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The Clever Iago

March 22, 2016 4:52 pm / Leave a comment

By Andrew Stedman

Michael Scott, an Irish writer once said, “villains often more the story along while the heros react to the villains, so the villain becomes the engine of the story.” This quote almost perfectly describes Iago, the villain and manipulative character in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello. Throughout the play, Iago tricks and manipulates many characters such as Othello and Roderigo into believing his elaborate plan: to get revenge on Othello and Cassio. Iago’s use of manipulation allows him to exploit the weaknesses of many gullible characters.

Iago is able to manipulate Othello and Roderigo through their weaknesses. Iago first targets Roderigo, who is deeply in love with Desdemona. Since Roderigo is unaware of his surroundings because his love for Desdemona is so strong, Iago “who hast had [Roderigo’s] purse” (I.i.2) takes lots of money. Also, Iago convinces Roderigo to keep funding him and to give him as much money as possible. This exploitation expresses how gullible Roderigo is because of his unawareness; therefore, Iago manipulates him through his weakness, which then results in him gaining money. Similarly to Roderigo, Othello, who is also in love with Desdemona, is manipulated by Iago. Iago easily manipulates and exploits Othello’s very obvious weakness: jealousy. First off, Iago slowly hints that Desdemona has cheated on Othello with Cassio. This causes Othello to be very concerned about the situation on hand and if the rumor is true or not. Although before he jumps to any conclusions, Othello has to “see before he [doubts], prove, / And on the proof there is no more but this: / Away at once with love or jealousy!” (III.iii.195-197). This quote means Othello has to see hard evidence of them cheating, and then he will stop loving Desdemona. By slowly dropping these hints of Desdemona cheating, Iago is able to control and persuade Othello with anything he says and does. At the same time Iago also makes Othello jealous with these hints. It is eventually revealed that Othello found hard evidence, a handkerchief, that was planted by Iago, and thus Othello stopped loving Desdemona. Iago also attacked Othello’s self-esteem to make him even more jealous and sad. He calls Othello derogatory turns like “the Moor” (I.iii.336) to lower his self-esteem. Iago also says that there is a chance that Desdemona had an affair because she denied “many proposèd matches / Of her own clime, complexion, and degree” (III.iii.235-236). This quote shows that Desdemona denied to marry people of her same race and social class. Therefore it reveals that Desdemona possibly could have had an affair because Othello is a different race and in a lower social class. In turn, this would then hurt his self-esteem and make him even more jealous of Cassio, the man who supposedly slept with Desdemona. Through his many acts of manipulation on Othello, Iago further develops the plot because the whole novel is based on what he does. Iago easily took advantage of Othello and Roderigo, and had almost full control of their outcomes.

Over time Iago uses many different tactics of manipulation to control other characters so that he can reach the success of getting revenge on Othello and Cassio. These characters never fully see Iago’s intentions until the end of the play. Although Iago was the villain, it was his actions that further progressed and developed the plot.

Bianca The Loving

March 22, 2016 4:48 pm / Leave a comment

By Jae LeDee

Shakespeare added Bianca to the play Othello to show that despite your rank in society you can fall in love with anyone. She is a prostitute that is in love with Cassio while they are in Cyprus. As her feelings for Cassio run rampant; Cassio has the same feelings for her. Even though Bianca is a prostitute she plays a major role in the play.

