FREE ESSAY ON OTHELLO PAPER

OTHELLO PAPER

Othello, the Moor of Venice
December 13, 1999
Iago (Othello's ensign) uses love against Othello (general of the Venetian army) to cause
him to experience jealousy. He not only utilizes the Moor's love for Desdemona, but also
his love for Iago and their friendship "My lord, you know I love you..."(1.3.117) Funny
enough, Iago gives warning to Othello of the very negative emotion that he hopes to
inflict upon him! (1.3.166)."Oh beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-ey'd
monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on..."
The first time that Iago's plan is seen is (3.3.33). Iago: "Ha! I like not that!"
Othello: What dost thou say?" Iago: "Nothing my lord: or if-Know not what. Othello: Was
not that Cassio parted from my wife?" Iago: Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,
that would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming. He continues his manipulating of
his friend (3.3.95). Iago: "Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, know of your
love?" Othello: "He did, from first too last: why dost thou ask?" Iago: "But for a
satisfaction of my thought; no further harm." Othello: "Why of thy thought, Iago?" Iago:
"I did not think he had been aquatinted with her." Othello: " O, yes; and went between us
very oft." See how he makes it almost seem as though Othello discovered this out on his
own and Iago seems as a mere friend when the find is made. Iago's true nature is seen at
this point.
Iago refers to himself as a devil, but to say that he is bad because he is bad doesn't
explain why he is repeatedly explains himself to himself. Your honest friend is one who
is always there for you and who will always tell you the truth. Iago has a reputation for
honesty and uses it for dishonest purposes. His nature is ugly in the way that compares
others to animals, especially when referring to their sexuality. Othello is a military
man who is often looked at with respect in this category. However, when taken away from
the military eye where he offers so much safety, he is constantly mentioned by his color
in a degrading way. Brabantio, Desdemona's father uses "Moor" as a derogatory name for
Othello, but Othello is called other things, including "my lord" and "general". After the
first two scenes of the play, Othello's color is rarely mentioned, so we may forget that
when the play is seen Othello's blackness always makes him different from everyone else.
Reference to him as "the Moor" emphasized that difference, but it is emphasized in other
ways, as well. He is strong and firm in character but also has a loving side where
Desdemona ( Othello's wife, Brabantio's daughter) comes into play. He came from a loving
mother and father which was mentioned in the importance of "the handkerchief" In
Shakespeare's time obedience was though to be one of a woman's primary values, and
Desdemona thinks herself to be as obedient, but as in the case with her father, she seems
to have her own interpretation of what that means. She is beautiful, both in body and
spirit. It's not something she mentions, or even seems to be aware of, buy it affects how
others treat her and think of her. Desdemona spends much of her time making a case, for
herself, for Cassio, and finally for Othello.
Iago's devilish character is seen throughout the play. Towards the end of scene two in
which Iago brings about Cassio's downfall, he persuades Cassio to appeal to Desdemona,
and plans to make Othello believe that Caossio and Desdemona are having an affair. Then
he says, "By the mass, 'tis morning;...Pleasure and action make the hours seem short"
(2.3.378-379). In other words, he's been having so much fun during his busy night, so the
time has just flown by. In the last scene of the play, after Iago's treachery has been
proven, Othello says to Lodovico, " Will you, I pray, demand that demi-devil...Why he
hath thus ensnared my soul and body? (5.2.300-302). Iago's reply is famous. He says,
"Demand me nothing: what you know , you know:...From this time forth I never will speak
word." (5.2.303-304). Iago is ready and willing to explain himself to Othello,Roderigo,
and to us. So then why does he choose to silence himself now? Maybe he can't think of
another lie.
In the characterization of Othello, no one describes him best than his wife and
unfortunate victim. In the Venetian Senate, Othello tells the story of how he and
Desdemona fell in love. Brabantio urges that Othello used magic and drugs on Desdemona,
and that she be brought to testify; he says to her, "Do you perceive in all this noble
company...Where most you owe obedience?" (1.3.179-180). In reply, Desdemona affirms her
duty to her father, who gave her life and education, but asserts that she has a higher
duty to Othello, because he is her husband. She says, "My noble father, I do perceive
here a divided duty: To you I am bound for life and education; My life and education both
do learn me how to respect you; you are the lord of duty; I am hitherto your daughter:
but here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother show'd to you, preferring you before
her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor, my lord.
(1.3.180-189). Further in the act, she says, "My heart's subdued even to the very quality
of my lord: Saw Othello's visage in his mind, and to his honor and his valiant parts did
I my soul and fortunes consecrate. (1.3.250-254). "Subdued" means "in harmony with" and
Othello's "quality" is both his character and his profession as a warrior. Desdemona
asserting that she is very much like her husband and belongs with him, even in war. She
shows tat she understands and rejects the bigotry that is directed at him. A person's
"visage" is his face, and she understands that most Europeans consider black to be ugly,
but she saw past his face to his honor and courage, which she adores. Her charter is well
described here as beautiful both inside and out.
Bibliography
w/ term paper