Othello

Widely regarded as one of the most romantic and mythical figures in all of Shakespeare’s plays, Othello, the Moor of Venice tells the tragic story of a noble hero that is undone by his own fatal flaw. Othello has a blinding trust in those closest to him, and he leads with his heart, not his mind. This fatal flaw is exploited by a supposedly loyal friend and Othello’s trusting nature and inability to separate what is in his heart and what is in his mind dramatically results in tragedy for The Moor of Venice. With a running theme of perception versus reality, Othello’s refusal to accept the difference between them prompts the tragic ending.

Set in Venice, Italy, one of the most romantic cities in the world, the play begins with Othello’s Ensign, Iago, hatching a plot to destroy the life of Othello and he has recruited Roderigo to help him carry out his devious plan. Much like Othello is one of the most beloved tragic hero’s of Shakespeare, Iago is remembered as one of Shakespeare’s most heinous villains. Iago’s reputation as an honest man plays an important role in the play. Iago has everyone fooled into thinking he is of noble loyalty to Othello. Once again, we see the perception vs. reality, because it is believed that Iago is a trustworthy true friend to Othello. The reality is that without this belief, he would have been unable to convince Othello to kill Desdemona. Iago’s dastardly scheme to bring down the admired Othello amplifies the impact upon the audience. He hates Othello for not being promoted to Lieutenant, a position he felt he earned. However, Othello had given it to Cassio, a less accomplished fighter. Iago’s first act of deceit is an attempt to deny the validity of Othello and Desdemona, who recently eloped and to plant the seeds of doubt by having Roderigo tell Brabantio, the Senator, that his daughter, Desdemona has eloped with Othello. The Duke believes that Othello has bewitched Desdemona with magic. Desdemona and Othello deny the claims, and Desdemona declares her love for her new husband, Othello. Already, we are seeing the perception versus reality theme introduced. The perception is that the marriage is a sham since the courtship was brief but the reality is that Othello and Desdemona truly love each other and feel they belong together. Iago has manipulated the court of into wondering whether Desdemona and Othello are credible people. He will later use the claims that Desdemona has betrayed her father in order to convince Othello that she cannot be trusted.

Next, Othello leaves for Cyprus, where there