Othello

After reading Shakespeare’s play OTHELLO you have to ask yourself is Othello as much a victim as he is a murderer? An assumption may be that because Othello kills his wife after the devious behavior of Iago, then maybe Othello is a victim of Iago’s evil. Some may argue that the sin of Iago to plot the down fall of the moor, is worse because it becomes a calculating mind compared to Othello’s sin because he has become a pawn in Iago’s hands. However, it is noticed that Othello allows himself to be manipulated. Iago’s suggestion of the infidelity of Desdemona, Othello’s wife, provides just the excuse Othello needs to justify the destruction of the wife he believes can not truly love him. Desdemona’s murder is a result of Othello’s pride and quick judgment, as a result, he must be held accountable.

Othello, unlike Iago, is capable of forming strong, loving relationships. His genuine friendship with Iago confirms this fact. Othello allows himself to be influenced by Iago, and allows Iago to bring out his most evil characteristics. Although Iago may be the more evil of the two, Othello does little to prevent his instincts from becoming dominant. To see why Othello commits his crime and why he has to be held accountable for it, we must examine his motive. It can be claimed that what actually causes Othello to commit murder is not his being mentally weakened and manipulated by Iago, but rather his own pride and lack of confidence which he allows to gain control. Othello is a strong leader, but he is insecure with his personal qualities. He is in a new city with different customs. He has a new bride, a young and beautiful girl, who he loves but does not know well. The Moor surely is aware of the widespread prejudice in Venice and certainly has to question why Desdemona would go against her culture by marrying a black man. Othello has his doubts about Desdemona before Iago begins his scheming. Even though his wife shows nothing but love for him, Othello cannot believe in her love wholeheartedly.

“Tis not to make me jealous to say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company…Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt, for she had eyes and chose me” (Act III, Scene III, 198) Othello is going to conclude that Desdemona's compassion and virtue alone enable her to love him. When Iago does shatter the Moor's idealistic image of Desdemona, he is simply reinforcing what Othello believes deep down to be totally possible: that Desdemona could love another man. Iago is on hand to confirm Othello's suspicions. Iago tells Othello that he sees Cassio wipe his beard with Desdemona’s handkerchief, knowing that he is trying to set Othello up. “If it be that, or any that was hers, it speaks against her with the other proofs” (Act III, Scene III, 455). Iago tries to convince Othello that there is a lot of proof his wife is unfaithful. Why is it that Othello does not question his wife’s treachery and Iago’s accusations? It is because he always had a thought in the back of his mind that his wife was untrustworthy. So when Iago presented the evidence it was proof enough and there was no questions asked. When Othello’s mind is set on Desdemona cheating he too develops a calculating mind. He decides he want to make her pay for her actions. Othello claims that he is not seeking revenge.