Othello Essay

Scott Pero
English 10 Honors
February 4, 2009
Describe Iago’s manipulation of Othello and how Othello reacts.
The Root of Jealousy

Human beings are not perfect. We have both good and bad qualities, and the two factions are constantly feuding to reign supreme. Some people see only the favorable characteristics of others, while others may perceive only the unfavorable. Both sides exist; it is merely a matter of strength that determines which traits are the obvious. No matter how much one may want one’s good side to be shown, one may lose control and set the bad side loose. It can be caused by any one of a myriad of stimuli in our natural environment. It is also in our nature to invoke these feelings in others. If someone strikes us as unfair or unjust, we may want to avenge the wrongs we believe were done to us. A way to do this is to exploit the bad and cover up the good in that person’s character. One such literary example is Iago manipulating Othello in the play "Othello". Iago, for an undisclosed reason, is out to ruin Othello’s life, using others to weave a web of lies and deceit that ultimately ends with Othello murdering his wife, Desdemona. Though at first Othello was just, he is tricked by Iago through Iago’s sneaky actions into being torn between jealousy and trust, until he finally gives in to jealousy.

In the beginning of "Othello", Othello himself is a just man. Though black, he has risen to become the general of the Venetian militia. He has even been wed to the fairest maiden in all of Venice, the pure Desdemona. His moral stature is shown when he address the Venetian senators as pertaining to whether Desdemona will stay in Venice while Othello leaves: "I therefore beg it/ to please the palate of my appetite…but to be free and bounteous to her mind; / and heaven defend your good souls that you think/ I will your serious and great business scant when she is with me" (Shakespeare 1.3.256-263). Othello here is a very moral and dutiful man, vowing that he will not shirk his duties if Desdemona is allowed to come with him to Cyprus. His faithful and benevolent demeanor is tempted when vengeful Iago machinates his plan.

Due to an unknown motive, Iago is out to punish Othello. He goes about doing this by using Othello’s own lieutenant in the process. One possible motive for Iago would be jealousy of Cassio. Instead of choosing Iago as his lieutenant, Othello chose Cassio. This motive can explain why he slanders both Cassio and Othello. Cassio is a courteous young man whom women love. Iago uses this to his advantage by hinting to Othello that Cassio is cheating with Desdemona: "Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it/ that he would steal away so guilty-like, / seeing your coming" (3.2.38-39). Why would Cassio be fleeing if he wasn’t guilty of something? This is the ploy Iago use to rouse Othello’s doubt. Many of Iago’s actions are indirect like this one. He acts as a puppeteer, pulling string by string until he gets what he wants, while not participating in anything himself. Othello soon doubts whether Desdemona is true or not based on Iago’s word.

Othello thinks Iago to be honest. Why would an honest person say someone was unfaithful if they were not? The mere notion, however, makes Othello sweat. What if his wife really is cheating on him? Staying true to the sane, just individual Othello is first portrayed as, he speaks to Iago about the matter: "What sense had I of her stol’n hours of lust? / I saw’t not, thought it not, it harmed not me…He that is robbed, not wanting what is stol’n,/ let him not know’t, and he’s not robbed at all" (3.2.335-340). Here, Othello is telling Iago that if Iago had not told him of Desdemona’s adultery, he would not be harmed like he is now. Othello truly loves Desdemona. If nothing had been said, he would have gone on loving blissfully and not had his mind weighed down by such notions. Othello still does not believe Desdemona would commit such an act, but more of Iago’s tricks ensure his hesitance.

Iago, seeing his plan is already working when Iago goes into epilepsy, decides to use Cassio in a most devious manner: "Now I will question Cassio of Bianca…He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain/ from the excess of laughter…and he shall smile, Othello shall go mad" (4.1.95-103). Iago is really talking to Cassio about Bianca, a strumpet Cassio had recently been having relations with, but he makes it seem as though, to Othello, they were speaking of Desdemona. Cassio speaks of Bianca as a whore and nothing of importance to him. Since Cassio never actually uses Bianca’s name, Othello is led to believe he is talking about Desdemona. This sly illusion causes Othello to slip into jealousy’s grip.

There is no doubt that Othello now suspects Desdemona of adultery. He is torn between loving his wife and letting jealousy take him over. The ‘proof’ Iago gives Othello is undeniable; thusly, Othello believes him. Although, some part of him aches in spite of his jealousy: "Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned/ tonight; for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned/ to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the/ world hath not a sweeter creature!" (4.1.183-187). He feels the jealousy coursing through him, but he still knows he loves Desdemona. This is the turning point from the old, moral Othello to the new, enraged Othello, as his jealousy gives way to murderous results.

