‘Othello has only himself to blame for his own tragic destruction.’
Shakespeare is known for his tragically clever plays; among numerous Shakespearean plays Othello is a brilliant example. The tale of Othello opens in argument as Iago is angry that Othello has chosen to promote a young handsome Cassio over himself. Iago, knowing that Roderigo is madly in love with Desdemona (Othello’s soon to be wife) manipulates Roderigo into informing Brabantio (Desdemona’s father) about Othello’s marital plans. Brabantio a nobleman panics when he finds out that Othello is planning to marry his daughter. The stage has been set for disaster.
The tragedy in this story is in the downfall of Othello himself. Othello once a military commander was at the peak of his career. He was married to the most beautiful women in Venice. However, he was left to kill his wife and himself! How is this possible? And, what was the cause of Othello’s down fall? Many viewers and readers believe it is Iago who caused Othello’s downfall. Othello was an evil and villainous ‘snake’ who is awfully jealous and therefore manipulates Othello to his eventual downfall. Others may say that it is the Racial discrimination within the Venetian society that is the catalyst to Othello’s downfall. Arguing that if nothing else was changed except Othello’s skin color his tragic down fall would have never occurred. Many say that it is Othello’s foolish yet naïve nature that leads him to his tragic ending while on the other hand viewers may say it is Othello’s arrogance and cumbersome ego that results in tragedy. The theories of the true reason to Othello’s tragic story are endless. I put my case forward that Othello has himself to blame for his tragedy but also Iago’s manipulation and the overall racism within the Venetian Society.
From the beginning of the story an argument can be made that Othello’s inherent qualities result in his tragedy. Othello’s choice to promote Cassio rather than Iago was a bad decision. However, beyond Othello’s choice to promote Cassio. We continuously see Othello foolishness and naivety get the better of him. Othello’s belief and trust in Iago is a main weakness of Othello that Iago took advantage of. Othello truly believed that Iago was trustworthy as Othello speaks of him highly explaining that ‘Iago is most honest’ (Act 2 Scene 3 line 5) and ‘he is of honest and trust,’ (Act 1 Scene 3 line 280). Multiple times throughout the story refers to him a ‘honest Iago.’ Othello does this so frequently and casually in his speech; ‘honest Iago’ sounds like a title or part of his name, or perhaps even a way of comforting himself into believing Othello is trustworthy. Othello is of the highest military rank and therefore, should be of high intelligence. His failure to see Othello true colors and constant blind belief in Iago uncovers his naivety and foolishness.
Othello’s strong appearance, high social status and overall merit shields his inherit weakness and self-doubt. Othello fails to believe that Desdemona has been loyal. However, we see that Othello does trust Desdemona ‘My life upon her faith’ (Act 1 Scene 3 line 290). Othello rather has disbelief in himself and his own attractiveness. In speech Othello questions his relationship and Desdemona’s loyalty to him ‘will I draw. The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt, for she had eyes, and chose me.’ (Act 3 Scene 3 line 190). Othello sheepishly convinces himself that he will not let jealousy destroy him however due to his lack of confidence and inner weakness Othello has already been consumed by Iago’s manipulation. Even Desdemona has more belief in Othello that himself as she boasts that her ‘Noble Moor.’ Is true of mind and made of no such baseness.’ (Act 3 Scene 4 line 19) At his last breath Othello knowingly still tries to bury his weakness. Othello believes he was too honest and too loving however in reality he was just naïve, foolish and weak. Othello begs to be spoken as ‘Nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice.’ ‘Of one that loved not wisely, but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme’ (Act 5 Scene 2 line 340)
The original title of Othello was ‘Othello and the moor of Venice’. Othello is referred to as a ‘Moor five times in the first act of the first scene. Aside from ‘moor’ the words used to describe Othello include ‘old black ram’ (Act 1 Scene 1 line 89), ‘Beast’ (Act 1 Scene 1 line 130) ‘Sooty bosom’ (Act 1 Scene 2 line 70), ‘Foul disproportion’ (Act 3 Scene 3 line 228), ‘begrimed and black’ (Act 3 Scene 3 line 441) and others. Plain racism is quite an obvious theme from the beginning of the story all the way through to the end. Shakespeare based Othello off the story Un Capitano Moro by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio. Racism within Venetian society certainly occurred in reality and in Shakespeare’s plays. The social connotations within Venetian society suggest racism was not hidden but also proudly displayed. Racism within Venetian society is also a catalyst of Othello’s downfall. Hypothetically but reasonably if Othello were white, ‘Othello’ would not have been much of a story at all.
The racism in the story causes much of Othello’s weakness and lack of confidence in himself. Othello lives to believe he is in some way inferior. As previously stated, Othello’s strong appearance, high social status and overall merit shields his inherit Othello’s strong appearance, high social status and overall merit shields his inherit weakness and self-doubt. Much of his weakness and self-doubt is caused by the racist society Othello lived in. Othello was likely more convinced that Cassio did sleep with his wife as Cassio and Desdemona were both, white while Othello wasn’t. The overall racism in the Venetian society does cause Othello and the environment around him do have a negative impact. This became a catalyst for his down fall.
Iago is the indispensable villain in every Shakespearian tragedy. Iago’s manipulative and evil persona is fueled by his jealousy and hatred. This leads Iago to manipulate Othello and cause his tragic downfall. Iago’s amassment of jealousy and hatred begins at the start of the story when Othello’s choses to promote Cassio rather than Iago. ‘One Michael Cassio,’ ‘A fellow almost damned in a fair wife. That never set a squadron in the field. Nor the division of a battle knows’ (Act 1 Scene 1 line 25) Iago continues to vent bluntly stating that ‘I hate the Moor. And it is thought abroad, that ‘twixt my sheets. Has done my office. I know not if ‘t be true.’ (Act 1 Scene 3 Line 400) This time it is because Iago suspects Othello has been sleeping with his wife Emilia. Iago believes that it is Othello who was ruined his career and marriage. Iago devises his master plan as he is looking for vengeance. In Othello’s own words. ‘The Moor already changes with my poison’ (Act 3 Scene 3 Line 375). Iago believes he has poisoned Othello with evil notions. It is this evil plan and poisonous thoughts that leads to much of Othello’s tragic destruction. Iago planted evil thoughts and lead Othello to believe his wife was cheating on him, furthermore he created false evidence to and support his evil plan. Iago’s evil plan is the center of deception, evilness and manipulation. Iago executes his plan which consequently results in the deaths of many and the overall tragedy in the story ‘Othello’
Ultimately, the cause of Othello tragic destruction is not due to just himself. Rather it is a combination of Iago’s manipulative and evil persona, Racism within Venetian society and Othello’s inherent qualities of weakness, naivety and lack of confidence which is likely caused by Racism within Venetian society. I argue that is the combination of these three elements that lead to Othello’s tragic destruction. Because without all three of these things Othello would likely not have had a tragic downfall. Each of these three elements were like puzzle pieces and if one piece were missing the tragedy would not have been complete.
Bibliography
https://www.shmoop.com/othello/jealousy-quotes.html
