Othello Essay

A successful drama involves an audience both emotionally and intellectually
How has Shakespeare fulfilled these criteria in the play you have studied?
Shakespeares Othello captures the demise of a radiant, respected solder to a rampant
monster consumed by deadly passion. Othellos rapid moral collapse which stems from his
jealously darned from his pride in his reputation, the discrepancy between appearances and
reality and his lack of perception serve as a striking reflection of the flaws of human nature to
engage an audience emotionally and intellectually. His fervent jealousy which possesses him
ultimately produces the successful tragedy of Othello.
DISCREPANCY BETWEEN APPEARANCES AND REALITY

Shakespeare explores the discrepancy between appearances and reality to be pivotal in
inducing Othellos downfall. Iagos cunning and deceit, which is hidden behind a faade of
good nature is apparent from the very beginning of the play where by Iago admits I am not
what I am characterising Iago as two faced. Iagos soliloquy; Ill put the moor in a jealousy
so strong /that judgement cannot cure reveals his malicious nature which he is able to
conceal by deceit. Dramatic irony as Iago is dubbed honest Iago serves to remind the
audience of the outwardly cordial appearance that causes Othello to be so trusting of Iago,
who upon seeing Desdemona conversing closely with Cassio proclaims to Othello, Ha!, I like
that not, Thus planting the seeds of doubt in Othellos mind, launching him down the path to
ruin. This is supported by Christopher Russel Reaske How to analyse-Drama who describes
the ease with which Othello is deceived by outward appearances. Othellos repetition of He
had my handkerchief!... Handkerchief!... Handkerchief! embodies his frenzied state of fury
and jealousy, leading to the murder of his wife Desdemona and ultimately his ruin. Thus it is
evident that a discrepancy between appearance and reality which compels Othellos jealousy
and his eventual downfall.
OTHELLS PRIDE/REPUTATION
Othellos deep fixation with his reputation and self-image acts as the catalyst for his plunge
into jealousy and his ultimate downfall. His pride throughout the play is manipulated by Iago
who instils self-doubt and insecurity within him, this leads to his eventual ruin. Othello is
characterised as possessing an inflated self-perception and pride as a soldier in My services
which I have done the signiory/From men of royal siege , where he boasts about his royal
background and the serviced he had done for the Venetian government. Once Iago had
caused Othello to doubt Desdemonas infidelity, Othello professes Farewell the plumd
troops and the big wars/Farewell! Othellos occupations gone., Here Othello bids farewell to
his reputation and thus the respect of his peers. This is supported by Phillip Weller, who wrote
(Othello)struggles to maintain his self-esteem. Othello then becomes fixated on seeking
revenge to restore his lost pride and reputation as evident when Othello compares his
thoughts of revenge as like to the Pontiac Sea/whose current and compulsive course/Ne'er
keeps retiring ebb but keeps due on. Thus begins his journey to ruin, where in his final
monologue he asks those around him to Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate/ Nor set
down aught in malice indicating his desire to be remembered as a proud loyal soldier upon
his death. Hence it is Othellos great pride and jealousy that induces his moral downfall.
OTHELLOS LACK OF SELF AWARENESS

Shakespeare explores how a lack of self-awareness means that one can fail to see or
acknowledge their own flaws and weaknesses, leading to their own self destruction. Through
Iagos scheming, Othellos lack of self-awareness becomes evident as he refuses to
acknowledge his fatal flaw, jealousy as revealed by the personification It is the greed eyed
monster which doth much/The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss, blinded by
jealousy, he then goes on to delude himself into believing the murder of Desdemona was an
act of justice, stating Yet she must die, or else shell betray more men. Othellos
objectification of Desdemona, in his metaphor, as a smooth white piece of sculpture
demonstrates his poor understanding of their relationship built on pure and mutual love. This
is evident in his proclamation that a horned mans a monster and a beast employing a motif
of monstrosity as his jealousy, only seeing his injured dignity in losing Desdemona. Hence,
Othellos tragic moral regression evokes a sustained emotional response from the audience
through his tragic lack of perception which compounds his jealousy.
Shakespeares play Othello asserts the ability of unchecked jealousy, to drive an individuals
emotional instability and dictate ones behaviour in a captivating drama which demands an
emotional and intellectual response from its audience. Othellos pride in his reputation, the
discrepancy between appearance and reality and his lack of perception which fuels his
jealousy resonates strongly with human nature to produce a play that is universally engaging
as this jealousy erodes Othellos reputable character to cause his tragic collapse.

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A successful drama involves an audience both emotionally and intellectually

DISCREPANCY BETWEEN APPEARANCES AND REALITY

OTHELLOS LACK OF SELF AWARENESS

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