Bianca in the play Othello is a prostitute who is in love with Cassio. She has deep feeling for Cassio. Her love in the play in multiple instance but a time that really stands out to me. In Act. 3 sc. 4 pg. 165 when Cassio gives her the handkerchief she is heartbroken because she thinks he is cheating. “ This token from a newer friend. To the felt absence now I feel a cause”. The feelings between her and Cassio are consensual, because Cassio is with her the majority of the time throughout the play. When Bianca accuses him of seeing someone behind her back he is hurt and defends himself. “Throw your vile in the devil’s teeth, From whence you have them. You are jealous now that this is from some mistress, some remembrance. No ,(by my faith) Bianca” (act. 3 sc. 4 pg.165). He says “by my faith which means he is faithful to her. This love is also displayed in the book by Cassio’s actions as well. It is stated that Cassio’s wife is very fair, yet he still spends most of his time with Bianca, which has to mean there’s some love between them. For example when Bianca invites Cassio to dinner, but the night before he spent the night with her. In Act. 4 sc. 1 Cassio says,” I must. She’ll rail in the streets else”. This shows that without Cassio Bianca will just walk the street, so Cassio knows that and follows her to keep her safe. For the role Bianca in the play, she is very important. For example the handkerchief scene without her bringing Cassio the handkerchief; Othello would never believed Desdemona was cheating on him. Another thing I saw about Bianca is that she is not a bad person as everyone thinks she is just because she is prostitute. She actually stays true to one man instead of being like the others and sleeping with all the men. If Cassio were not married, Bianca wouldn’t be considered so bad in the Shakespearean society.

Shakespeare added Bianca to the play Othello so he can show the audience how love can catch anyone. Cassio who has a fair wife in a way falls in love for Bianca the prostitute. Shakespeare makes this work the other way around as well. Since Bianca is a prostitute she would have many lovers but in the play she stays true to Cassio.

Troublesome Iago

March 22, 2016 4:35 pm / Leave a comment

By Aryan Minooe

Iago begins the play as an innocent man who is working alongside Roderigo. He is helping Roderigo to get Desdemona, because he is paying Iago in jewels. It is not long before Iago betrays his own partner, Roderigo, and goes off starting drama. Iago also acts like he is friends with Othello and Cassio, but then he goes behind their back and starts rumors about each of them.

Iago, a man who has no sympathy whatsoever for any of the other characters, is the foundation for the play, Othello. Iago does savage things to all of the characters and does not even feel guilty about it once the result is bad. These ridiculous actions cause the characters to turn against one another, which keeps the play entertaining. The worst part is he never gets punished for his mischievous actions. Othello says, “Iago is most honest” (II.iii.83). Othello, as well as all of the other characters, think that Iago is a very trustworthy and honest person. However, the truth is he is the exact opposite; he is a cunning liar. Emilia says, “You told a lie, an odious, damned lie! / Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie!” (V.ii.251). We learn a lot about Iago as a character from his actions. Anything that he says, or that is said of him, is not true. The truth about Iago is that he is a mischievous and he does anything he can to cause trouble. Iago also acts innocent and gets away with it because of his honest reputation. Iago says, “Whose noise is this that cries on / murder?” (V.i.227). He said this immediately after he himself stabbed Cassio and then acted like he was clueless. Iago does not care who experiences troubles, as long as there is some sort of conflict occurring. It almost seems like he does it for his own personal pleasure. Overall, Iago is a very unpredictable and deceptive character.

The characters do not realize who Iago really is until the very end of the play; however, we know who he is the entire time. We, as the readers, knew that Iago was the source of everyone’s problems, but the other characters did not even imagine it to be Iago. As stated before, all of the other characters believe that Iago is one of the most honest and trustworthy people around. Before the story ends, Othello as well as everyone else who is alive, realizes that every single problem that they had was due to Iago and his lies. Without Iago, the play, Othello, would not have consisted of as much conflict between the characters, which is what made the play entertaining.

A Strong, Independent Woman Who Needs to Stop Being with Her Man

March 22, 2016 4:31 pm / Leave a comment

by Kelley Orr

Emilia, a seemingly insignificant character in Othello because of her lack of lines and presence in scenes, plays a character who is crucial to the plot and message of the tragedy. Emilia is important because of her small actions but more importantly because of her sufferings before the story starts and throughout the play have made her wise, and she passes on her wisdom to the audience as well as the characters on stage.

Emilia’s husband Iago is a misogynist jerk, and the readers learn a lot about Emilia as a character from the way he treats her and other women. Emilia enters the stage a few times throughout the story, sometimes to bring other characters on or off, sometimes to help Desdemona, or sometimes to help the audience learn more about Iago. Emilia appears in 2.1, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.2, and 4.3. In 2.1, Emilia arrives in Cyprus with Desdemona, Cassio, and Iago, while they all wait for Othello to arrive. While Emilia’s being in this scene is not truly crucial, it gives the audience the sense that Iago and Emilia do not really have a healthy relationship. The way he acts towards her seems verbally abusive, and his behavior towards her says a little about her character, but a lot about his. For example,

“Come on, come on. You are pictures out of door, / bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens, / saints in your injuries, devils being offended, play- / ers in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds (II.i.122-125).”

