What Contributed To The Downfall Of Othello

Many factors contributed to the downfall of Othello in William Shakespeare’s, Othello, the Moore of Venice. Everyone knew Othello as noble and full of pride, but when the jealously beast took hold of him the image was changed. His weakness’s came out and more then ever. Traits that were thought of as different and extraordinary were now qualities no one wanted. Othello slowly began to self-destruct when his pride was stripped, his insecurities were shown, and he believed his wife was a cheater.
Othello reputation plays a large part in the story. He was seen as a war hero in Venice. This is one of the main reasons Desdemona fell in love with him. He was the commander of the army, and his wife was the daughter of a powerful senator. Othello
At first he did not believe Iago when he said she was having an affair with cassio, asking for proof by saying, “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore, / Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof”(3.3.25-26). Later, Iago stole the handkerchief and made it seem like Desdemona was truly cheating. Othlleo started to have the thought that she might actually have betrayed him with Cassio. This is ultimately when his down fall began. Foster agrees when he says, “Iago plants doubts in Othello’s mind, but his decisive success comes when he gets Othello to demand ocular proof” (Foster 2). The thoughts turned into dreams and sick feelings. Before he knew it, the jealously, hate, and lies had consumed him. Othello hits The point of no return when he says, “Her rot and perish and be damned tonight, / for she shall not live. No, my heart is tuned to stone” (4.1.151-152). Othello had decided the only thing left to do is kill Desdemona. Her murder would soon be the end to the fight he never knew he was
Desdemona’s death had been the final straw for Othello. She had been the only truthful one to Othello. She saw through the dark skin tone and the negative thoughts of others. At this point, his downfall was complete, and Iago had won. Othello had doomed himself without knowing everything Iago had told him was a lie. When Othello finally realizes he has been decived he says, “I do belive it, and I ask your pardon./ will you, I pray, demand that demi devil/ why he hath thus ensnared my soul and body”(5.2.345-347). He decides the only thing left to do is kill himself. After Othello stabs himself he says, “I kiss’d thee ere I kill’d thee: no way but this; / killing myself, to die upon a kiss”(5.2.409-410). Othello knew his future was grim and there was nothing here to live for