Scene 2 – Critical Analysis Sample Paragraph 3
Desdemona is strong-willed and chooses Othello. She has spurned family and society for her only ‘sin’, the ‘loves’ she bears her husband. Shakespeare presents us with the terrible truth that innocence is no match for corruption. Desdemona discards the Christian values of her society by dying on a lie, trying to remove any suspicion about her death from her husband. She places herself beyond redemption because of her passionate feelings for Othello. In contrast, Emilia embraces the attitudes of Venetian society. She puts her trust in its civilised principles of truth and justice when she heroically demands to speak on behalf of her maligned mistress, ‘I will speak as liberal as the north’. She defies her husband, ‘I will not charm my tongue’. Not only does she reveal her husband’s guilt, she also teaches Othello about reality, ‘she loved thee, cruel Moor’. True to the Christian belief of Venetian society she will go to heaven, ‘bliss’ because she dies speaking ‘true’. Tragically, both women die. Yet Emilia is a heroine and Desdemona a victim because one accepted society’s values and the other revolted against them. These values of justice and truth profoundly affected the play’s outcome. (195 words)
Examiner’s Comment
Š Clearly illustrated arguments focusing on different sets of social attitudes and their significance in the drama.
Š Supported development of nuanced points on Christian values, civilised standards – and their tragic effects.
Š Impressive vocabulary (‘beyond redemption’, ‘civilised principles’, ‘maligned mistress’).
Š A well-written top-grade standard. Class/Homework Exercise ‘Desdemona and Emilia are weak characters who fail to gain our sympathy.’
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement on Desdemona and Emilia as presented in Act 5 of Othello? Write a paragraph (about 150–200 words), giving reasons for your views and supporting your response with suitable reference to the text.
Prompt!
Š Desdemona is a sympathetic figure, strong-willed, loving, dignified, idealistic, loyal, but she is also naive, passive and a pitiful victim.
Š Emilia is worldly, dutiful, pragmatic and ultimately heroic, yet she is also cynical and submissive.
Š The audience fluctuates in its sympathy for each character, at times understanding their motives and at other times condemning their actions.
Then Lord have mercy on me!
Desdemona Act 5 Scene 2, l.67
ACT 5
173
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