“You shall not write my praise (II.i.129)”

She lets her husband push her over like this and treat her awfully. Iago insults Emilia as well as all women, calling them all the same and saying women belong in the house. And if she really loves her husband she would try to do anything to get a loving spark back from him, which is exactly what she tries to do later.

Throughout Act 3, Emilia serves a number of purposes. Iago nags her to get Cassio to talk to Desdemona so his evil plan can continue to unravel. Also, one of the most key elements for the tragedy to occur is the loss of Desdemona’s handkerchief. Iago has been asking Emilia to steal it, and when the innocent Desdemona drops it, Emilia picks it up. Possibly thinking this piece of fabric is a solution for her broken marriage, she says, “I am glad I have found this napkin[…] My wayward husband hath a hundred times / Wooed me to steal it (III.iii.334-335).” In some performances of the play, Emilia teases Iago with the handkerchief, the actor could use it to be mean to him. In some instances, the actor could perform it like the handkerchief is not a big deal. And in some instances, the actor playing Iago remains abusive towards her while demanding the handkerchief, sometimes he flirts back, sometimes he gets on top of her *wink wink* like one of the film adaptations.

Desdemona and Emilia have a quiet relationship. What I mean by quiet is that their relationship is very proper and professional as the readers can tell from Emilia being her mistress and nothing more. Desdemona occasionally asks Emilia for advice, and in IV.iii.95-115, Emilia gives Desdemona the best piece of advice she can give to her and also to the men and women of the audience. “Let husbands know / Their wives have sense like them (IV.iii.105-106)” means that men, particularly husbands, even more specifically, those who cheat, need to know their wives are people too. Emilia’s wise words from personal experience gives the audience knowledge on how broken marriages are started.

At first glance, a high school student such as I did not understand a word Emilia was saying, but after some investigating and researching, I have come to this conclusion: Emilia’s words about feminism were as beautiful as they were true. I did not know if feminism was a thing at the time of this play being written, but I never would have guessed that these ideas existed in this time period. I thought feminism was more of a 20th century and on type of idea. Emilia’s ideas that husbands need to know their wives are people too is something that most people would say they already understand, but at this time and today, this is an still issue. Domestic abuse still happens between men and women, and more commonly the harm is brought upon women, the wives or sisters or daughters or grandmothers or mothers of the household. And it makes me feel uncomfortable that domestic abuse is still an issue. Emilia is truly speaking from experience because of actions from Iago like when he snatches the handkercief from her in Act 3 demonstrants Emilia has been verbally, physically, and emotionally abused. Yet, she is a strong woman though because she puts up with it and passes on her wisdom Desdemona and the audience. Iago does not treat her like a human being, he treats her like a “villainous whore” (V.ii.273), and judging from this word choice, he does not see her as a woman, or even his own wife. Iago’s verbal abuse towards Emilia proves her point that broken marriages are started with husbands disrespecting their wives.

Emilia is a strong woman in a weak and abusive relationship who tries to satisfy her husband by bringing him tools for his secret evil plan. She is not afraid when she is threatened by Othello and Iago, and is faithful to her mistress Desdemona except when she does not tell her mistress about the discovery of Desdemona’s handkerchief.

Emilia’s most powerful quality is her good, strong mind. She is obedient, and she tries to heal her broken marriage, and she tries to show the audience how broken marriages are started. Emilia’s speech about feminism portrays her as a woman who as been abused, and she eloquently and effortlessly explains solutions for domestic abuse to Desdemona. In conclusion, Emilia is a woman who suffered an undeserving death, but her wise words will leave a beautiful legacy.

image: http://www.hermes-press.com/othello.htm

Iago, the Devil

March 22, 2016 4:22 pm / Leave a comment

by Anna Reckling

In Othello Iago is an important character that has very different relationships with all the characters. Iago’s relationships appears real and truthful, even though Iago is being fake and is using them. Iago uses Roderigo for his plan to bring Othello down. In doing so he has to build trust with Othello, but he does so by telling him lies. Iago even uses his own wife for his plan. Iago uses his relationships with Emilia and Roderigo for his own selfish motives of bringing Othello down.

