What Is The Marxist Perspective On Othello
Othello is a play written by Shakespeare that features a top ranking military official, Othello. The main focus of the play is the love between Othello and Desdemona and how it became poisoned by a man named Iago. The Marxist perspective best impacted my understanding of Othello because of how the main plot was heavily subjected to Iago’s lust for power and wealth. Iago took advantage of people to propel his agenda. An example of this was when he used Roderigo’s emotions toward Desdemona to his advantage. Iago instructed Roderigo to “put money in thy purse” (Oth.1.3.287-290). He claimed that Desdemona would soon fall out of love with Othello if Roderigo did this by telling Roderigo that “It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor” (Oth.1.3.290-291). Roderigo wasn’t aware that Iago was pocketing his gifts intended for Desdemona.
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In the next situation, Iago plants a metaphorical seed in Othello’s head.
He tries to make him think that his wife is sleeping with Cassio. When he was conversing with Othello, he makes a subtle remark explaining that “She did deceive her father, marrying you, and when she seemed to shake and fear your looks, she loved them most” (Oth.3.3.209-211). Iago’s metaphorical seed eventually sprouted in Othello’s head. He became convinced that Desdemona must be cheating on him and that “Even then this forked plague is fated to us” (Oth.3.3.280-281). At this point, Iago was feeling that his plan was succeeding. He made Othello feel that his love is being untrue to
him. Finally, Iago sees that he has two more enemies. He tells Roderigo to kill Cassio and as they’re battling, he swoops in and kills Roderigo and subsequently alters the crime scene to make himself look like a victim. He gave the order to eliminate Cassio because “He hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor may unfold me to him.” (Oth.5.1.20-22). He also wanted Roderigo dead to prevent him from calling a “restitution large of gold and jewels that [I] bobbed from him” (Oth.5.1.16-18). All of these incidents involve Iago and the Marxist critical perspective by the textual establishment of his lust for power and wealth. The characters of the play are subject to Iago’s desires and manipulation. Therefore, the critical perspective that best helps the reader understand Othello is the Marxist perspective (the desire of wealth and or power).
In the next situation, Iago plants a metaphorical seed in Othello’s head.
He tries to make him think that his wife is sleeping with Cassio. When he was conversing with Othello, he makes a subtle remark explaining that “She did deceive her father, marrying you, and when she seemed to shake and fear your looks, she loved them most” (Oth.3.3.209-211). Iago’s metaphorical seed eventually sprouted in Othello’s head. He became convinced that Desdemona must be cheating on him and that “Even then this forked plague is fated to us” (Oth.3.3.280-281). At this point, Iago was feeling that his plan was succeeding. He made Othello feel that his love is being untrue to
him. Finally, Iago sees that he has two more enemies. He tells Roderigo to kill Cassio and as they’re battling, he swoops in and kills Roderigo and subsequently alters the crime scene to make himself look like a victim. He gave the order to eliminate Cassio because “He hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly. And besides, the Moor may unfold me to him.” (Oth.5.1.20-22). He also wanted Roderigo dead to prevent him from calling a “restitution large of gold and jewels that [I] bobbed from him” (Oth.5.1.16-18). All of these incidents involve Iago and the Marxist critical perspective by the textual establishment of his lust for power and wealth. The characters of the play are subject to Iago’s desires and manipulation. Therefore, the critical perspective that best helps the reader understand Othello is the Marxist perspective (the desire of wealth and or power).