Analysis of Othello by William Shakespeare - Book Report/Review Example

Othello In the play Othello, Emilia is a victim of circumstance. All she does is not intended to hurt anyone. Emilia is acting with sheer innocence. She is not aware of Iago’s plan to destroy their boss Othello or even aware of the hatred that Iago has for Othello. Iago is very ambitious and has dreams of climbing the ladder of ranks in the force as fast as he can, anyone who is against him he swears to destroy. Othello had earlier rejected the request of Venice most prominent men to promote Iago to a lieutenant position something he had waited for in a long while. Iago believes that he has the potential, desired characteristics and qualifications necessary for the position in question. He says, “And I know my worth well enough to know I deserve that position.” He is against Othello’s choice for the position that spikes his hatred for him. Othello on his part prefers Cassio a guy from Florence to be his assistant rather than Iago. Iago confines in Roderigo about his anger and eventual plan. Iago, on the other hand, sees Cassio as unsuitable for that position accorded to him. Iago says, “He has never commanded men in any battle. He’s got no more hands to the knowledge of warfare than an old woman.” His loyalty to Othello is also in the balance due him being left out, and this comes out when he asks Roderigo if he should fell loyal to Othello after e betrayed him. Iago hates his master Othello, and this illustration is evident when he tells Roderigers that his main reason for serving Othello is to get what he wants. And he is only hiding his real feelings about the job in order to get enough time to execute his plans, Iago states, “ I’m not whom I appear to be.” His friend Roderigo who also has a grudge with Othello for taking away the woman he had always dreamed of marrying, Brabantio’s daughter and the love of his life from him. Ths situation is decribed by statements like “The native act and figure of my heart. In compliment extern, ’tis not long after. But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve. For daws to peck at. I am not what I am” (I.i.57–65).He found an excellent chance to get back at Othello for this reason and therefore supporting Iago as he was to achieve too. When Othello secretly gets married to Desdemona, Iago, and his ally raises an alarm at Brabantio’s house informing him of what had happened behind his back. Iago then quickly leaves the place to join his master so that he is not suspected to have been part of the betrayal. He saysof him, “IAGO Even now, now, very now, an old black ram. Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise; Awake the snorting citizens with the bell. Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you. Arise I say! (1.1.9). Brabantio then calls on all his relatives and friends to help him get his daughter from the marriage he did not support at all. Roderigo supports him and also offers his assistance in the night quest for the betrayer. On the other side, Iago pretends not to know anyone and goes ahead to question Othello on how secure he thinks his marriage while trying to instill fear in him at the same time. In his reply, Othello shows no fear for the wrath of his father-in-law that he stands to face because of his actions. When Cassio come looking for him, Brabantio and his team catches up with them and tries to arrest Othello on the account of stealing his only daughter. Othello does not resist his arrest. When Othello is taken to answer to charges he is being accused of, he asks that his wife, who is in the center of the problem be summoned to speak about what she knows. When she speaks, Desdemona arrives she accepts to have been living with him in her will but not compelled by anyone to do so. His father had no other choice but to accept and let go. It was the Duke’s intervention that had cooled Brabantio’s anger and rage. When Othello leaves to defend his state, his wife follows him, and Emilia also joins them but only to be at the service of Othello’s wife and be there for her husband, Iago. Iago spikes suspicion and hatred in Othello’s beautiful marriage and uses Cassio to justify Desdemona’s alleged infidelity. He state to Roderigo, “Desdemona is completely in love with him. Remember how she fell madly in love with Moor? Did you expect her to love him for his chattering?” Iago then decides to make Moor so jealous that he will not be able to think straight. Iago arranges for Moor to see his wife and Cassio together for him to believe they are dating. Othello bought his wife a handkerchief that Emilia picks when Othello drops it. she says, “But here’s my husband,; and so much duty as my mother showed; to you, preferring you before her father; so much I challenge that I may profess; due to the Moor my lord” (I.iii.179–188). She gives it to her husband because he trusts him and with no clues that it was evidence against the lady. Emilia’s devotion to Desdemona is unquestionable, and she only participates in helping her husband to achieve his revenge without knowing. If their husbands had not had any conflict between them all that was going on. The woman only suffered because of their husbands decisions. The wives are therefore not to blame. Suppose Emilia was part of the plot to destroy Moor she would not have tried to confess what her husband had been doing. She stated,” only God, knows what he will o with it,” as she holds the handkerchief. Emilia also asked Iago what he was going to do with the handkerchief, “And what are you going to do with it? Why do you want it so much that you begged me to steal it?” All the pieces of evidence above prove how innocent Emilia was for what was going on around her. Her naivety cost her life t she loved most in the hands of a man who unfortunately did not love her. Their love was for convenience. Killing Emilia was a clear indication that Iago was only interested in attaining his avenges and getting what he wanted most, the lieutenant position that Moor had denied him. It is only after killing his wife that Othello realizes that he had been deceived by someone he trusted. He paid for his mistake with the life of his wife and later his when he hanged himself to death. After all, “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.” (Iago, Act II, scene iii). Read More