Which Play Features A Character Called Desdemona?

In Shakespeare's "Othello," Desdemona is the wife of the Moorish general Othello. Although they are newly married and in love, Othello allows himself to be tricked by a scheming officer (Iago) into believing that she is unfaithful. In a fit of jealous rage, he smothers her in bed, only later finding that she is innocent. He then stabs himself to death in remorse.

The name may have been chosen by Shakespeare for its meaning. It seems to be a Latin version of an ancient Greek word dysdaimon, meaning "ill-starred" or "unfortunate." (The word daimon can mean fate.) As a given name it is rare, but has occasionally been given to daughters since the play was written. There is a sense of its being an unlucky name, but also associated with love, purity and innocence.

There is no connection with the boy's name Desmond, which is Irish in origin and comes from a place-name.