Othello: Desdemona And Jesus

Both Desdemona and Jesus have been associated with the idea of a pure mind and spirit. They are spotless in their behavior and actions and are untouchable. Each have pure innocent blood that was unnecessarily shed coincidently by people who were given wrong information about the characters. Desdemona’s wedding sheets was her ocular proof to Othello that she was innocent of adultery “…white sheets… “ Her sensual attraction to Othello, which she never even thinks of denying, enables her to seek the last, best means to dispel Othello’s wrath” (Cook 192). When Othello choked her to death, Desdemona’s blood was shed and stained the sheets. Her blood shed was a symbol of virginity (her blood was only for Othello). Bloody stripes that bore on Jesus’s

In Othello, Desdemona is described of having fair skin. Psalm 51: 7 states Jesus had come to wash man whiter than snow from the blood of his body. White has also been linked to a good angel. Desdemona has been said to be an angel by her friend Emilia “After the murder, Emilia attacks Othello: ‘O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!’ (5.2.131)”. (Leggatt 844). Jesus was not an angel but figuratively to the people he was a bright light to those he helped and saved. For example, the leper he healed who was hiding from the crowd while he was climbing the mountain on his way to Galilee. Another connection Desdemona has to Jesus is they are both associated with a lamb a symbol for purity. Iago describes Desdemona as a white ewe to Roderigo, “” …Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe!” (Act I Scene 4)” (Cook 188). The lamb of God is a common reference to Jesus Christ who like a lamb is young and spotless without any imperfections. Othello’s Petrarchan view of Desdemona would also have been a sign that Desdemona is different than the other woman of Othello. A Petrarchan perspective marriage is when the wife is seen goddess-like and can do no