This week's board focuses upon characterization. In literary studies, characterization refers to the personality of a character and the means by which the author establishes that personality.  Othello features some of Shakespeare's most vivid characters, and the first acts reveal a great deal about them. For this discussion, choose one character introduced in the first two acts of the play. What kind of character is he or she? And how can you tell?

As always, other questions or comments are welcome and encouraged. Shakespeare's plays can be challenging, so don't hesitate to raise any questions or difficulties you may have.

Good day student. Here is my answer. I hope this could help you. :)

Step-by-step explanation

Desdemona Character Analysis

Desdemona is one of central characters in Ohello, a popular play which is written by William Shakespeare. In the play, she is described as a young Venetian beauty who is adored by her father, Brabanzio. She goes against traditional Venetian custom, because in sixteenth century, in Venetian society, there were distict customs to be followed regarding sex, gender and race. Desdemona goes against their tradition by marrying Othello, an outsider and a black man,  instead of one of the rich Venetian men she is expected to marry. Desdemona is very independent woman in the first two acts of the play. She announces their marriage, which is not customary in Venetian society. She is not concerned about her Othello's ancestry or the disapproval she receives from others. The reason why Desdemona marries Othello is because Othello is adventurous and she loves his stories and lifestyle tells and she is a kind of woman that love those qualities. Her husband Othello is a strong, popular, and well-respected soldier. When Desdemona questioned by her father about Othello she states, 'But here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord' ( Act 1, Scene 3, l). She confidently tells her father that she will be loyal to her husband, just as her mother had been to him.

When discussing her love for Othello, Desdemona states, 'That I did love the Moor to live with him, my downright violence and storm of fortunes may trumpet to the world' (Act 1, Scene 3, ). Aside from describing her as independent woman, she is also seen as naive about relationships. This can be seen in Act 2 of the play. She asks Emilia, her friend and attendant if it is possible for woman to cheat on her husband which she is later accused of doing. In the beginning of the play, Desdemona was a strong woman who defied traditional Venetian beliefs, but as the story goes on, her strength is weakened, and her relationship with her husband diminishes. Her independence slowly shifts over to obedience.