At the core, Desdemona’s dedication to her husband, Othello, is as pure as that of Juliet to Romeo. Desdemona was not blessed with great intellect or passion. Hers was not a love like Juliet’s which was forged in fire. (V.ii.323). In the process of destroying Othello, Iago’s actions result in the deaths of Othello, Desdemona, Emilia (Iago’s wife), Roderigo and the wounding of Cassio and of Iago himself. Perception indeed plays an enormous part in both plays, but perhaps no more so than in “Othello”.