Synthesized answer
Desdemona's fate suggests a profound lack of agency, as her attempts to assert her innocence and plead for her life are ultimately disregarded [3, 4, 5]. Despite her declarations of guiltlessness and pleas for mercy, Othello proceeds with his plan to kill her [3, 4]. Her final words are a desperate attempt to delay her death, asking to live for just one more night or even half an hour, but Othello declares "It is too late" and smothers her [5].
Her agency is further undermined by her inability to prevent her own demise, even when she is aware of the danger and Othello's escalating passion [4]. She appeals to him to banish her rather than kill her and asks him to let her live one night longer, but her pleas are in vain [5]. The passages indicate that Desdemona is a victim of Othello's jealous rage, and her fate highlights how her own will and pleas are powerless against his destructive intent [5].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
Or scant our former hauing in despight) Why we haue galles: and though we haue some Grace, Yet haue we some Reuenge. Let Husbands know, Their wiues haue sense like them: They see, and smell, And haue their Palats both for sweet, and sowre, As Husbands haue. What is it that they do, When they change vs for others? Is it Sport? I thinke it is: and doth Affection breed it? I thinke it doth. Is't Frailty that thus erres? It is so too. And haue not we Affections? Desires for Sport? and Frailty, as men haue? Then let them vse vs well: else let them know, The illes we do, their illes instruct…
, helpe. Oh Ladie speake againe, Sweet Desdemona, oh sweet Mistris, speake Des. A guiltlesse death, I dye. Aemil. Oh who hath done this deed? Des. No body: I my selfe, farewell: Commend me to my kinde Lord: oh farewell Oth. Why, how should she be murdred? Aemil. Alas: who knowes? Oth. You heare her say her selfe, it was not I. Aemil. She said so: I must needs report the truth Oth. She's like a Liar gone to burning hell, 'Twas I that kill'd her. Aemil. Oh the more Angell she, and you the blacker Diuell Oth. She turn'd to folly: and she was a whore. Aemil. Thou do'st…
y sinne: For to deny each Article with Oath, Cannot remoue, nor choake the strong Conception That I do grone withall. Thou art to dye Des. O Heauen haue mercy on me Oth. I say, Amen Des. And haue you mercy too. I neuer did Offend you in my life: neuer lou'd Cassio, But with such generall warrantie of Heauen, As I might loue. I neuer gaue him Token Oth. By Heauen I saw my Handkerchiefe in's hand. O periur'd woman, thou do'st stone my heart, And makes me call, what I intend to do, A Murther, which I thought a Sacrifice. I saw the Handkerchiefe Des. He found…
alke you of killing? Oth. I, I do Des. Then Heauen haue mercy on mee Oth. Amen, with all my heart Des. If you say, I hope you will not kill me Oth. Humh Des. And yet I feare you: for you're fatall then When your eyes rowle so. Why I should feare, I know not, Since guiltinesse I know not: But yet I feele I feare Oth. Thinke on thy sinnes Des. They are Loues I beare to you Oth. I, and for that thou dy'st Des. That death's vnnaturall, that kils for louing. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether-lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very…
I vndone Oth. Out Strumpet: weep'st thou for him to my face? Des. O banish me, my Lord, but kill me not Oth. Downe Strumpet Des. Kill me to morrow, let me liue to night Oth. Nay, if you striue Des. But halfe an houre Oth. Being done, there is no pawse Des. But while I say one prayer Oth. It is too late. Smothers her. aemilia at the doore. Aemil. My Lord, my Lord? What hoa? My Lord, my Lord Oth. What noise is this? Not dead? not yet quite dead? I that am cruell, am yet mercifull, I would not haue thee linger in thy paine? So, so. Aemil.…