The play begins by Desdemona declaring that her name means ‘misery’, ‘ill-fated’, and ‘doomed’. Desdemona describes her experiences in growing up in a patriarchal society. She refuses to accept the tragic implications that her name predicts. Desdemona grows in a society where women should assume roles dictated to them by men. She narrates how her parents have approved such roles. The societal class status also determined how girls were raised. Girls from lower-class status were subjected to service at a young age compared to higher-class girls. Lower class girls were married off early while their counterparts in wealthy families were privileged and protected at an appropriate time.
Desdemona also talks about Barbary, her mother’s maid. She developed a strong bond with the maid, who was nice to her. Desdemona describes Barbary as a loving individual full of love and care. Barbary used to tell Desdemona about lively stories that no woman ever told her. When Desdemona meets Barbary afterlife, she remembers the intimacy of their past. However, Barbary seems unhappy by the mistreatment subjected to her by her masters. She tells Desdemona that her real name was Sa’ran. When Desdemona tries to suggest that Barbary was her best friend, she flatly disagrees. Barbary claims that she was Desdemona’s slave but not a friend. As a black person, she was treated like a slave by whites. Barbary shaped Desdemona’s decision to fall in love with Othello.
Both Desdemona and Sa’ran died due to love. The two women admit that they suffered in a society ruled by men. During their time, women were not independent and followed what was dictated to them by men. The play is based on the narration of past experiences faced by women and people of color. However, they are now living in a world where there are no racism, cultural differences, and prejudices. The play suggests that despite the challenges of racism and discrimination, there is hope afterlife.
