Act V brings with it a slew of interesting, plot-twisting character deaths, two of the most significant being the deaths of Desdemona and Othello. Not only do both of these characters' demises come shockingly and thus add excitement to the play, but the manner in which they die highlights their most significant character traits. In other words, both Desdemona and Othello die true to who they really are. After being strangled by Othello, Desdemona holds on dearly to the last shreds of her life. Emilia enters the scene and questions Desdemona, asking her frantically for the identity of her murderer. Ever loyal to her husband, Desdemona recognizes the danger posed toward Othello if she were to incriminate him and replies, "Nobody, I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. Oh, farewell!" (Shakespeare 1453). Even in death, a death brought on by Othello himself, Desdemona conveys her incredible loyalty toward her husband. After fully realizing the error in his actions, Othello follows suit. In an effort to redeem his former honor and atone for his sins, Othello, after a lengthy speech explaining his murderous behavior, commits suicide. Thus, in his eyes, Othello redeems his honor and dies romantically with his true love, saying, "No way but this, killing myself, to die upon a kiss," (Shakespeare 1460). As such, the lovers' deaths characterize them fully as Loyal Desdemona and Honorable Othello.
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