Othello-Whose Fault Is It?
“Whose fault is it?” Whose fault was it then? (Pause) Othello, the heroic Moore, yet he was way too jealous and over-trusting. Was it Desdemona? Sweet Desdemona of intelligence and innocence but also a deceiving and naïve woman who cannot adjust to the role of a 17th century woman. Or was it Iago; Malicious and sneaky Iago?
We can go on about whose fault it is but I think it was both equally Othello and Desdemona’s fault. Together as a couple they lacked the understanding of marriage. They weren’t both cut out for this type of commitment; they had hidden their relationship and rushed into marriage secretly. It says in Bradley “but he was merely married in the circumstances he cannot have known much of Desdemona before his marriage” (p192) Shakespeare quote “why did I ever get married...” said by Othello. He is thinking to himself why did he wed Desdemona? This is after he has been doubting his wife I agree with Bradley’s statement because Othello hardly knows Desdemona and of course he will probably doubt her. His biggest weakness is over-trusting and he trusted Desdemona greatly. However just a single disappointment to Othello or a thought of her betraying him, grows like plague in his head and poisons his mind. So when Iago begins to plant the seeds of doubt into Othello's mind, has Othello any cause to doubt him? Yes, but he does not! Desdemona is his wife, the woman that he supposedly loves with all his heart. Yet, how quickly he is persuaded to doubt, and how he criticizes her. "Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damn'd tonight, for she shall not live. No, me heart is turn'd to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand…I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!" (act1 scene1 page67). But Othello never thinks to question Iago. Why should he? Iago is an honest man. Iago is wise. Iago is only trying to help. So Othello doesn't even stop to think that maybe he should talk this over with Desdemona before he launches himself into chaos. Othello puts more trust
We can go on about whose fault it is but I think it was both equally Othello and Desdemona’s fault. Together as a couple they lacked the understanding of marriage. They weren’t both cut out for this type of commitment; they had hidden their relationship and rushed into marriage secretly. It says in Bradley “but he was merely married in the circumstances he cannot have known much of Desdemona before his marriage” (p192) Shakespeare quote “why did I ever get married...” said by Othello. He is thinking to himself why did he wed Desdemona? This is after he has been doubting his wife I agree with Bradley’s statement because Othello hardly knows Desdemona and of course he will probably doubt her. His biggest weakness is over-trusting and he trusted Desdemona greatly. However just a single disappointment to Othello or a thought of her betraying him, grows like plague in his head and poisons his mind. So when Iago begins to plant the seeds of doubt into Othello's mind, has Othello any cause to doubt him? Yes, but he does not! Desdemona is his wife, the woman that he supposedly loves with all his heart. Yet, how quickly he is persuaded to doubt, and how he criticizes her. "Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damn'd tonight, for she shall not live. No, me heart is turn'd to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand…I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!" (act1 scene1 page67). But Othello never thinks to question Iago. Why should he? Iago is an honest man. Iago is wise. Iago is only trying to help. So Othello doesn't even stop to think that maybe he should talk this over with Desdemona before he launches himself into chaos. Othello puts more trust