"Cassio: She that I spake of, our great Captain's captain,/ Left in the conduct of the bold Iago,/ Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts/ A sennight's speed. Great Jove, Othello guard,/ And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath,/ That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,/ Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,/ Give renewed fire to our extincted spirits,/ And bring all Cyprus comfort.. Oh, behold,/The riches of the ship is come on shore!/ Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees./ Hail to thee, lady! And the grace of Heaven,/ Before, behind thee, and on every hand,/ Enwheel thee round!" II.i.v 74-87
Desdemona of Cyprus reminds me very much of Helen of Athens. Helen is renowned legend as the woman whose face started the war. Desdemona's intelligence and beauty is starting all sorts of similar battles that I think will inevitably erupt into a full out war. First, she marries Othello, infuriating and deceiving her father, Brabantio. Then, with help from Iago, just about every man falls in love with her in turn. Roderigo is smitten from the start. Cassio, as quoted above, admires her beauty; he seeks her counsel and perhaps more. Even Iago has conceded that he might try to sleep with her for revenge. "Wife for wife" was his specific claim. Something about her has all these men seeking her affection out and causing all sorts of problems and jealousy.
Now, she is not the protagonist. Iago is clearly driving the action. He has a large part in convincing Roderigo to pursue her, and then Cassio to seek her help. So Desdemona's own merit isn't always the cause of the main action, but she has a lot to do with it.
Perhaps Desdemona's beauty cannot compare to that of Helen of Athens, but her face is spark enough to inflame this play by Shakespeare.
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