I want to use this post to compare and contrast the love between Desdemona and Othello and the King and Sakuntala. The love of Desdemona and Othello are manifested in Desdemona taking “pity” on Othello’s military exploits and challenges. Her father, Brabantio, would invite Othello to their house and find out about his life, specifically his struggles and victories in his capacity as a solider. As Othello stated,

” Her father loved me, oft invited me, Still questioned me the story of my life From year to year—the battles, sieges, fortunes That I have passed. I ran it through, even from my boyish days To th’ very moment that he bade me tell it, Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances: Of moving accidents by flood and field, Of hairbreadth ’scapes i’ th’ imminent deadly breach,

The love of Desdemona and Othello is born out of pity. In contrast, the love between Sakuntala and the King is born out of lust and love at first sight. On page 899, the King talks about his love for Sakuntala,

If you think my lost heart

Can love anyone but you

A fatal blow strikes a man

Already wounded by love’s arrows

The love between Desdemona and Othello lack the sensual depth found between the kind and Sakuntala. If the love between Othello and Desdemona was developed as such, maybe the actions of each would be different. Maybe its a symptom of Venetian society but clearly there is a lack of direct communication between Desdemona and Othello.