Othello and Iago’s relationship is built off of lies. Iago wants revenge on Othello, but Othello does not know. He trusts Iago and thinks he is trying to be his friend. He listens to his advice and even calls him Honest Iago (1.3.336-337) “ ‘Tis he! O brave Iago, honest and just,” (5.1.34) Othello believes Iago when he says his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him with Cassio. He questions it and asks for proof but Iago tells Othello more lies. Even though Othello trusts Iago, Iago does not like Othello. Iago is infuriated by the rumors of Emilia, his wife, sleeping with Othello. Or at the promotion of Cassio, and not him. Iago’s emotions cause him to plot Othello’s downfall. In order to bring Othello down, Iago uses Roderigo as his puppet to implant lies in Othello’s head. Rodrigo gets upset and frustrated that Iago uses him but Iago is still able to reel Rodrigo back in. Iago says he will help Roderigo end up with Desdemona. At the end of the book Iago is done using Roderigo. As Iago kills his puppet, he screams out, “O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!” (5.1.74) Roderigo finally sees that Iago is not who he says he is. Emilia, Iago’s wife, is the one person who sees that Iago is not a kind loyal friend. Iago, like Roderigo, uses Emilia to help him trick Desdemona and Othello. When Iago heard about the Othello and Emilia having an affair he became very angry but does not have a hard time believing this rumor. Throughout the play he seems to imply that Emilia is a whore, whether she really is on or not. Iago disrespects Emilia, yet she still tries to please him, “I nothing but to please his fantasy,” (3.3.343). Emilia tries to please Iago, but he still acts like the devil he is and masterminds his plan to bring Othello down. Emilia finally stands up for herself, when she sees that her mistress, Desdemona, is dead. That only leads to Iago stabbing and killing her. These relationships and actions reveal things about Iago that seem devilish. In the play there are times where Iago even admits to being devilish. “Directly to his good? Divinity of hell! / When devils will the blackest sins put on,/ They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, /As I do now” (2.3.370-374)

Iago uses his own wife and friend to help bring down Othello. Othello, someone who trusted him gets betrayed. Rodrigo someone who helped him implant lies, gets used and ends up dead. Lastly, even his own wife who tried to please him, ends up dying at the sword of her own husband. We the readers wonder, is Iago really doing all of this out of pure jealousy? Or is he doing this because he is purely evil?

Emilia: The Wise One

March 22, 2016 4:20 pm / Leave a comment

By: Crafton Deal

Emilia is a strong willed, independent character that relates a really unique message in the story of Othello. She is a quintessential role for a powerful female character in Othello. Emilia’s maturness and wiseness provides a confidence for Desdemona throughout her struggles in the play, pertaining to the treatment of wives from their husbands.

We are first introduced to her in Act II, and our first impression is quite uncomfortable. It is an awkward and rude scene between her, Cassio, and Iago. When Cassio greets Emilia by kissing her hand, Iago makes a snarky remark. He stated, “Sir, would she give you so much of her lips/ As of her tongue she oft bestows on me/ You’d have enough” (II.i.100-102). As readers, we saw this as Iago insinuating that all Emilia does is yell at him. It was a complete put-down, and it made me feel sympathetic towards Emilia. Instead of taking it, she retaliates by saying “You have little cause to say so/ […] You shall not write my praise” (II.i.107,115). She is standing up for herself by saying that her husband has no reason to put her down, and calls him out by saying he has nothing good to say about her. It is admirable of Emilia’s character to be able to speak up for herself, especially as a woman in this time period. We as readers also see this scene as an indication of a strained relationship between her and her husband. Throughout the story, we see her and Iago’s tense relationship in several scenes. Her feeling towards Iago is negative (this is shown in the willow scene). Emilia feels very close to Desdemona, despite her action of keeping the handkerchief from her. Emilia treats Desdemona almost as a younger sister. This sisterhood feeling towards Desdemona is exemplified when Othello asks Emilia about an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. In Act IV scene ii, Emilia stands up for Desdemona by telling Othello that Desdemona is not having an affair with Cassio.

