Desdemona

The only daughter of Senator Brabantio, she is noted for her purity and honesty. Secretly wed to Othello, she loves and honours her husband even when he falsely accuses her of adultery.

Thursday, 29 March 2012

"Are not you a strumpet?"

"No, as I am a Christian.
If to preserve this vessel for my lord
From any other foul unlawful touch
Be not to be a strumpet, I am none."
Desdemona to Othello
Act 4 ii. 182-84

My lord. How have a done thee wrong?

My dear Othello. That wretched night when I tried to have thee understand poor Michael Cassio's reasoning, I meant no harm. He had done such great service to you and I both. He deserved my help. He deserved our help, my lord. "Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul but I do love thee; and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again." I am not this monster you thought me to be that night. I know not how I have done thee wrong. Why my lord did you stop loving me? What made thee jealous? I was never foul towards you. I never lay with any other but my lord. I was always your pure dove my lord, never the moist hand wretch you thought me to be. You were and forever will be thy only love for me.
Othello to Desdemona
Act 3 iii. 90-92