Othello’s Deadly Error Essay Example

reveals Iago's plan for revenge against Othello and Cassio. It provides a rare glimpse into Iago's motivations for his deep hatred. When Othello is not present, Iago speaks disrespectfully of him and suggests that the Moor has slept with his wife. In conversation with Roderigo, Iago reveals his deceitful intentions with a hostile tone. However, when he encounters Othello shortly afterwards, his demeanor changes and he becomes a loyal ally. Neither Othello nor the other characters in the play are aware of Iago's intense animosity. Throughout the play, the audience witnesses Iago's manipulation of interpersonal distances, isolating his victims so that they succumb to their own obsessions.

Iago's scheme becomes clear as the plot speeds up when they leave Venice's civilizing effects.

The waves pounding against the clouds and the surging sea, with its high and monstrous waves, appear to drench the constellation Ursa Major with water, extinguishing the guards of the North Star. (Othello, 2.1.12-15)

In Venice, which symbolizes Western civilization and culture during Shakespeare's time, there are imaginary constraints of control and passivity. However, when they relocate to Cyprus, these constraints are gradually loosened, allowing for turmoil to dominate in a way that was not possible in Act one. The chaotic situation is further accentuated by the tempestuous weather. As observed in many of Shakespeare's plays, storms and unpredictable weather serve as a metaphorical representation of the brewing storm inside Iago.

When Othello moves to the island, he starts to reveal a number of faults and weaknesses that are uncharacteristic for a man of his stature. Iago continuously manipulates Othello with images of Desdemona being unfaithful, causing Othello to become increasingly jealous and to trust

Iago more and more. Instead of remaining virtuous, as he was in Act one when confronting Desdemona's father, Othello becomes susceptible to rumors and becomes passive. In Act one, when notified that he is being sought after, Othello boldly confronts his suitor and instructs the officers to keep their swords sheathed because they will not be needed. He says, "were it my cue to fight, I should have known it without a prompter (Othello 1.2.58-95)." This demonstrates Othello's honorable nature as a soldier, as he knows how to handle situations effectively. As a result, Othello gains the respect of Desdemona's father.

In his obsessive search for evidence of his wife's infidelity, Othello loses his active role. He is stranded on an island with no battles to fight and no army to lead, as Iago has taken over his position. Iago is controlling all the events, manipulating everyone around him. Instead of discussing the unfounded rumors with everyone involved and asserting his authority, Othello becomes a victim of Iago's poisonous injections of jealousy. At the beginning of the play, Othello is portrayed as a powerful figure, "the God of war," but by Act four, he collapses under the weight of his own insecurities. Othello allows baseless jealousy to conquer and destroy all that he has accomplished in life.

Iago expresses his surprise at the realization that women love men so much.

Cassio laments, "Alas, unfortunate scoundrel, I truly believe she loves me."

Othello: He now denies it weakly and dismissively by laughing it off.

Iago claims that she says you will marry her. Do you plan on doing so? Cassio responds with laughter and disbelief at the idea

of marrying her. Othello shrugs off their laughter, saying that the one who succeeds is the one who laughs.

(Othello 4.1.110-121)

Othello is obediently adhering to Iago's instructions by secretly eavesdropping on Cassio's testimony, ensuring that he can hear the truth directly without Cassio's knowledge. It is logical to assume that Othello is likely to discover the genuine truth. However, truth itself can be concealed by various disguises. The observer, rather than the communicator, possesses the ability to discern the truth; our senses, particularly sight and hearing, possess influential capabilities in distorting absolute truths. Othello becomes extremely passive, enabling his senses to deceive him and render him a fool.

When there is ambiguity, the receiver has the responsibility to untangle miscommunications. Cassio was being honest about the woman, but he was referring to his hussy Bianca. Othello doesn't directly confront either of the accused because he trusts Iago completely. Othello never questions why his closest friend would deceive him. Othello fails to consider why Iago would set him up. On the island, Othello doesn't have anyone who can step back from the intense jealousy and assess himself and his peers.

In Venice, Iago would not have been able to plot such a malicious scheme without making previous mistakes. However, in Cyprus, the isolated environment enables Iago to exact his revenge. This revenge is fueled by Othello appointing Cassio as lieutenant, as well as a desire to even the score with Othello - a wife for a wife. Additionally, Iago harbors an intense dislike for the Moor. As Othello is cut off from unbiased perspectives on the island, Iago appears to be the only honorable person among the locals.

Othello's

communication skills are a weakness for him, as he admits "Rude I am in my speech, And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace...And little of this great world I can speak more then pertains to feats of broils and battles (Othello 1.3.81-86)". This weakness is particularly evident when he interacts with women. While Othello is able to effectively communicate with men using direct language related to military tactics, he struggles to have reasonable conversations with his wife. The intense jealousy and rage he experiences cause him to have an extreme virgin/whore dichotomy.+

Othello suffers from a condition where he sees women, especially his wife, as either completely innocent or completely despicable depending on their faithfulness. When Othello can no longer handle the drama around him, he resorts to violence, seeking revenge through blood. This demonstrates that Othello cannot handle multiple roles simultaneously; in Cyprus, he must balance being a passionate lover and a governor. Towards the end, Othello is haunted by Desdemona's past deception of her father when she eloped without his permission. Othello's imagination creates images of Desdemona using the same manipulation to exploit him, her loving and obsessed husband.

Jealousy typically arises from the perception of insecurity, uncertainty, or danger regarding one's life. Othello, although constantly at risk, only became jealous when he began to think for two. While some argue that Othello was a victim of the malicious Iago, the tragedy would not have occurred without Othello's vulnerability. Ultimately, the tragedy unfolded because Othello was unable to overcome his weaknesses, even in the midst of utter destruction.