Othellos Tragedy by Shakespeare - Book Report/Review Example

# & Reference # 1140 words Othello’s Tragedy Tragedy makes people realize human nature and makes possible to equate the great to the ordinary. It exposes the human heart and makes people realize that even the big and mighty are afflicted with the same emotions affecting every human being. It makes connecting to a heroic character an easy task and at the same time leaves room for excusing personal excesses by referring to the greater damage to which those similar emotions led others, just like Othello. The moral that Othello conveys can be applied to the everyday events of human lives. Jealousy, that is roused by suspicion and wounded pride, which could be reactions to prejudice, makes Othello the most celebrated text that explores the powers of these debilitating factors even over someone who is considered a hero (Collie 88-9). Shakespeare’s Othello is one of the earliest texts that depict racism against blacks (Iyasere, Iyasere, and Little 326). Normally, especially during Shakespearian days, the whites are the natural protagonists while the blacks are usually portrayed as antagonists. This depiction of a hero is unusual because Othello is shown as troubled with bitterness, delusions, and self-importance (Vaughn 180). He is a dignified, brilliant, heroic, and important figure in the Venetian army, yet despite this prominent status, his own insecurities make him prey to the selfish motives of Iago, the play’s villain (Jacobsen 502). The tragic part here is that no matter how great his status is, and no matter how admired he is by the people of Venice, the war strategies that make him win several battles do not win for him his battle at home, which ultimately resulted in the tragic end of Othello and his beloved Desdemona. Iago sees Othello’s jealousy for his wife Desdemona and decides to use it to his own advantage. He is able to manipulate Othello easily, even when Iago never once presented strong evidence about Desdemona’s infidelity. In fairness to Othello, the ideas that Iago convinces him of are very likely to happen, therefore, easy to believe (Jacobsen 503-4). However, if he knows his wife Desdemona well, it is also easy to see that these accusations are not only improbable, but ridiculous as well. In a scene in the play, Iago exclaims “Ha! I like not that.” (3.3.33) and “Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it, That he would steal away so guilty-like, Seeing you coming.” (3.3.37-9). Here, it is obvious that Iago, lacking any solid proof, tries to plant ideas in Othello’s mind through manipulation. Iago acts like he is unwilling to confess the sordid details of the scene between Desdemona and Cassio, yet all the while uses a suggestive tone and drops hints that Desdemona is having an illicit affair with Cassio. This causes Othello to demand for more details, making it appear that he is dragging information out of Iago, while the truth is that Iago leads him into that trap of suspicion. This skillful manipulation ignites jealousy in Othello that is roused by the suspicion that Iago successfully implants in his head. These suspicions that rouse his jealousy cause constant speculations by different critics. Othello’s self-loathing is one popular idea. For example, making their marriage private instead of public could mean that he does not believe he is good enough for Desdemona (Vaughn 180). Othello is also portrayed as filled with contradicting characteristics. He promotes Cassio (1.1.18-21) but shows more trust to Iago; he kills his wife Desdemona (5.2.137-8) despite professing his overwhelming love and passion for her; he also kills himself (5.2.376-7) instead of facing the consequences of his crime despite being noted for his courage and dignity. His insecurity makes him gullible to Iago’s manipulations. It can be said that even without Iago’s exploitations of his insecurities, Othello would still be susceptible to suspicions one way or another (Vaughn 181). Despites his great accomplishments and elevated status in the society, Othello still has this great flaw that could be attributed to another factor, which will be discussed later. Ego or pride could also be another cause for Othello’s overwhelming jealousy. At one angle, it can be said that Desdemona is killed out of Othello’s rage due to being betrayed. It is possible that Othello is so self-absorbed, that Iago’s constant praises makes Othello trust him more. If this is the case, then Othello’s love is centered on himself, and not on Desdemona, which could explain his