Othello's Downfall

How does Shakespeare explore the impact of revenge on human nature?
Shakespeare represents the effects of revenge on human personality that he displays in his play Othello. The impact of revenge is very tragic as the main characters Othello, Desdemona and Emilia die whereas the main perpetrator, Iago, remains alive. Revenge is a very character driven attribute which is proven through the character of Iago and how he is able to manipulate Othello through his actions. Revenge changes Iago as he turns out to be a cunning person that uses Othello’s weakness of jealously against him to destroy him. Revenge has been represented by Shakespeare through the themes of betrayal and jealousy. He explores these themes through two “friends”; Othello and Iago and shows how blindly trusting someone can backfire in a horrific way. Shakespeare tries to convey the message that people should be sceptical of others and not just put their unquestionable belief in other people no matter how well you know them which suggests that the notion of revenge is ultimately corrupting; it turns us into the worst possible version of ourselves.
The theme of betrayal plays an important role in Othello as it represents a bond of “friendship” broken between Iago and Othello. It is important to understand Iago’s character and motives that he conveys in his soliloquies, in order to truly understand why he betrayed Othello. From the start of the text, we learn Cassio has taken the position of lieutenant under Othello’s command, the position that Iago had lusted for, and it is this concept that drives Iago to destroy Othello; "To get his place and to plume up my will in double knavery. How? How? Let's see. After some time, to abuse Othello's ear that he is too familiar with his wife.” The pun on “double knavery” encompasses Iago’s betrayal of Cassio as well as Othello at the same time. This quote shows Iago’s betrayal because it represents the dramatic irony of the phrase “Honest Iago” which is pronounced by Othello many times throughout the play. It expresses Iago’s rage over Othello because he didn’t give him the position of lieutenant. Iago is also perceived as an arrogant, jealous character; “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place” acting out of pure spite and hatred as he “hate(s) the Moor.” This line contrasts with "My Lord you know I love you" which Iago repeats multiple times throughout the course of the play virtually personifying Iago's treachery, evil, and malcontent nature. This contrast in character represents Iago’s duplicitous nature by making sure Othello only hears what he needs to hear and nothing more, solidifying him being betrayed by Iago. This characterisation from the play express Iago’s betrayal of Othello and his true motives of his vengeance which reflect the way Shakespeare represents the impact of revenge on human personality by conveying the message of people not putting their unquestionable trust or belief in others no matter how well you know them.
The concept of jealousy is one that even the villain acknowledges and uses to his advantage. Iago, knowing of the power of jealousy and the insecurities of Othello, proceeds to set multiple traps which chip away at Othello’s noble and honourable character to leave behind a fragile, hateful, jealous and violent entity. As Iago constructs lie after lie for Othello in full knowledge of the effect it has on him; “The Moor already changes with my poison”, he successfully reduces Othello into a suddenly vengeful, and destructive man through the metaphor of the word “poison” which shows Iago’s effect of his lies on Othello, who demonstrates his malicious intentions in the lines “I’ll tear her all to pieces!” emphasises the visual imagery of Othello slaying Desdemona and completing his revenge of her. As Othello’s rage increases, so does his jealousy which adds to Iago’s success of destroying Othello. The quote “I’ll tear her all to pieces!” was said in a very furious tone which represents that Othello has been consumed by the jealousy that Iago has planted in his mind. Furthermore, as Iago’s traps take its effect on Othello, the violent and reckless nature of him come to light; “I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil” and it is this weakness that effectively amplifies the damages dealt by Iago’s traps. Jealousy is seen in this quote because Othello is so devoured by it, that he can’t see straight through Iago’s lies and he can’t see that Iago is using his trustworthy nature against him. This is how Shakespeare represents revenge through the theme of jealousy by relating his message through the quotes and motives of Iago and how Iago uses Othello free and open nature against him.
As authenticated in the paragraphs above, it is a combination of the themes of betrayal and jealousy that share the responsibility of for the success of Iago’s detrimental revenge. Consequently, Shakespeare represents the effects of revenge on human personality by displaying the message that people should be sceptical of others and not just put their unquestionable belief in other people no matter how well you know them.