The best and most famous of Emilia’s scenes would be the willow scene. In Act IV scene iii, Emilia and Desdemona are having a conversation in the bed chamber of Othello and Desdemona. The friendship between these characters is an almost sisterly love that generates a lot of discussion and ideas. In this scene, they are discussing whether or not women cheat on their husbands. She explains “Let husbands know/ Their wives have sense like them: they see and smell/ And have their palates both for sweet and sour…” (IV.iii.92-94). Emilia states a speech that basically explains how men need to understand women have the same feelings and passions as men do. She justifies the fact that women are equal to men. Men and women see and smell the same. This feminist ideology would have been so rare in Elizabethan times. Shakespeare’s Emilia was both revolutionary and original. People during this time period learned the same lesson that we can learn today: men and women are in fact equal. Readers have contemplated how Shakespeare created this character of Emilia to teach what was, at the time, a very unique lesson. This exemplifies how creative and revolutionary Shakespeare was. Despite the put-downs and struggles Emilia goes through as a woman in the play, she still holds a determined and passionate stature. This passion and determination not only helps herself, but helps teach Desdemona important lessons.

Emilia’s importance to the story of Othello is so significant. Each reader can learn and take very important messages with them after getting to know Emilia. She is one of the most recognized characters throughout all of shakespeare’s work. Desdemona’s ability to confide in Emilia shows precious moments of sisterhood. As a whole, Emilia shared with the audience that men and women are equivalent with one another.

Injurious Iago

March 10, 2016 5:25 pm / Leave a comment

By Will Langford

Iago is a cunning character that effortlessly deceives the characters of Othello, as he is trusted by the clueless and he manipulates the ones in power in his favor. The reader is especially able to view Iago’s true sentiment in his soliloquy when he addresses the audience and declares his resentment of the moor; a hatred that eventually brings the abrupt downfall of the characters of Othello.

Due to Iago’s compassionate words and his ability to be two faced, he easily infiltrates the minds of the characters of Othello and asserts himself as the puppet master of the naive and vulnerable. Iago detests nearly every character of Othello, as he refers to Othello and others in a derogatory manner. When Iago calls Othello the moor this is especially derogatory as Iago is only seeing Othello at face value; which in this case is the color of his skin. Iago is also willing to blatantly relay his disgust towards the moor in his soliloquy seen in this passage: ”I hate the Moor:/ And it is thought abroad, that ‘twixt my sheets/ He has done my office” (I.iii.381- 382). This shows Iago’s unrestrained hatred and his willingness to implicate Othello in something that’s only hearsay. Iago equally has ill feelings for his wife, Emilia, as he introduces her to the audience the first the audience sees her with a blatant put down, “Sir, would she give you so much of her lips/ As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,/ You’ll have enough” (II.i.100- 102). This quip from Iago says that he believes that Emilia is constantly berating him. Emilia is frustrated with her husband and the poor state of their marriage, although unlike Iago she desires for their marital relationship to improve. Emilia does this by deciding to trust Iago’s intentions and gives him Desdemona’s handkerchief that Othello gave to her. Iago is even able to trick his wife who knows more about his true face than most of the other characters. Iago deceives every character due to their untarnished image of him, yet Iago must be a persuasive and charismatic character to be able to successfully mislead his wife, who is not unaware of Iago’s bitter side who seems to be a pragmatic character. On the other hand, the other characters, excluding Iago and Emilia, adore Iago for his seemingly honest and compassionate nature, as proven by references to him as “honest Iago.” The audience would never conclude that Iago is honest since the text blatantly shows his deceiving nature. However, it is evident that the characters are oblivious to Iago’s real sentiment due to their references of Iago as honest. Othello especially believes that Iago is a credible source, as he presses him for information by saying, “What is the matter, masters?/ Honest Iago, that look’st dead with grieving,/ Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee” (II.iii.170- 172). Exhibited in the text, the most important quality of Iago is definitely his duplicity. Roderigo knows Iago’s actual diabolic nature, and he is the only one privileged to this side of Iago. Shakespeare clearly intended for this quality to be highlighted by Iago’s reference to Janus, the two faced god. Iago, as well, was written to have two faces; one of honesty and compassion, and another of vehement and resentment.

