from the points I have made so far, their can be two sides. For example, Othello’s soliloquy concerning the way in which he won Desdemona. We learn from this of Desdemona’s fascination with Othello’s stories. Twas strange, twas passing strange, twas pitiful, twas wondrous pitiful’.
Her naivety shines through when she wished she had not heard it, yet she wished that heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me, and bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, and that would woo her’. The fact that Desdemona didn’t care who it was telling the story serves to indicate that she’s in love with the stories, but not with the teller. However, the way she said this could be interpreted in two ways because it could also mean that she was simply hinting to Othello that she liked him.
When it comes down to it, why on earth would a pretty, young woman with a good up-bringing run off with an old, ugly black man? What were her motives? This was a young lady who had turned away suitor after suitor and yet she marries the one man who is not her social equal. There is every reason why these two people should not have married, age, position in society, Desdemona’s father etc. The elopement of Desdemona and Othello may be perceived as romantic – but another word that could be used is irrational.
She loved him for the stories he told and he loved her in return for? We never actually learn his reasons, one would suppose that it was her beauty and childish infatuation that she had for him. This irrationality could point to the implication that this was not thoroughly thought through – which would, in turn, suggest that their decision to elope was whimsical and not true love. If Othello were so in love with Desdemona then his work would come second however some of his lines may indicate otherwise.
Heaven defend your good souls that you think I will your serious and great business scant For she is with me. No, when light-winged toys of feathered cupid seel with wanton dullness My speculative and officed instruments, That my disports corrupt and taint my business, Let housewives make a skillet of my helm, and all indign and base adversities Make head against my reputation’ The irony of this is that Othello has already let love ruin his reputation.