# Desdemona — The Problems of Philosophy character guide

> Desdemona in The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0006-v-knowledge-by-acquaintance-and-knowledge-by-description

## Who they are

Shakespearean character used as an example of acquaintance.

## Relationships

### [Cassio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_problems_of_philosophy_se/characters/cassio)

_friendship_

Cassio is a loyal lieutenant and friend to Desdemona, often acting as a respectful intermediary between her and Othello.

### [Othello](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_problems_of_philosophy_se/characters/othello)

_romantic_

Desdemona and Othello are deeply in love as husband and wife, though their relationship is tragically undermined by jealousy and manipulation.

### [Cassio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_problems_of_philosophy_se/characters/cassio)

_friendship_

Cassio is a loyal lieutenant and friend to Desdemona, often acting as a respectful intermediary between her and Othello.

## In the story

### [XII: Truth and Falsehood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_problems_of_philosophy_se/chapters/xii-truth-and-falsehood)

Referenced as an object-term in Othello's false belief.

### [XIII: Knowledge, Error, and Probable Opinion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_problems_of_philosophy_se/chapters/xiii-knowledge-error-and-probable-opinion)

Mentioned as the only person who could have acquaintance with the fact of her love for Cassio, illustrating the privacy of mental facts.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_problems_of_philosophy_se/characters/desdemona
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_problems_of_philosophy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_problems_of_philosophy_se/characters