In William Shakespeare's Othello, we are introduced to several characters .
throughout the course of the play, three of which are female. These characters are .
Desdemona, wife to Othello, Emilia, wife to Iago and Bianca, lover of Cassio. .
Shakespeare has chosen to present the reader with only three female characters for .
strategic reasons. The significance of Emilia and Bianca is to heighten our awareness of .
Desdemona's innocence and loyalty to her husband. Emilia and Bianca are primarily .
created to present to the reader a striking contrast to Desdemona.
Desdemona is the young, sweet, and unsuspecting daughter of Venice nobleman .
Brabantio. She is often referred to throughout the play as virtuous, innocent, and pure by .
several different characters. In this conversation,.
Cassio. She's a most exquisite lady.
Iago. And, I'll warrant her, full of game.
Cassio. Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature.
Iago. What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation.
Cassio. An inviting eye: and yet methinks right modest.
Iago. And when she speaks, is it not an alurum to love?.
Cassio. She is indeed perfection. (Act 2, scene 3, lines 18-25).
the reader gains a great understanding of Desdemona's many endearing qualities, and the .
respect, and adoration she receives from the other characters in the play. Her marriage to .
Othello is somewhat contradictory to her innocent, and virtuous characteristics, because .
she has gone against her father's wishes with this marriage. Even so the reader still views .
her as innocent and pure. She has fallen in love with Othello primarily because of his .
great military deeds and his courage. These are reasons for which many of us would .
consider the wrong reasons, but nevertheless Desdemona is constant in that love.
Throughout the play Desdemona is innocent and unsuspecting, and cannot .
understand what is the cause of Othello's jealousy. She always remains faithful to .