Othello planned with Iago about how to kill both Cassio and Desdemona. Othello suggested poison to kill Desdemona, but Iago offered the option of strangling her in her bed, the same bed she cheated in, possibly leaving evidence that it was Othello who did it. Othello’s soliloquy before murdering Desdemona offers a new glimpse into how exactly jealousy consumed him: "Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men. / Put out the light, and then put out the light…but once put out thy light…I know not where is that Promethean heat/ that can thy light relume" (5.2.6-13). Here, Othello is about to murder his own wife, but something is causing him to hesitate. He speaks of dousing one light, and then dousing another; that second light is Desdemona’s soul. After he douses his own candle, he’ll kill her, but if he kills her, how can he ever bring her back? There is still some small bit of care for Desdemona left in Othello, and it is fighting to break free of Iago’s deceit. Othello is thinking about his next actions and realizing that he still loves her and may miss her when she is gone. Nevertheless, he gives in to anger and Iago’s lies and smothers Desdemona, who in turn dies saying she committed suicide to keep Othello from persecution. Realizing what he had done, and to whom he did it, Othello returns to how he was in the beginning of the book, seeing the error of his ways.

What Iago did was cruel. He was responsible for the murder of four people, one of which was his own wife. By reviewing his manipulation of Othello and his other actions throughout the book, we can understand how Iago is considered the most evil of all Shakespearean villains, surpassing the likes of such literary caitiffs as Professor James Moriarty or the Wicked Witch of the West. His understanding of human emotions and the ability to bend them to his will is what sets him apart from the rest. Our emotions are delicate, and we must always be wary of the struggle between those that are good and those that are bad. There are times when both qualities wish to surface, to be unleashed into the world, but we must learn to control them. Without control, it can lead us to unimaginable ends. Without integrity, others can use us as we please. Without order, we are subject to chaos.

Othello Quote Significance 5.1-3 (End of Book)-1/14

"Put out the light, and then put out the light./ If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,/ I can again thy former light restore,/ should I repent me; but once put out thy light,/ thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,/ I know not where is that Promethean heat/ that can the light relume..." (Othello, 5.2.7-13)

This quote stuck out to me because of its use of "light". Shakespeare uses it as both light as we think of it, as a litteral light, a burning flame, but also as a metaphor for the soul. When Othello says "Put out the light, and then put out the light" (5.2.7), he's saying douse the flame and end Desdemona's life, metaphorically snuffing out her flame. He goes back and forth between these meanings, but I believe he's basically saying, "Put out the light then kill I'l kill you. If I kill you, I can relight the flame, but once I kill you, you and your cunning ways, I cannot bring you back." The Promethan heat that Shakespeare speak of refers to the tale of the Titan Prometheus, who stole fire and gave it to man, since man had none. This may be a symbol of life, so Othello's saying he doesn't know how to bring her back. This reveals that even though Othello's about to kill his wife, he still loves her enough to worry about what will happen after she's gone, and if he ever wanted to, how to bring her back.

I thought the ending was good, very exciting. The whole time I pictured Iago being the only calm one in the room, sorta-no-EXACTLY like those guys on Scooby Doo. I can totally picture Iago saying, "I woulda gotten away with it too, if it weren't fer you meddlin' Moor, and my dumb wife!"

Fie-(Interjection) 1. used to express mild disgust, disapprobation, annoyance, etc. 2. used to express the humorous pretense of being shocked(5.1.121)

Coxcomb-(noun) 1. a conceited, foolish dandy; pretentious fop 2. [Archaic] head; pate (5.2.230)

Othello Quote Significance 4.2,4.3-1/13

"I will be hanged if some eternal villian,/ Some busy and insinuating rogue,/ some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,/ have not devised this slander. I will be hanged else" (Emilia, 4.2.129-132)

This part made me laugh. Maybe it's just me, though, but I can totally see this happening in a cartoon or Comedy movie. Emilia basically doesn't know what Iago is doing to Othello, Desdemona, Roderigo, and Cassio. she just knows that someone caused Othello to act this way. So, in her anger, she curses him, calls him names, wishes he be punished in hell, everything bad ten times over. Meanwhile, the person to blame is in fact two feet away from her, and her husband. It's kinda funny, Dramatic Irony, which is what this quote is an example of. The whole scetion in which she does this is hilarious, because I can picture Iago standing there, scowling, brows creased in anger at his wife, with his one line answers to her paragraph-long rebukes. Whoever said Shakespeare's not funny must be shot...survivors shot again.

