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Martin 1
Leighton Martin
Ms. Heard
British Literature
17, March 2014
Othello Character Analysis

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, there are so many lessons that can be learned. He is a noble, smart and strong character, but taken advantage of. Is it his extremely nice ways? Or is it just his lack of insight brought on by the cunning character Iago? Othello’s pride prevents him from finding the truth, eventually leading to his self-destruction. Initially, Othello and Desdemona are deeply in love, despite her father’s disapproval of their marriage. However, when Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago to lieutenant, Iago starts to plot revenge by convincing Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful with his “right hand man” Cassio. By doing this Iago destroys Othello’s marriage and leads him to his tragic downfall of killing his wife followed by himself. Overall Shakespeare’s Othello is an outstanding example of a well-crafted tragedy. Othello being a general in the Venetian army shows the nobility of his character. You would also believe that that would show Othello is a person of who believes in strategic ideas. But, with Desdemona that is not the case. It seems as though love and loyalty went out the window before the first piece of facts could even be presented. “O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains!” –Cassio (Act 2, Scene 3) At this point of the play Cassio knew nothing of Iago’s plot against him involving Roderigo; more less of Iago’s plot against Othello, but yet, his drunken words fit so perfectly to explain the downfall of Othello and Roderigo. Othello made the mistake of speaking his evil fears about his wife to his enemy Iago. Roderigo made the mistake of speaking his evil desires of money to Iago. So what makes a good villain? Is it there “craftiness”, the seniority of their character or just their creativity? Maybe all the above. So what makes a good hero? Is it there “craftiness”, the seniority of their character or just their creativity? Once again, maybe all of the above. There a thin line between a hero and a villain. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him. We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly follow’d.” –Iago (Act 1 scene 1) Iago was telling Roderigo that was going to befriend Othello. So the only advantage Othello allowed Iago to have was the knowledge he gained by being this “friend”. That’s goes to show no one can be trusted. Martin 2 “The robb’d that smiles steals something from the thief: He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.” (Act 1 scene 3). By Othello killing his wife he robbed himself. By killing himself he robbed himself of everything he ever had. Which shows the weakness of this character. Being human Othello is entitled to weaknesses. Such as his weakness to Iago. (In Act 1 Scene 30 Roderigo said “It is silliness to live, when to live is torment, and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.” Othello made his own torment. Along with his own prescription. While all the while Iago was his physician. Othello said (Act 2 scene 3) “ His unkindness may defeat my life, but never taint my love.” This is a very true, yet also a very false statement said by Othello. Simply because, Othello’s love was well indeed tainted before the death of Desdemona, but purer than ever before his death. (Act 3 scene 3) Othello said “Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul but I do love thee! And when I love thee not, chaos is come again.” Eternal punishment catches Othello’s soul, but claims there is still love there for Desdemona. That just goes to show lies have been told since the beginning of time itself. For thousands of years friendship and jealousy have went hand and hand. Mainly because the hearts of men are naturally jealous, and find it overly necessary to be dominate. So when Iago (in Act 3 Scene 3) said, “O beware, my lord, or jealousy! It is the green-ey’d monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss. Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, o, what damned minutes tells he o’er who dotes yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!’’, He was simply talking about himself but manipulated his words to seem as though he was not to be in question. Othello should of listened to his wife word over his so called “friends” word. That was not done because Othello trusted his fellow soldier instead. Desdemona is a naturally sweet and loving person. So when Cassio was extremely drunk, and Roderigo provokes him to a violent quarrel, and ultimately is dismissed from his service as lieutenant Desdemona is understandably sympathetic to his situation. This is something both Othello and Iago know. It seems as though Iago had even a better understanding of that, than Cassio. Which is why he encouraged Cassio to speak to Desdemona on his own behalf. “Our general’s wife is the general;- I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark and denotement of her parts and graces;- confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again.” To Cassio this was great advice. To Othello, in the beginning this was fine until Desdemona’s first gift from Othello went missing. It was a magical handkerchief handed down to Othello.

Throughout the play Iago shows the enjoyment he gets from the pain he inflicts on others, and will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Crazy to say this excites the audience, luring them to fein for what’s next. Sadly that is the tragic murder of Desdemona and suicide of Othello. It seemed throughout the book Othello was confused about how he really felt about his wife, Desdemona. It’s sad to say that person you once loved, and shared a kissed; because of you
Martin 3 will be truly missed. Othello said this himself (In Act 5 scene 2) “ I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this. Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.”