Iago’s ability to create two faces of polar sentiments is how he creates an image of himself that is perceived as honest and allows him to infiltrate the minds of Othello. We, the readers, are aware of his knack for his treachery and being known as an honest man, yet the characters are tragically not aware, and even Emilia is able to be convinced that Iago has redeemable intentions, as Iago is truly capable of powerful influence and deception.

Roderigo, the Romantic Simpleton

March 9, 2016 8:31 pm / 3 Comments on Roderigo, the Romantic Simpleton

by Rodrigo Guerra

Revenge and cunning outlines the entirety of Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello. One of the main personas in the whole scheme that formulates the play is a character named Roderigo. Roderigo, not being aware of it, helps Iago, a character that wants revenge on Othello for promoting Michael Cassio as his lieutenant, and not him. Iago plans to use Roderigo as his pawn in the game of revenge. Roderigo’s views of the other characters in the storyline, as well as their views of him, markedly contribute to the result of the story. Roderigo is the focal point of the story because without him, the entire plot would not be possible. (more…)

Iago’s Symbol

March 9, 2016 8:29 pm / 2 Comments on Iago’s Symbol

by Zachary Lewitton

Symbolism is a literary element in which an author uses a symbol to represent a larger ideas or character. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello, the Clown is used as a symbol for the antagonist, Iago. In his conversation with the Musician, the Clown is used by Shakespeare as a symbol for Iago.

Through his timing and wordplay, Shakespeare is able to symbolize Iago through the Clown. In the previous scene, tensions were high as Cassio had fought Roderigo and was released from Othello’s service. However, in the very next scene, the Clown uses excellent comedic timing to lighten the mood. Whilst talking to the Musician, the Clown says, “Are these, I pray you, wind instruments?” … “O, thereby hangs a tail.” … “Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I / know.”(III.i.7-11). In this dialogue, the Clown uses puns regarding wind instruments to crack a joke regarding flatulence — often resulting in cheap laughs from the audience. Here, Shakespeare uses the Clown and timing in order to create a perfect moment to relieve the audience of the previous scene’s tension. The Clown’s timing is used to symbolize Iago, as Iago always has impeccable timing to aid his quest of defaming Othello. In Act Three, when Iago tells Othello that Desdemona has been cheating on him, Othello asks for definitive proof before he believes Iago. Shortly thereafter, Emilia, Iago’s wife, presents Iago with Desdemona’s handkerchief — which was entrusted to her by Othello. Iago then uses the handkerchief to convince Othello of Desdemona’s affair (this then spirals into a tragedy based on false evidence). The Clown’s excellent comedic timing symbolizes the serendipity and good fortune that timing provides Iago.

Another way in which the Clown symbolizes Iago is through his belittlement and mockery. During his conversation with the Musician, the Clown cannot help but tease the Musician through clever wordplay and puns. In the conversation, in addition to the previous quotes, the Clown says, “Why masters, have your instruments been in / Naples, that they speak i’ th’ nose thus?”(III.i.4-5). Although the quote is difficult to interpret for modern readers, the quote alludes to the fact that syphilis was often contracted in Naples, rotting away noses. With this wordplay, it means that the music being played sounds grotesque. However, this insult goes unnoticed to the Musician making the Clown’s belittlement of the Musician undetected. The Clown’s undetected belittlement represents the various ways in which Iago insults and slanders Othello. Although Iago does not belittle Othello directly to his face, he often does in his asides, or with other characters. On one occasion Iago calls Othello “a Barbary horse” and “an old black ram” (I.i.97,125). By calling Othello these names, he contradicts all that he does while with Othello. By Othello’s side, Iago acts as a servant and loyal friend who is always there to aid Othello. However, Iago is able to mock and trick Othello by giving him false advice in hopes of destroying his reputation and military career (which he successfully does). In a similar position as the Musician, Othello does not know of this deceit and mockery and follows Iago’s advice. The Clown’s mockery of the Musician is a smaller scale version of Iago’s mockery of Othello.

