as little to do with love; he sees it as the tangible manifestation of her tainted honor. No matter what anybody tells him Othello is threatened by her sexuality in such a way that he refuses to believe anybody. It is as if the handkerchief awakens a fatal attraction. If he cannot have her to himself then she must die. He also refuses to listen to reason. Iago just continues to poison his mind and he readily accepts this. Desdemona serves the function of a weapon for Iago. It is through Desdemona that Iago will get to the Moor and gain status for himself. He begins building this status by tormenting Brabantio with the news of Desdemona's disappearance. He then continues by using her love for her husband against him. Her friendship for Cassio as a primary dagger in her downfall. It is her sensitivity to her husband and his feeling of loss over the problems between himself and Cassio that bring her to defend him. She ultimately believes that by bringing them back together her husband will be more at peace. However, Iago is sure to be the devil's advocate if occasion shall arise. Desdemona just happens to be there to give him the leverage he needs. She plays right into his hands by defending Cassio. Again she works as a tool to Othello's demise by losing the handkerchief. Emilia here also loads the gun of deception by handing her mistress's handkerchief to her husband. Desdemona is apparently unaware that she is destroying her husband by being herself. Her actions coupled with Iago's twisted desire for power bring Othello to his knees. He adopts a feeling that he must save her from herself and destroy her. By destroying her, he can restore her purity. However, even when Othello kills her in a jealous rage, Desdemona does not want her husband to be responsible for her death. She claims that "nobody, I myself" committed this tragic deed. Her character holds her purity and her love for Othello until the very end of the play. ...
