Othello
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In Acts IV and V of ShakespeareÆs (1997) Othello, we see a steady and quick destruction of Othello. In Act IV, Iago works his evil on Othello, driving him to jealous rage through a series of ploys. In Act V, we see Othello ôLike the base Indian, [throw] a pearl away/Richer than all his tribeö when he kills Desdemona (Shakespeare V.ii.349-350). Act IV and Act V bring to light two main themes of the play. The first is the total evil of Iago and the second is the gullibility of the warrior, Othello, who ôloved not wiselyö (Shakespeare V.ii.346). This analysis will explore these two themes in the final two acts of ShakespeareÆs tragedy, Othello. For the tragedy of Othello is not only that Iago is pure evil but also that Othello is unwise in the ways of human interaction. Othello is a great warrior. He is unparalleled in his feats of battle. However, because he is viewed as an outsider in Venice, a ôblack Moorö, he is already sensitive about his reputation. He has caught the jewel in the Venetian crown, in the lovely, white and pure character of Desdemona. However, Othello is unwise in the ways of love. His professional reputation is without parallel but the glory and honor of this reputation makes him susceptible to jealousy and fear when he thinks Desdemona has cheated on him. As Harold Bloom (1998) maintains, ôTo be cuckolded by his own wife, and with his subordinate Cassio as the other offender, would be a greater, metaphorical death-in-
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llo in the form of his worst fears, ôNaked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm! It is hypocrisy against the devilö (Shakespeare IV.i.6).
Though Iago knows Othello often trusts those he should not because they seem genuine on the surface, he turns this on its head and makes Othello think DesdemonaÆs fidelity is only an appearance. As he tells Othello, ôHer honour is an essence thatÆs not seen;/They have it very oft that have it not:/But for the handkerchiefö (Shakespeare IV.i.17-18). With the introduction of the handkerchief and IagoÆs use of Emilia to help ensnare both Cassio and Othello, Iago finally is able to provide the ôocular proofö desired by Othello. Iago is able to work Othello into a jealous froth by using words and images to torture his mind. The following exchange demonstrates his malicious trickery:
Iago: Faith, that he didùI know not what he did.
Othello: What? What?
Iago: Lieù
Othello: With her?
Iago: With her, on her; what you will.
Othello: Lie with her! Lie on her!ùWe say lie on her, when they belie her.ùLie with her! æZounds, thatÆs fulsome! Handkerchiefùconfessions-handkerchief!
(Shakespeare IV.i.32-36)
Othello is in such a confused, wounded, and jealous state by this point that he is completely fooled by Ia
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1206
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)
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