Was it love or was it lust? There is a great deal of evidence proving Desdemona’s love towards Othello, however there is a scene that says likewise. Othello is a lucky man, married to Desdemona, he has snagged a women who was approached by many men. It says a lot when a women turns down a handful of men in order to be with someone in particular. Shakespeare’s Othello does very little to give a background on the nature of their love. However one dialogue in particular is worth mentioning. As I read the sentence to myself, I cannot help but think Desdemona married not for love, but for lust. Envious of Othello’s background, he has done what she never could, travel. “She’d come again, and with a greedy ear. Devour up my discourse.” (1.3.151-152) Desdemona has taken up a fondness of Othello’s stories, they prove amusing as she finds herself running back after chores to listen. The stories Othello tells are in a word amazing, Othello has lived a hero’s life. Sold into slavery, bred as a soldier, and head of the Venetian army, Othello seems to have done it all. Point being, he has toured numerous times, while Desdemona is a caged bird. Raised in a bubble, Othello’s stories are of no other, she couldn’t imagine a world as such having been raised with a silver spoon. Introduced to a broadened world, Desdemona wants to take part and experience what Othello has. The fixation on the need to travel is an indicator as to her reasoning behind her marriage. Othello being commander, Desdemona would be able to travel and explore the world. Othello is her ticket out of the plastic bubble. Rather than live day to day listening to the endeavors and journeys he faced, why not take part, break away from the norms of her life. Now there is a lot of critique this post can face, but in this particular scene there is a possibility that she married for adventure. In a relationship, both parties bring certain things to the table, for Desdemona, Othello has brought new meaning to life.
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