Desdemona dies in the last scene of Shakespeare’s Othello. The Moor arrives at her chamber, intent on serving as both judge, jury, and executioner. He asks Desdemona if she prayed before bed, and urges her to confess her sins. The man then smothers his wife with a pillow.
Detailed answer:
Desdemona’s death scene is the climax of Act V in Shakespeare’s Othello. Driven by Iago’s suspicion, jealousy, and false evidence, the Moor decides to kill his wife. He chooses smothering as a method, as it is bloodless and painless. He arrives at Desdemona’s chamber and asks if she is done with her prayers. Frightened by his demeanor, the woman asks the Moor why he wants to kill her. The man answers that it is punishment for cheating on him with Casio.
Desdemona denies these accusations as false. Her husband insists that the handkerchief provided by Iago is evidence enough. She begs Othello to let her live a bit longer, but he ignores it. The sounds of Emilia outside the door distract the man, allowing Desdemona to cry out a warning. She said that she was not murdered but killed herself. It was done in an attempt to save Othello, whom she still loved. However, the Moor ruins that attempt by claiming in front of Emilia that Desdemona is smothered by him. Later, it is discovered that Iago obtained Desdemona’s handkerchief through Emilia, who then kills her. The scene ends with the Moor kneeling on the floor between two murdered women.
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