Othello Character Analysis - Essay Example

?Othello vs. Rama Othello is the central character of Shakespeare’s drama; Othello whereas Rama is the central character of Indian epic Ramayana written by Valmiki. Ramayana was written in Sanskrit language whereas Othello was written in English language. Even though Othello is considered as the central character of a drama, Rama is considered as the Hindu God. Othello was a brave soldier whereas Rama also can be considered as a soldier since he killed Ravan in a battle. It should be noted that Ravan is believed to be the king of Rakshasa with ten heads. There are plenty of similarities and differences between Rama and Othello. This paper analyses the similarities and differences between Rama and Othello. Both Rama and Othello were very much in love with their beautiful wives; Desdemona and Seta respectively. However, both of them suspected their wives once because of the circumstantial pressure. “In spite of Othello’s elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race. He possesses a “free and open nature,” which his ensign Iago uses to twist his love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and destructive jealousy”(Othello). It should be noted that Othello and Desdemona got married secretly. In other words they were in deep love before their marriage. However, Othello has developed some doubts about Desdemona’s character later. “Othello believes Desdemona is being unfaithful because Iago lies to him. He claims that the handkerchief Othello gave to his wife was found in Cassio's room. Othello believes Iago because he trusts him indefinitely, even though he should have trust Desdemona” (Othello's Suspicions). From the above incident it is evident that Othello had doubts about Desdemona’s activities. He thought that Desdemona is keeping illegal relationship with another guy and she is cheating him. Rama also did the same thing. Even though he loved his wife Seeta very much, he also developed doubt about Seeta’s chastity. It should be noted that Seeta is believed to be the daughter of Goddess Bhumi. She married Rama, the prince of Ayodya during her teenage period. However, immediately after the marriage she forced to go to a forest along with her husband Rama and Rama’s brother Lakshmana. While in exile, it was the duty of Lakshmana to look after Seeta. However, he failed to do so and Rakshasa king Ravan abducted her. She was imprisoned in Ravan’s kingdom Lanka. Rama killed Ravan in a war and rescued Seeta. However, he had developed doubt about the chastity of Seeta. He though that Seeta is pregnant and tried to give up her. Even though Seeta tried to prove her innocence and chastity, Rama was not in a mood to hear her words. Seeta forced to prove her chastity by undergoing a trial by fire. In short, both Rama and Othello have developed doubt about the chastity of their wives at a particular point of their life. However, Rama never bothered to kill his wife and hence he got her back. However, Othello killed his wife out of suspicion and he failed to get his wife back once he realized that she was innocent. Rama had a strange friendship with the prince of Vanar; Sugriv. In fact, Sugriv helped Rama immensely in destroying Lanka in the battle between Rama and Ravan. It should be noted that Vanars were people in between monkeys and humans. However, Rama had no problem in establishing sound relationships with the Vanars. In fact Rama was a great leader. Like all leaders, Rama lived his life in the full glare of the public. Everyone knew his life, inside out. There was nothing he could hide in his life. To please people around himself, he did everything necessary to make them happy. He even abandoned his mother and kingdom to prove what a law abiding (Dharma Dhurandhar), wonderful son he was. His reward - exile and adulation (Innocent Sita! Why did Rama abandon her ?? ). Same way Othello was also a great leader up to certain extent. However, on many occasions he failed to take sound decisions. In fact “Othello is a strong leader, self-assured in his ability to handle military matters, but he is insecure with his personal qualities” (Mabillard). A leader should command respect from the followers. Duke and others had faith in his leadership skills and abilities as a warrior and fighter. Othello used his resources well and had immense faith in his followers. In fact his deep faith in his subordinates cost him his wife. It should be noted that Othello failed to recognize the jealousy of his subordinates. In fact he fall victim of Iago’s jealousy. Moreover, he failed to recognize the intentions of Iago and that is why he unnecessarily killed his innocent wife. In other words, Othello’s analytical abilities and decisions making skills were somewhat poor even though he was a brave fighter and soldier. He took decisions emotionally and never relied wisdom for taking decisions. That is why Desdemona forced to sacrifice her life. On the other hand, Rama was a person who understands his mistakes. He never took decisions based on emotions. Wisdom prevailed over emotions in all the decisions taken by Rama. Even though he gave up his wife once, he had no hesitation in accepting her again once he realized his mistake. In short, compared to Othello, Rama was not only a soldier but a great leader with better decision making skills. Even though Rama gave up his wife temporarily, he had great respect towards women of all communities. Even women from the enemy camp got recognition from Rama, which is evident from the following incident. After the defeat of Ravan, the mortal enemy of Rama, Mandodari, his chief queen, comes out to grieve over her unfaithful husband. This was a man who had a roving eye and kidnapped many women to satisfy his lust. Mandodari, as his first wife, was secure in her position, but, powerless to restrain him. Her security came from being the first to wed him, and the first to give him valient sons as heirs, but her powerlessness came from knowing her husband was a lustful man who knew no restraint. Being the super power of his time, he knew no one would stand up to him. He took what he wanted, when he wanted, from where he wanted. If the gods could not restrain him, how could Mandodari ? Rama recognised this. Why should she be punished for his avarice ? He called her a Sati, and honoured her as a paragon of the virtue of patience. He gave her the honours due to the widow of the fallen warrior. Rama made sure Mandodari was not vilified for the sins of her husband and sons (Innocent Sita! Why did Rama abandon her ?? ). On the other hand, Othello had no such qualities. In fact he hates all other women when he developed the misunderstanding with his wife. He thought that all the women in this world are cheats and it is illogical to trust them. In short, both Rama and Othello had different views about the roles of women in the society. To conclude, Rama and Othello had many similarities and differences in their characters. Both of them were warriors. Moreover, they developed mistrust over their wives at some point of their life. Othello suspected an illegal relationship of his wife and killed her whereas Rama developed doubts about the chastity of his wife. Rama never tried to kill her. When he realized his mistake, he had no hesitation in reinstating Seeta in his wife’s role. Rama had superior leadership skills than Othello. Othello approached matters emotionally whereas Rama took decisions based on wisdom. Works Cited “Innocent Sita! Why did Rama Abandon Her ??”. Web. 07 December 2012. Mabillard, Amanda. “Othello Character Introduction Shakespeare Online”. Web. 07 December 2012. “Othello”. Web. 07 December 2012. “Othello's Suspicions”. Web. 07 December 2012. Read More