While only written into a very brief scene, the Clown symbolizes Iago’s characteristics and mannerisms. Also, the Clown symbolizes not only Iago’s amazing luck and timing in the play, but also his relationship with Othello. In a way, the scene between the Clown and the Musician foreshadows the entirety of the play. The Clown meets the Musician; the Clown mocks and belittles the Musician; the Clown forces the Musician out of the picture. Through his literary knowledge, Shakespeare is able to represent a major character in the play through one small scene of dialogue.

The death of a hero

March 9, 2016 8:28 pm / 6 Comments on The death of a hero

By Anish Odhav

The renowned writer of the play Othello, William Shakespeare, once wrote, “some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.” Shakespeare personifies the ideas in this quote through his tragic hero Othello. Throughout the tale, Shakespeare describes how a virtuous man married to a beautiful maiden falls prey to doubt and fear, eventually leading to his ultimate downfall. Shakespeare conveys this fall from grace by creating different personas progressively throughout the play for Othello, and this becomes the defining trait that eventually leads to Othello’s downfall.

Othello is a complex and fascinating character who has many facets and complex character traits which seem to change and develop throughout the play. From the beginning of the play, the reader can clearly tell that generally, the people of the public regard Othello very highly as well. Othello is seen as a leader, compatriot and friend to many of the rich and wealthy of Venetian society. Even Brabantio loved Othello before he married Desdemona; Othello describes how, “Her father loved me, oft invited me, / Still question’d me the story of my life, / From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes, / That I have passed.” (I.iii.149-152) when he is talking about Desdemona to the senators. The only person perceived to actually hate Othello is Iago, a person who seems to have problems with anger anyway. Even Roderigo doesn’t actually hate Othello as a person, but rather he hates the idea of Othello being married to Desdemona. In terms of Othello, his emotions and perceptions of people fluctuate far too much throughout the play to make a generalization about his feelings for everyone. At the beginning of the play, Othello seems to be a caring and trusting person. In fact, until Iago plants the seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind, Othello seems to love and care about everyone he interacts with. For example, even when Cassio has stabbed the much loved and cared about Montano, Othello tells him that he still loves him and that it hurts him to strip Cassio of his rank. Othello also places trust in almost everyone he encounters and seems to actually love his wife a lot. However, by the end of the play, Othello totally changes personality. He always seems preoccupied and worried to the other characters in the play, and he constantly treats Desdemona with animosity. Also, he starts to lose his public composure which slowly eats away at his image. For example, when he is greeting Ludovico and Desdemona comes to help, he quickly loses his temper for no apparent reason and slaps her. To onlookers, he looks like a man who has lost his senses and is not fit to be of his status. This change in personality ultimately leads to his downfall as he slowly becomes more and more erratic, eventually making the rash decision to kill both Desdemona and Cassio. Ultimately, in the end, Othello understands how he caused his own fall from grace, and eventually kills himself with the final words, “I took by th’ throat the circumcised dog,/ And smote him thus. he stabs himself” (V,ii,415-416) In his final declaration, Othello calls himself a dog and denigrates himself, symbolizing his understanding of his failure. He also changes his nature for the last time: from an erratic and distrusting man to the loving and proud man he once was; unfortunately, this change of heart came far too late for Othello.

Overall,Othello’s lack of strong character and his constant change of nature leads to his ultimate downfall. All throughout the play he can never seem to settle on a specific character and is in constant flux. Othello’s story is relevant to the reader because it warns against the dangers of a lack of character. His depiction successfully shows how seemingly the best of men can be brought to their knees due to the lack of a solid character. Even if the reader probably will not turn into a murderer because of their lack of personality, the audience can understand how their life can be ruined by this fatal mistake. Ultimately, we see how an erratic and constantly changing persona can lead to the death of a hero, both literally and figuratively.

bibliography for image: Adamczyk, Matthew. “Rogue Ballerina.” Rogue Ballerina. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

FORSTER ENGLISH II