Is It Truly Love?

    What can love be defined as? The things we do for someone? The time we spend with them? Our physical intimacy? Respect and trust? Communication? These are universally defined as what every relationship needs to maintain its health. In the classic Shakespearean play, Othello, we witness the progression of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship through various stages, eventually questioning the sincerity of their love. We are first introduced to the two characters as newly married and ready to take on their roles in the world, however, through reading more of the play we find that Othello's priorities remain more on his job and reputation rather than Desdemona. This has brought about the question of whether Othello truly loves Desdemona, and vice versa.

    I believe that Othello loves Desdemona however, not more than what comes from his job or status. Desdemona was merely a means of getting to a higher sense of authority and respect. This said I don't deny his love for Desdemona. During that period of time, specifically the 1570s, marriages were most often arranged and made without a choice from either side. Marriage was not a matter of emotional value but a means of status and security for families and their children. Rather than Desdemona and Othello falling deeply in love upon their first meeting, it would make sense that they were lured in by a sense of freedom. They found themselves pleased with one another, and I believe that upon those moments they made a haste decision to elope. To be pleased, however, is not love. They both found themselves face to face with what they wanted, Othello with status and power, and Desdemona with freedom and entertainment. In a desperate attempt to clasp onto that, I believe that is why they chose to marry. This brings to light the universal difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. Othello loves Desdemona in his own way however I don't believe that she means more than his work as a general. Similarly, Desdemona finds herself infatuated with a sense of freedom rather than Othello himself. As mentioned in the play, Desdemona falls in love with Othello's stories of adventure and life, hinting at the captivity that she might have felt and wanted to escape from as a young woman. Both Othello and Desdemona have different goals in what they want from their relationship, which they may both believe can only come from their marriage. I find it hard to say that they do not love each other at all, but it seems to me that they desire more than just each other.