Durst-(Verb) Archaic form of Dare (4.2.12)
Cozen(word used in text, cozening)- (Verb[tr.]) 1. To mislead by means of petty trick or fraud; deceive 2. To persuade or induce to do something by cajoling or wheedling 3. To obtain by deceit or persuasion (Verb[intr.]) To act deceitfully

Othello Quote Significance 4.1-1/12

"Ay, let her rot, snd perish, and be damned/ tonight; for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned/ to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand. O, the/ world hath not a sweeter creature! She might like by/ an emperor's side and command him tasks." (Othello, 4.1.183-187)

Here, I think, is the turning point for Othello. This is pretty much one of the final parts where he's debating to love or hate Desdemona. The first sentence says he knows she'll die, by the second part is like he's sad because of it. It feels likes he's viewing the situation and feeling his emotions from a third party perspective. He isn't feeling the anger and jealousy that is no doubt coursing through him, but he's sad that's it come to that. I can't explain it very well, but sort of like an out of body experience: He's viewing it all happening with a sane mind and commenting on it. And I think the last sentence means she is good enough for an emperor, if you go along with the whole "Captain's captain/General's General" theme. Othello is thinking, "She could have anyone she wants, there's no one sweeter, and here I am hating her." It's like an intelligent and sane interpretation of his heinous actions done by himself.

Sup-(Verb)[used without object] 1. to eat the evening meal; have supper. [used with object] 2. to provide with or entertain at supper (4.1.165)
Belie-(Verb[used with object]) 1. to show to be false; contradict 2. to misrepresent 3. to act unworthily according to the standards of (a tradition, one's ancestry, one's faith, etc.) 4.[Archaic] to lie about; slander (4.1.37)

Othello Quote Significance 3.4-1/8

"Who? He? I think the sun where he was born/ Drew all such humors from him." (Desdemona, 3.4.30-31)

This quote is significant because it relates back to the theme of racism in Othello. We already know that Desdemona is a very virtuous individual, and this proves it even further. Earlier in the book, Mr. George explained this society's feelings toward Blacks. They believed the darker you were, the lower you were, due to the increased exposure to the sun. The lower on the social ladder would be exposed to sun because they worked outside all day. Here, Desdemona uses that fact to show both her love for Othello and her feelings to race. Because he was born where he was(closer to the equator, more sun), he was darker, and he doesn't have any bad qualities in his character such as jealousy and the like. The "sun" removed them from him. This may also suggest in contrast that she thinks whites actually are worse in these areas than blacks, possibly delving more into her as a character.

Castigate(word used in text-Castigation)-(Verb, used with object) 1. to criticize or reprimand severely 2. to punish in order to correct
Arraign(word used in text-Arraigning)-(Verb, used with object) 1. [Law] To call (an accused person) before a court to answer the charge made against him or her by indictment, information, or complaint 2. To call to account; accuse

Othello Quote Significance-3.3-1/8

"What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust?/ I saw't not, thought it not, it harmed not me;/ I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and merry;/ I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips./ He that is robbed, not wanting what is stol'n,/ let him not know't, and he's not robbed at all." (Othello, 3.3.335-340)

I believe this quote is significant because it is an example of Othello's character and has to do with jealousy, a central theme. He's saying if Iago hadn't disrupted his thoughts and planted the seed that Desdemona were cheating on him, he wouldn't be so worried. Othello thinks Desdemona is actually cheating thanks to Iago, even though she's not. To Othello, though, he just doesn't want to know. If he wasn't told, he'd still be perfectly fine, but now that doubt is in his head, he can't get it out. This shows that Othello only really cares for Desdemona. Yes, he doesn't like her cheating on him, but if he never knew, he wouldn't mind. Also, it's a key point in jealousy. you really never become jealous unless you know someone has something you want or is doing something you dislike. If you never knew, you wouldn't have been jealous in the first place. So, if Iago hadn't said anything, Othello wouldn't have gotten jealous, hence no jealousy in a book meant about jealousy, hence no more good plot or storyline, hence no more book! this quote is more important than first thought...o.0

Definitions:

Avaunt-(Adv.)[archaic] away; hence (3.3.332)
Ruminate-(Verb[without object]) 1. to chew the cud, as a ruminant. 2. To meditate or muse; ponder. (Verb[with object]) 3. To chew again or over and over. 4. to meditate on; ponder.

Othello Quote Significance 2.3-1/7

"Come, Desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life/To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife." (Othello, 2.3.256-257)

This quote is significant because it refers back to the theme of "Our Captain's Captain", or Desdemona being the captain of Othello. I suppose this can be looked at in numerous ways, but I think it's basically Othello saying how much he's devoted to Desdemona, perhaps. Basically, he's saying a Soldier is supposed to have their sleep disrupted by trouble--just like what happened to him. He's calling himself a soldier, while he's in fact a general(Yes, a general is a type of soldier, but then why didn't he just say general?). In other words, almost making himself lower, kind of saying he is Desdemona's soldier, while she is his captain. Plus, it rhymes.

Definitions:

Fain-(Adv.) gladly; willingly; He would fain accept. (2.3.29)
Wight-(Noun) 1. a human being 2.[obsolete] a. a supernatural being, as a witch or sprite. b. any living being; a creature. (2.3.90)