The Downfall of Othello

The Downfall of Othello

Othello, written by William Shakespeare, is the perfect example of a romantic tragedy in which events involving the themes of jealousy, greed, revenge, and appearance versus reality bring the play to its tragic end. The play begins with an argument between Iago and Roderigo. This conflict gives the reader a glimpse of what is to come. Shakespeare uses the technique of foreshadowing to help the reader predict the misfortunes that will befall the characters in the play. The unfortunate events leading up to the downfall of the characters come to life through underlying discord between the characters. These conflicts are, for the most part, initiated by a sole character, Iago. Although the reader is aware that he is a heinous and villainous person, to the other characters, he is a well-respected and trusted gentleman. This faзade allows Iago to manipulate the other characters’ actions and feelings for his own personal gains. This manipulation leads the characters to believe only what Iago and their eyes tell them. The characters’ misconceptions of what is really happening lead them to jump to major conclusions, causing their demises. Through his ability to deceive the characters into believing what he wants them to believe and his aptitude for identifying personal flaws, Iago is able to cause Othello to become a beast without an ounce of rationality, which eventually, causes his downfall.

Iago seems to be the basis for all conflicts that occur throughout the play. However, he just serves as a catalyst, directing the outcome of the play, but he never seems to be directly involved in causing the conflicts. From the start of the play, Iago feels hatred for Othello because he was passed over for a promotion as Othello’s lieutenant. Instead, Othello chose Cassio, who Iago feels is less qualified for the position. Having this hatred towards Othello, Iago does everything in his power to seek revenge against Othello. In order to accomplish this goal, Iago implements several tactics, one of which is to make Othello believe that his wife Desdemona has cheated on him with Cassio. Iago tries to create doubts in Othello’s mind about Desdemona’s fidelity. His first act of mischief occurs in Act II when he tries to convince Cassio that Desdemona is a temptress, but, to his dismay, Cassio maintains that she is no more than a friend to him. When Iago’s attempt fails him, he then plots to lead Cassio into committing an action which would disgrace him in Othello’s eyes. This works. Othello strips Cassio of his rank and, from that point on, has nothing to do with him. Iago, having deceived both Cassio and Othello, convinces Cassio that if he wants to get back into good standing with Othello, he should ask Desdemona for help. Now that Cassio will be spending time with Desdemona discussing how to regain his position as lieutenant, it will be easier for Iago to convince Othello of their supposed affair. Iago plants thoughts of adultery and insincerity in Othello’s mind by reminding him that Cassio was their mediator during their courtship. Due to the amount of time that Cassio and Desdemona are spending together, Othello falls directly into Iago’s trap. During a scene in which Othello and Desdemona are having a conversation, Othello says, “I have a pain upon my forehead here” (3.3.300). Desdemona offers to bind his head with her handkerchief, but Othello refuses her offer, causing her to drop the handkerchief on the ground. Forgetting she has dropped it, the two leave, but Iago’s wife Emilia retrieves the handkerchief. Unaware of Iago’s intentions, Emilia gives the handkerchief to him. He then gleefully plots to plant it in Cassio’s room, and in a future conversation with Othello, tells him that he witnessed Cassio using it to wipe his face. In fact, Cassio did find the handkerchief in his room, but because he is not aware that it belongs to Desdemona, he gives it to Bianca, a lady friend of his, for her to make a replica of it. The handkerchief surfaces once again when Bianca joins a conversation between Cassio and Iago which Othello observes. Othello immediately recognizes the handkerchief and contemplates murdering Cassio. After speaking with Iago about what he has observed, Othello suggests that he will poison Desdemona. Iago, however, advises him to strangle her instead in the bed that she contaminated through her supposed infidelity. Iago then promises Othello that he will arrange Cassio’s death as well. Iago, feeling that his plans are working, sends Roderigo to kill Cassio; however, he has intentions of getting Roderigo killed as well. Roderigo encounters Cassio and stabs him, but Cassio stabs him back. During all of the commotion, Iago runs in and stabs Cassio in the leg. The cries of violence prompt Othello to enter Desdemona’s room to kill her. Confused, Desdemona questions Othello