Shakespeare said, “Who could refrain from having a heart to love, and in that heart the courage to make love known?” What better way to express Desdemona's deep affection for Othello than this quote. Courage is a trait that is displayed through many characters in Shakespeare's play Othello. It is the ability to defend what you believe in even in the face of great adversity. Courage is a characteristic that distinguishes a person from the rest. In Shakespeare's Othello, two characters, Desdemona and Emilia, share a common trait: courage. An act of courage can already be seen at the beginning of the show. In Act 1, Scene 3, Desdemona goes against her father's wishes. Her father despises the fact that his daughter is married to a dark-haired man and would not accept their marriage. However, he follows his heart rather than listening to his father. «So far I am your daughter. But here's my husband. And as much duty as my mother showed thee, preferring thee to her father, so much I dare to profess owed to the Moor my lord” (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 214-8). It shows a lot of courage because in Shakespeare's time, women didn't really have a voice in society. They should have obeyed their father's commands. Therefore, Desdemona's action really shows the courage she has within herself, which makes her different from other characters. Another character who possesses this exceptional trait is none other than Emilia. After seeing Desdemona's lifeless body after Othello kills her, Emilia demonstrates her courage. “I will not charm my tongue, I am bound to speak” (Act 5, scene 2, line 220). Although threatened by her husband's dagger, she maintains her virtue and "will speak as liberally as the north... center of paper..., Emilia, Logan and the nurses in New Zealand, The persistent and courageous actions of the United States li distinguish from other countries in the world. Works Cited Ernst, Amy "Notes from a Young American in the Congo: The Stigma of Rape - NYTimes.com." and Human Rights - Nicholas D. Kristof Blog - NYTimes.com Web. December 31, 2011. “PERSISTENCE AND COURAGE.” Petersburg Times [St. Petersburg, FL] May 3, 2011: 12A. Opposing Views in Web Context, William Othello ". New Zealand 17.3 (2011): 17. Health Reference Center Academic, 31 December 2011. "Quotes by William Shakespeare".. 2011.