Desdemona Character Progression Throughout the Play

Desdemona's character is clearly not the same throughout the play.  At the start of the play she appears to be a strong, independently minded who is willing to stand up for what she believes in even if it is something that is hard to do.  For instance, in the first Act she defies her father, saying that she truly loves Othello, despite him threatening that he will disown her, which he does.  This is shown in the quote "My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty" (I.iii. lines 179-180).  Even by the fourth act she still shows some resolve and diligence when Othello strikes her when she states "I have not deserved this" (IV.i. line 236).

However, by the end of the play when she finds out that Othello believes her to be unfaithful she becomes a submissive character.  For instance when Emilia asks her "O, who hath done this deed?" Desdemona replies just before she dies "Nobody, I myself.  Farewell.  Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell" (V.ii. 133-134).  Even when Othello tells Desdemona that he is going to kill her, she remains submissive and doesn't try to defend herself or get angry with him to convince him that she is faithful.

So why this sudden, and fairly drastic transition?  I believe it is because throughout the rest of the play, before she becomes really submissive, she believes everything is good.  Sure, her relationship with her father is ruined at this point but she has already made it clear that Othello is what she wants in life.  She was willing to give up everything (including her father) for him because she believed so strongly in him.  However, it is when she realizes that Othello believes her unfaithful and won't forgive her, that she falls apart as a character and becomes submissive.  This, to me is because she no longer can have faith in their mutual love.  Sure, she is still deeply in love with Othello despite what he believes, but it is clear to her that he may feel that love for her again.  I see the final submission as a way of her doing a final test.  If there was still some love in Othello for her, than when the moment came to pass to kill her he would realize his mistake and ask for forgiveness.  If he won't ever forgive her and is even willing to kill her than in a way she accepts death because she no longer has anything to live for.  She has given everything away to have Othello and when Othello abandons her, she is left with nothing, not even her dignity and honor because she had put them on the line with her trust in Othello which clearly was a mistake.  Thus, death is a welcoming thing for her because then she wouldn't have to feel the pain of her abandoned love.