William Shakespeare’s Othello Essay Example

able to enjoy the woman he desires. This indicates that marriage is merely a fragile vow and suggests that Iago has the support of the entire demonic realm. Additionally, Iago's true nature is further evident in his delight in delivering unsettling news. When informing Brabantio about his daughter's elopement, he takes pleasure in using disturbing metaphors such as "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe" and paints a vivid picture of Brabantio's daughter being with a Barbary horse and having nephews that neigh like horses and cousins who resemble coursers or gennets.

The level of graphic detail provided by Iago is excessive, but he takes pleasure in sharing it. Later, Iago enjoys tormenting Othello as Othello is persistently seeking information from him. Othello asks, "What did Cassio say?" Iago replies, "Well, he said something—I don't know exactly what he said." Othello continues to press for answers, asking "What? What?" Iago responds, "He lied—" Othello interrupts, asking, "Did he sleep with her?" Iago answers, "He slept with her, on her; however you want to interpret it." Iago purposely torments Othello by giving glimpses of sexually suggestive terms but withholding actual details.

He allows Othello's imagination to wander and imagine the worst possible scenarios. This has a stronger impact than straightforward information and makes Othello desperately seek more knowledge from Iago, giving Iago control over Othello. A. C. Bradley compares Iago to Goethe's Mephistopheles, as both characters are driven by a desire for satisfaction and power. Iago finds satisfaction in being the master of the General who has underestimated him and the rival who has been preferred over him, similar to how Mephistopheles desires power over Faust

as part of a competition with God.

According to Millicent Bell, Iago's motivation can be summed up as a despise for Othello's virtues. Bell explains that Iago aims to destroy qualities such as Othello's constancy, lovingness, nobility, and trusting nature - qualities which he despises. This would bring Othello closer to damnation. Although many interpret Othello's symbolic marriage to Iago as evidence of Iago's repressed homosexuality, it actually symbolizes the surrendering of Othello's soul to the devil.

At the start of their conversation, Othello insists, "Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore! Be sure of it; give me ocular proof" (3. 3. 356-357). He then gradually becomes more desperate, first demanding "make me to see't; or at least so prove it that the probation bear no hinge nor loop to hang a doubt on" (3. 3. 361-363), and eventually pleading for a "living reason she's disloyal" (3. 3. 406). In a short span of time, Othello's demands progress from wanting visual evidence, to any kind of proof, and finally to simply a reason.

Othello's conviction has become so strong that he is now even willing to accept the evidence of a dream. Even when Iago protests, saying "Nay, this was but his dream," Othello's rage intensifies, declaring, "I'll tear her all to pieces!" In this scene, his demand for proof transitions into a solemn oath of vengeance. He calls upon hell itself, commanding, "Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! Yield up, O Love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, for 'tis of aspics' tongues." Iago hears this and recognizes that Othello is now fully prepared to offer him

his soul.

Iago recognizes that the devil is being summoned, but it is Othello who first speaks in a language that reminds readers of a marriage ceremony. When Iago tries to calm him by saying "your mind may change" (3.3.449), Othello responds with the word "Nev'r" four times, emphasizing the permanence of his decision. He then kneels and declares, "Now, by yond marble heaven, In the due reverence of a sacred vow I here engage my words". Iago also kneels and vows, "Witness, you ever burning lights above... that Iago gives up the execution of his wit, hands, heart to serve wronged Othello".

The text suggests that various elements in Iago's speech resemble components of a marriage ceremony, such as references to heaven, a sacred vow, witnesses from above, and the surrendering of Iago's wit, hands, and heart. Additionally, similarities can be identified between Iago's speech and Desdemona's speech immediately following her wedding ceremony, where she pledges her devotion to her husband's honors and admirable qualities.

During the ceremony, Othello and Iago kneel, which is a rare stage direction in the play. Shakespeare uses stage directions sparingly and primarily for symbolic actions that are important for interpretation. In contrast to a holy marriage where the couple stands, Othello and Iago's marriage is performed at a lower rank and physical level. Bruce R. Smith describes it as a mockery of a marriage ritual, emphasizing how grotesque it is because Iago will use Othello's trust to destroy him. After rising from their kneel, Othello accepts Iago's love but requests proof of it. He demands that within three days, Iago must confirm that Cassio is not alive. The concept of revenge

is Othello's own, which reveals that after marrying the devil (referring to Iago), he no longer needs any further temptation. In response, Iago agrees to kill his "friend" at Othello's request but pleads for Desdemona's life to be spared. However, he only says this to plant the idea of revenge on Desdemona in Othello's mind. In frustration, Othello exclaims damnations towards Desdemona and separates from the others. He plans to find a swift means of killing the fair devil and declares Iago as his lieutenant.Ironically, the speaker damns the woman and refers to her as the devil. This reveals his ignorance about who is truly damned and who is truly the devil. The scene concludes with Iago affirming that he belongs to her forever, signifying their everlasting union. However, unlike the traditional vow "Til death do us part," their marriage is eternal. This is because Othello, in damning himself, will spend eternity in hell with the devil.

The text highlights Othello's permanent commitment and inability to reverse his actions until his death. The speech Othello delivers to Desdemona regarding the handkerchief, in which he claims "There's magic in the web of it... The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk" (3. 4. 69-74), signifies his rejection of religion and embrace of superstition. Even without requiring further proof, he eagerly accepts any evidence given to him as a means to justify his actions.

When Iago arranges the situation where Othello eavesdrops on Cassio discussing Emilia, Othello immediately assumes that Cassio is referring to Desdemona, even though there is no mention of her name or any other identifiable characteristic. Despite being presented with evidence that contradicts this assumption,

Othello refuses to return to his previous perspective before marrying Iago. Othello questions Emilia about the interaction she witnessed between Desdemona and Cassio, and she honestly admits to hearing their entire conversation and not sending Desdemona away.

Othello's response to the revelation is a simple "That's strange" (4. . 11), which doesn't shake his belief but leads him to believe that Emilia must be involved. He demonstrates this when he summons her, saying "You, mistress, that have the office opposite to Saint Peter and keep the gate of hell!" (4. 2. 89-91), and throws her coins, implying that she is both the gatekeeper of hell and a brothel keeper. In the same scene, Othello accuses Desdemona of being "a public commoner" (4. 2. 72), "a strumpet" (4. 2. 81), and "a whore" (4. 2. 84). Iago never hinted at this, proving Stephen A.'s point.

According to Shapiro, Othello is deceived by Iago's claim that Desdemona has been unfaithful with Cassio. However, Othello takes this notion of adultery to an extreme when he accuses Desdemona of being a "public commoner". In the final scene, Othello realizes that Iago is truly evil, exclaiming "I look down towards his feet [hoping to see cloven hoofs] - but that's a myth. If you are a devil, I cannot kill you" (5. 2. 283-284), to which Iago responds by admitting "I bleed sir, but not killed". Othello goes even further in acknowledging the truth by labeling himself a "Fool! Fool! Fool!" for falling for Iago's deceit.

However, Othello fails to acknowledge his own role in his downfall, describing himself as "one that loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily

jealous, but, being wrought, perplexed in the extreme" (5. 2. 340-342). Consequently, he dies while believing that he was an innocent man who was deceived and tormented to the point of insanity. In contrast, Iago's contribution to Othello's downfall was not as significant as Othello portrays it. The truth is that Othello willingly gave his soul to the devil by marrying Desdemona and thereafter fabricated all the evidence needed to condemn his wife. He became unable to find redemption.