Design Choices

            The title of the blog “Dear Othello” is to show Desdemona’s appreciation of her husband and emphasize their time spent together. The background is pink with flowers to symbolize Desdemona’s beauty and femininity. The font “Times New Roman” is used to represent the style of writing possibly used in that medieval era. The profile picture is of Desdemona and Othello to express their deep love for each other. Act 4 contains an image of a crocodile and willow tree. The crocodile purely applies to the quote Othello uses to insult Desdemona because crocodiles were believed to lead people to destruction. The willow tree simply references the song Desdemona continuously sings that her mother taught her as a child. For act 3, the image of a strawberry handkerchief was used to represent Othello’s token of love and marriage, given to Desdemona so that she may be his forever. Act 3 emphasizes the importance of the handkerchief in the play. The image of the sinking ship used for act 2 was to show the Turkish fleet sinking, ending the war in Cyprus. Act 1 is all about Desdemona and Othello’s marriage, so wedding rings represent their elopement and love for each other.

Act 1

These past days have been absolutely magical. Not the kind of magic that is performed by sorcerer’s and is unexplainable to the mind, but the magical feeling you get when the explainable is not to the mind, but to the heart. I’m talking about the magic of love; more importantly my love to my dear Othello. Othello and I decided we were ready to take our love to the next level, and a marriage was born. After we eloped, we wanted to spend our first night together as husband and wife at the Sagittary Inn. Overwhelmed from all the excitement, I was exhausted and could now only handle some sleep. Othello had been called outside by a group of men, and I assumed they were in need of his help since he is such a worthy and important general. In a way this pleased me, since his wonderful stories of his courage during the battles of war, are the cause of my great love for him. I was awakened from my dream by one of the Duke’s attendants whom of which told me the Duke wished to speak to me. This completely caught me off guard since I have never been asked to be seen by someone so important. When I arrived at the Duke’s I was surprised to see Othello, the Duke, and my father Brabantio standing before me. I instantly got a gut feeling that my father had found out about my secret marriage to Othello; and he was not at the least impressed. They all laid blank stares upon me until my father broke the silence by asking, “Where most you owe obedience?”(I.iii.180). Without pausing I replied, 

                         My noble father,
                         I do perceive here a divided duty:
                        To you I am bound for life and education;
                        My life and education both do learn me
                        How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;
                        I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband,
                        And so much duty as my mother show'd
                         To you, preferring you before her father,
                        So much I challenge that I may profess
                        Due to the Moor my lord. (I.iii.180-189)

I felt it was my duty to let my father know of my great respect and love for all he has done for me throughout my childhood. My father means a great deal to me, but know my adulthood love belongs to my husband Othello. My mother put my father before her father, and just like she did for him, I am going to do the same for Othello. I hoped this would allow my father to understand my actions, but let him know that the love I have for Othello is not false, and is purely from my own heart.

Act 2

Today I travelled to the little island of Cyprus where Turks were rumored to attack and conquer our land. It felt like my duty to be with Othello, even in times of great fear and danger. I was very nervous upon my husband’s arrival, in fear he would not arrive safely over the rough waters. If he were to drown, I could not bear living. I was so relieved to see his sweet face again; it filled my heart with such joy. Fortunately the Turkish fleet’s ships sunk, and we were at peace once again. I was happy to see my good friend Michael Cassio after arriving, whom greeted me graciously like a gentleman unlike Iago. Iago shared his view on women; I was not impressed to say the least. As I said to Emilia and Cassio, “O most lame and impotent conclusion! Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. How say you, Cassio? is he not a most profane and liberal counselor?”(2.2.160-162) to express my offence and anger. He believes we are all evil and only good for cleaning, cooking, and having children. This greatly offended me because it is untrue. All the venetians had a wonderful time with a feast, music, and dancing in celebration of the Turks demise and reinstating of peace. To my shock, Cassio was overly intoxicated and engaged in a fight with Roderigo and the governor. He brutally injured the governor, it must have been a terrifying sight but I know Cassio’s true nature, it was purely accidental. To my dismay, my beloved husband Othello relieved Cassio of his lieutenant position in regards to his actions and granted Iago the job instead. After the pandemonium had deceased, I continued on to bed with Othello.   

Act 3

Things are still going well with Othello and I, but last night he made a decision that I was not quite fond of. His loyal lieutenant, and a dear friend of mine, Michael Cassio got himself into a fight with Montano, the Governor of Cyprus. I believe it indeed was a great mistake, but Cassio is worthy of his job. Cassio, knowing that I am a good friend to him, came to me and asked me for help. I assured him that I would do the best of my abilities, and I was sure that my beloved Othello would trust my opinion. Once I saw Othello I immeadiately began my plea to get Cassio back his job, but Othello appeared to have no interest in the subject and continued to grow irrated; to which I do not know why.

 Quick to change the subject, Othello told me the story about the handkerchief he had given me. I   found this a little strange, or a coincidence to say, that he would tell me this story, since I had lost the handkerchief that very day. Still, he told me the history of the item. His mother had given it to him on her deathbed, and she told him that she had bought it from a sorcerer. The sorcerer put a magic spell on the handkerchief that meant whomever the handkerchief was given to, the love between those two people would last forever. He went on to tell me that if the handkerchief were to be given away or lost, the love would be broken. I felt so terrible after he told me this. The guilt tore away at me due to my great love for Othello. I never meant to lose the handkerchief, and I hope he does not believe that our love is broken. I began to assure him that everything was alright, but he took of in a rage. He has been quite distant and angry today, and I do not know why. Stunned I told Emilia:          I ne’er saw this before.

                                                                                Sure there’s some wonder in this handkerchief;

                                                                                I am most unhappy in the loss of it. (III.iv. 95-97)

When Emilia, my best girlfriend, saw Othello in his rage, she went on a rant about how terrible men are. She believes that all they do is get want they want from women and than throw them away. I, however, do not believe this is true at all. Othello proves himself to be a great man, and is constantly showing his love for me. I believe every man has the capability to truly love a woman, and they aren’t all evil.

Act 4

It saddens me greatly, my dear Othello place his hand upon my face in an unjust, unloving manner today while I spent time with my father’s friend Lodovico. Tears streamed from my face as he stood there with pure hatred. I cannot possibly understand what I have done to anger him. Upon leaving, he insulted me and upsetting me further. Othello yelled “O devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight!”(4.1.233-234) at me. I truly appreciate my good friend Emilia supporting me afterwards and defending my honor towards Othello. He wrongly accused me of lying with another man. I do not understand the origins of these false accusations. My husband even threw coins at me, to strengthen his point of calling me a whore. It upsets me dearly; I am an honest and loyal wife. I am glad I have Iago to go to for advice on the situation. He is a good an honest man. Later that evening, Emilia helped me prepare for bed. I sang my favorite song my mother used to sing to me, called “Willow”. Afterwards, we discussed our opinion of men; hers differed from my own immensely. She compared them to stomachs that eat us and belch us. Personally, I love Othello, and know men are not God’s but they do appreciate and care for women. I dismissed Emilia and proceeded to bed.