To what extent is Desdemona responsible for her tragedy?

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To what extent is Desdemona responsible for her tragedy Desdemona is one of the most innocent and loving heroines in Shakespeare s - Othello Her tragedy is painful and sad Though she is a victim of Iago s plot her own innocence bold nature and mistakes also contribute to her tragic death Innocent and Trusting Nature Desdemona is too innocent to see evil in others She fully trusts Iago and Othello Her blind faith makes her weak before the cruel tricks of Iago Even when Othello doubts her she says softly My noble Moor is true of mind Her honesty and trust become her danger Bold and Defiant Spirit Desdemona is not a silent woman She boldly chooses Othello against her father s wish saying But here s my husband This courage shows her strong love but also her willingness to take a risk In a society ruled by men

her open defiance of tradition creates trouble Her boldness leads her into a world of jealousy and misunderstanding Too Much Faith in Cassio Desdemona s effort to help Cassio becomes a reason for Othello s doubt She repeatedly pleads for Cassio s return saying Why then tomorrow night or Tuesday morning This act though kind makes Othello think she loves Cassio Her goodness thus becomes her greatest mistake Passive in Her Suffering Even when Othello calls her a strumpet she never protests Her silence and submission increase his anger She accepts death quietly and says Commend me to my kind lord O farewell Her purity brings pity but her passivity makes her powerless In short Desdemona s tragedy is not entirely her fault She is pure loyal and loving Yet her innocence boldness and blind faith in love help fate destroy her She dies a victim of goodness itself

Othello

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To what extent is Desdemona responsible for her tragedy?

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William Shakespeare

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