contradicting acts, like the one stated above where he kills Desdemona despite professing undying love for her (Vaughn 181). There are several scenes in the play that show Othello’s obsession with the impact of Desdemona’s cheating has on his image. He is absorbed in planning to punish Desdemona because of the hurt his suspicions cause him. But then, if Othello’s self-absorption explains some of his contradicting deeds, his pride explains his contradicting acts as well. For example, despite assuring the senators that his personal life will not affect his position in the army, the moment he suspects Desdemona’s infidelity, he says: “Farewell the plumed troops and the big wars…Othello’s occupation’s gone.” (3.3.359-67). Othello does not seem capable of facing humiliation from his colleagues at the thought that his reputation is damaged due to Desdemona’s infidelity. On the other hand, Othello’s suspicions and pride may have stemmed from the prejudice that is widespread during that era (Iyasere, Iyasere, and Little 334). Looking carefully at the start of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship, they seem to be happily in love. Despite the shallow case against Desdemona, Othello chooses to believe the worst is true about his wife. Firstly, Othello has a prejudice against women, deeming them naturally loose. He implies that all men are fated towards infidelity by their wives(Iyasere, Iyasere, and Little 337-8). Additionally, the prejudice that surrounds him in Venice is absorbed in his system, making him believe that he can never be good enough for Desdemona because he is black and their relationship may contaminate his beautiful, white wife. Looking at how people then refer to Othello, one can easily see how prejudice may have affected his rational mind (Vaughn 181). Desdemona’s father, who is Othello’s friend, mentions that Othello merely tricked his daughter into marriage. Brabantio remarks too that Othello used charms or spells to enchant Desdemona, or else, the white lady would not have eloped with the dirty black man. There are several characters too who refer to Othello as the “old black ram,” “the devil,” and “thick lips.” (Jacobsen 509-11) Othello’s insecurity cannot be absolutely blamed on him. As a black man in a white society during that era, it is easy to be insecure about self-image (Iyasere, Iyasere, and Little 341). This resulted to his easily wounded ego and aroused suspicions that Desdemona will easily get rid of him because he is not worthy. To be a man who reached his status through hard work and possibly extreme discipline, is it not hard to relate to Othello’s jealousy incited by his pride, insecurity, and suspicions. The fact that he has to overcome, possibly every day, prejudice from the society is also a vital factor in this tragedy (Iyasere, Iyasere, and Little 346-7). Works Cited Colie, R. L., & Bloom, H. (2000). "Othello" and the Problematics of Love. Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations: Romeo & Juliet, 87-115. This explores the marital problems encountered in some of Shakepeare’s play, including Othello. It aids in understanding the views on marriage during that era. Iyasere, S., Iyasere, M., & Little, J. L. (2008). "An essence that's not seen": The Primal Scene of Racism in Othello. In , Understanding Racial Issues in Shakespeare's "Othello": Selected Critical Essays (pp. 325-355). SJK Publishing Industries, Inc. This article explores the issue of racism as presented in Othello. It also focuses on the view of society on interracial marriages, particularly if involving a black man. Jacobsen, K. (February 01, 2009). Iago's art of war: The "Machiavellian moment" in Othello. Modern Philology, 106, 3, 497-529. This article expounds on Iago’s motivations. It gives a deeper insight behind his manipulative nature, and its effects on Othello and the other characters in the play. DiYanni, R. (2006). Literature: Reading fiction, poetry, drama, and the essay. Boston: Thomson. This book allows a deeper reading of literature that includes feelings and critical thinking. It provides helpful analysis of literary texts to allow viewing them from a different, or the reader’s personal viewpoint. Vaughn, V. M. (January 01, 2011). Joel B. Altman. The Improbability of ``Othello'': Rhetorical Anthropology and Shakespearean Selfhood. Journal of British Studies, 50, 1, 180-181. This article provides insightful revelations on Othello and the motivations behind his actions. It provides a brief analysis of what drives people, particularly in Shakespeare’s plays. Read More