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Othello Character Analysis

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William Shakespeare’s play “Othello” like most of his plays is about the premature death of a character who may or may not be considered a tragic hero. Othello, the Moor of Venice, follows him, his wife Desdemona, Cassio, and the main protagonist Iago through a series of unfortunate events that are supposed to be about jealousy between coveting a boss’s wife and a job promotion. The story turns to Iago when he turns into a commanding force that dishevels every character in the play. This is all done through the a simple fact that Iago is consisted an honest man and honest men would not do something so devious. Just by Iago talking Iago changes the tone of the whole scene. With Iago’s plot to destroy Othello just by being his friend and …show more content…

While Othello is in this questioning state towards Desdemona’s honesty and integrity, Iago makes certain claims knowing it would set off Othello’s jealousy and paranoia specifically focusing on the relationship between his wife and Cassio. Phrases like “Did Michael Cassio, When you wooed my lady, know of your love?” is the start to Othello searching for suspicious action from Cassio in past events that did not occur( 3.3 105). His use of repetition makes Othello think and creates problems or negative thoughts where there were none before “Think, my lord?” By heaven, thou echo’st me As if there were some monster in thy thought Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something” (3.3.121-124). Iago’s use of Desdemona’s handkerchief turns Othello’s conceptual paranoia into a more physical entity. Even though it is known the audience that there is no affair between Desdemona and Cassio the lost handkerchief provides tactile evidence to Othello allows Iago’s false accusations to become true “I have use for it. Go, leave me. I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ” (3.3.369-373). Because Iago disrupted Othello’s thoughts of his wife Desdemona, his friend Cassio, and his marriage with the use of paranoia, uncertainty, and jealousy, Othello’s behavior from this point on will be more erratic he even says “now, forever Farewell

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