Othello
The persona of Othello in Shakespeare's tragic play Othello is the embodiment of a number of character traits from other characters within the work. Shakespeare's cunning use of personal motivations and individuality allowed the playwright to create a complex personality for each character culminating in varying degrees in Othello himself.As Othello's ensign, Iago is the main protagonist to his superior. Iago has a deep-seated resentment towards Othello stemming originally from Othello's choice of Cassio as his lieutenant. In choosing Cassio, Othello passes over Iago creating a schism in Iago's loyalty to Othello. This may not have been the first embarrassment for Iago. In the first scene we encounter an exchange between Iago and Rodgerio. Rodgerio is in love with Desdemona and has given money to Iago to broker a relationship between them. Rodgerio discovers that Othello has eloped with his love and Iago has no knowledge of the marriage. This in itself allows the reader to perceive Othello's lack of confidence in his ensign, a fact that grates on Iago enough to make him proclaim his hatred for Othello in a later soliloquy.Iago has a reputation for honesty and loyalty but he uses it for dishonest purposes. He holds himself
He is a man of pride in his accomplishments, though his use of extreme comparisons and elevated language reveals a mindset in which all things are either black or white. By giving money to Iago, Rodgerio believes that he can win the fair Desdemona's love through Iago's connections. Othello converted to Christianity but still holds onto the Pagan beliefs that he was born with. Othello's tragic flaw is his passion, which allows his jealousy to replace wisdom and judgment with anger and hate. By Othello's actions Iago feels forced to rationalize his malice towards his leader by creating circumstances that are obviously false but that serve his means. All five main characters, Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Cassio and Rodgerio fall prey to the passions that underlie their lives. Throughout the body of the play in which Iago hatches his schemes, he uses Desdemona's sexuality against her, oft stating that she would be an excellent lover and inciting jealousies amongst his pawns. He uses this knowledge to choose his battles carefully. His faith in his subordinates and his love of Desdemona allows no room for any other actions than what he expects of them. In Othello's greatest strengths lie his greatest weaknesses. This moment plants the seed of doubt in Othello. Iago however, lusts after only the power that Othello possesses. Iago's thirst for power is embodied in Othello's obvious ability to wield his authority with skill. He believes that magic is brewing everywhere he turns, which often clouds his vision of the truth of the circumstances most close to him.
Common topics in this essay:
Iago Othello,
Truly Desdemona's,
Rodgerio Rodgerio,
Soldiers Othello,
Cassio Rodgerio,
Unfortunately Othello's,
Iago Iago's,
Despite Othello's,
Othello Othello's,
Desdemona Othello's,
love desdemona,
money iago,
varying shades grey,
othello iago,
othello othello's,
varying shades,
shades grey,
ignites passion,
iago rodgerio,
affair desdemona,
desdemona overshadowed,
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Acceptance Essays
