| “I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband” | Act 1 scene 3 – Desdemona about her choice of Othello over her father |
| “Most gracious Duke … lend your prosperous ear” | Act 1 scene 3 – Desdemona to the duke to get him to listen to her. |
| “And to his honour and valiant parts did I my soul and fortunes consecrate” | Act 1 scene 3 – Desdemona saying how she loves Othello |
| “A moth of peace … the rites for which I love him are bereft me.” | Act 1 scene 3 – Desdemona begging that she goes with Othello to Cyprus |
| “Valiant Cassio” | Act 2 scene 1 – Desdemona calls Cassio ‘Valiant’ (Macbeth = Valiant cousin) |
| “Our loves and comforts should increase, even as our days do grow” | Act 1 scene 2 – Desdemona wishing that their love grows until they are dead. IRONY |
| “Good Cassio, I will do all my abilities in thy behalf” | Act 3 scene 3 – Desdemona saying how she will do what she can to reinstate Cassio. |
| “For thy solicitor shall rather die than give thy cause away” | Act 3 scene 3 – Desdemona saying she would rather die that live without Cassio in her life |
| “If I have any grace or power to move you, his present reconciliation take” | Act 3 scene 3 – Desdemona seeing how far she can abuse the role of a wife in this military world. |
| “He hath left part of his grief with me to suffer with him” | Act 3 scene 3 – Desdemona saying she feels sad for Cassio. Gives Iago what he needs |
| “When I have spoke of you dispraisingly – Hath taken your part” | Act 3 scene 3 – Desdemona’s story of how Othello won her heart. Very different to Othello’s “Greedy ear” version |
| “Whatever you be, I am obedient” | Act 3 scene 3 – Desdemona saying that even if Othello isn’t obedient to her, she is to him. A dig at him. IRONIC |
| “He puts the handkerchief from him, and she drops it” | Act 3 scene 3 – Desdemona drops the handkerchief |
| “(Strikes her) I have not deserved this” | Act 4 scene 1 – Desdemona pleading her upset and devistation after Othello hits her |
| “Your wife my lord; your true and loyal wife” | Act 4 scene 2 – Desdemona telling Othello she is loyal and loves him and that his allegations are all wrong. |
| “If to preserve this vessel for my lord from any other foul unlawful touch be not to be a stumped, I am none” | Act 4 scene 2 – Desdemona saying that he cannot call her a ‘Strumpet’ as she hasn’t slept with anyone else but him |
| “His unkindness may defeat my life, but never taint my love” | Act 4 scene 2 – Desdemona saying she will always love him even if he kills her |
| “I never did offend you in my life; never loved Cassio” | Act 5 scene 2 – Desdemona saying that she never slept with anyone else and that he never loved Cassio |
| “O banish me, my lord, but kill me not” | Act 5 scene 2 – Desdemona saying for him to banish her but not kill her |
| “He smothers he” | Act 5 scene 2 – Desdemona being killed by Othello |
Othello – Desdemona
September 13, 2019