Theme Of Imagery Of War In Othello

Throughout Othello, imagery of war is used to build character. While talking to Othello’s father-in-law Brabantio, Iago has this to say about the General, “Though I do hate him as I do hell's pains
/ Yet for necessity of present life, 
/ I must show out a flag and sign of love, / Which is indeed but sign.” (I.i.152-155). He’ll “show out a flag”—like waving a peace sign—as a sign of his loyalty, despite actually intending to harm Othello. This illustrates early on in the play Iago’s two-faced personality and mastery of psychological warfare. Iago reveals the reason behind his hatred for Othello when telling the story of how he was passed over for promotion to lieutenant, saying that three influential men approached Othello on his behalf, "But
he, as loving his own pride and purposes, / Evades them, with a bombast circumstance / Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war" (1.1.12-14). Iago accuses Othello of giving the job to Michael Cassio because of political reasons, giving the reader some understanding of what will drive this conflict between the three.
Montano, the Governor of Cyprus, has nothing but praise for Othello, saying that he “commands / Like a full soldier” (II.i.35-36); this is intended to illustrate Othello’s robust character and leadership skills. Even Iago can attest to this, as he is very surprised when Othello gets angry at his wife, “Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon, 
/ When it hath blown his ranks into the air, / And, like the devil, from his very arm / Puff'd his own brother: -- and is he angry?” (III.iv.134-137). The fact that Othello has lost his cool is a testament to Iago’s character--his mastery of psychological warfare and conniving
plan. After Cassio gets into a street brawl, Othello is called upon to intervene.
He comments to his wife, “‘tis the soldier’s life / to have their balmy slumbers waked with strife” (II.iii.220-221). He keeps a cool head and recognizes that these interruptions are par for the course in a position of such power, reaffirming his strong character. Earlier, Othello says about going to war in Cyprus, “I find in hardness, and do undertake / These present wars against the Ottomites / Most humbly therefore bending to your state / I crave fit disposition for my wife” (I.iii.23-46). This presents a contrast in Othello’s character—without hesitation; he puts aside his new bride to go to war. On the other hand, he goes out of his way to make sure his wife is taken care of while he’s away—he’s torn between military heroism and love. In a soliloquy near the climax of the play, Othello says that even if Desdemona were cheating on him with the dirtiest of men, he would have been happy so long as he hadn't known, but now that he supposedly knows, he can no longer be a soldier. He cries out, “Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!
/ Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars… / The royal banner, and all quality, / Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!”
(III.iii.354-457). This reveals how Othello feels about his wife—if Desdemona doesn't love him, he’s nothing—and makes it easier for the audience to sympathize with him. After Othello kills Desdemona in a jealous rage, he confronts her uncle, Gratiano, blocking his escape. He tells Gratiano “Behold, I have a weapon; /
A better never did itself sustain /
Upon a soldier's thigh… / Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon’d" (V.ii.259-261, 266). At this point, Othello has given up the idea of using his military abilities to solve problems; this also allows the play to progress to Othello’s suicide rather than an escape. Before taking his life, Othello comments, “a malignant and a turban'd Turk / Beat a Venetian and traduced the state, / I took by the throat the circumcised dog, / And smote him, thus” (V.ii.353-356). The readers gains an insight into Othello’s mind; he seems to think of his murder of Desdemona as a crime against the Venetian state, as he compares himself to a "turban'd Turk" by killing himself by the same sword he killed Venice’s enemies with.