William Shakespeare’s famous play, Othello, is deemed as one of the best literary works in the history of literature. The play being one of the most interesting works of literature portrays the most intricate characters. The character of the protagonist of the play, Othello, stands out with its traits and expression of emotions. The playwright weaves the character with sheer genius, and it leaves an everlasting mark on the minds of the audience and the readers of the play.
The play exposes the very subtleties of emotions of Othello with the course of events that take place in his life. His emotions change with new experiences and situations that define him as a human being. The playwright portrays the evolution of the protagonist through the play, and explores the darkest alleys of human emotions in the process of portraiture. The psychological journey that Othello goes through gets manipulated by certain events that play the role of the catalyst in transforming is psyche and feelings. His downfall is caused by serious flaws in his character that gradually pull him down to the ashes.
Jealously is one of Othello biggest flaws that lead to his downfall. He is seen in the beginning of the play as a committed lover who is ready to do everything to be with his ladylove. He does not get wary to brave any odd that might come in his way. He is later accompanied by Desdemona to the land of Cyprus. Iago, one of Othello’s closest aides goes on to hatch a conspiracy against him as he believes Othello has wronged him by making Cassio his lieutenant. On the night of the consummation of the marriage of Desdemona and Othello, Iago manipulates Cassio to start a brawl which gets him stripped of his post of lieutenant.
As the events unfold, Cassio desperately endeavors to reach out to Othello, whom he respects, through Desdemona. Desdemona sympathizes with Cassio, and understands that he is repentant of his mistake. When Othello reaches the place of their dwelling, Cassio rushes out without talking to him. Iago insinuates about an affair between the two of them in the meanwhile. All this makes Othello jealous, and he starts getting skeptical about the loyalty of his wife whom he trusted once the most in the world.
He becomes extremely jealous as Desdemona talks in favor of Cassio, and requests him to revoke his decision of removing him from the post of lieutenant. Othello’s irritation is evident as there are agitated outbursts on his part. He becomes very insecure about his wife, and his entire world seems to break down in front of his eyes.
In the course of the play, Iago being at his manipulative best convinces Emilia to steal the handkerchief used by Desdemona. This handkerchief was a gift to her from her husband, Othello. Later, Iago plants this handkerchief in the room of Cassio so that he can use this as a proof of Desdemona’s infidelity to her husband. Othello is battered with emotions of jealousy by this time, and this apparent proof of his beloved wife’s infidelity is too much for him to take. He stands devastated as he feels he is being wronged for no reason by his wife. Othello becomes revengeful on his wife and Cassio- something that plays a big role in bringing about his ultimate downfall as a human being.
Seeking vengeance, Othello orders Iago to kill Cassio. By this time he shows how enraged he can be. His rage also acts as a catalyst to his downfall. The play goes on to show to the audience how Othello who was once so much in love with Desdemona, his ladylove whom he adored, has transformed into a bloodthirsty beast who knows of nothing but revenge. It is his perceived sense of betrayal and discord with his close people that leads to his downfall. He alienates his wife who used to be his sole mental support. He also takes Cassio to be an arch enemy, while Cassio respects Othello. Cassio was simply trying to win back Othello’s trust. The play is a portraiture of how a wounded lover turns into a devilish person who is driven by negative emotions against the people who were once the dearest to him.
His characteristic traits make him more vulnerable to Iago’s manipulative techniques that pave the way for his doom. He is simply blinded by hatred and does not bother to confront any of the people who he thinks have wronged him. Othello plans to kill his wife with his hands as revenge for her infidelity to him. He is driven to the point of being a murderer in his rage. Othello no more saw his wife as his beloved, soul-mate. She was now someone who has betrayed her, and has mutilated his emotion of love for her. Hence, for him the only retribution is death. 7
In the course of actions, Othello goes on to kill his wife- whom he could even die for some time back. Moments before Desdemona is assassinated by her husband, she pleads to him trying to explain the matter. She pleads hoping against hope that Othello would understand. Desdemona finds it hard to believe how Othello has transformed as a man over the time. However, Othello does not have any love left for her. He brutally murders her turning a deaf ear to her pleas.
His discord with people close to him drives him weak and vulnerable. He gets exposed to the vicious manipulations of Iago who perishes Othello bit by bit. Othello has no armor of love and trust that is provided by Desdemona. He himself alienates her from his life and heart. Thus, he starts a mental journey of being a loner who is tremendously misguided by Iago on purpose. Another person who was close to him, Cassio, becomes his enemy. However, Cassio never comes to know until the climactic events of the play that Othello has such a wrong notion about him and his intentions.
Othello, hence, becomes lonely as a person who has no true companion who would help him in his time of need. He could have got the help of Desdemona or Cassio only if he would have confronted them regarding the matter. However, to the sheer misfortune of Othello, he goes on making conjectures regarding his wife and Cassio- something that gets falsely established by the proof plated by Iago in Cassio’s room.
Othello only comes to realize his mistake when Emilia confesses in front of him of stealing the handkerchief that was planted as proof of Desdemona’s infidelity. She says that she was instigated by Iago to steal the handkerchief. At this revelation, Othello breaks down in repentance as he knows that his loss is irreplaceable. He has by this time killed his spouse who meant the world to him. He knows that he has become a prey to the manipulations of Iago.
Again he tries to resort to vengeance by endeavoring to kill Iago for this deceitful act. However, he fails to do so. He sums up his emotions in a speech that explains how he wishes to be remembered. Being battered by his conscience, he finally kills himself with the sword that was kept hidden.
The gradual transformation of Othello’s psyche is caused by his characteristic shortcomings. His jealousy, anger and discord drag him down from his position. His personal life is devastated in the course of time, and he is left with nothing but remorse. His demise is his escape as he knows that he has got inflicted by such traits in his character that cannot do him any good in life. Thus, the play shows the subtle emotions of the human heart that drive someone to act in a wrong way. The tragic character of Othello, the play’s fallen protagonist, stirs the audience to the innermost core with its scathing remark on human emotions and relationships. The vices of jealousy, rage and discord are critiqued by the playwright as negative traits that can lead to the downfall of a person just like in the case of Othello.
Works Cited
Bradshaw, Graham. Misrepresentations: Shakespeare and the Materialists. New York: Cornell
Pechter, Edward. Othello and Interpretive Traditions. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1999.
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