Looking closely at Othello’s final speech in act 5 scene 2, how far do you agree with Ts Elliots assertion that Othello has “ceased to think about Desdemona and is cheering himself up”.
In Act 5 Scene 2, Othello’s tragic flaw is exposed; leaving him vulnerable to the people around him as his integrity and trust in people has been manipulated by Iago.
Ts Elliots assertion that Othello has “ceased to think about Desdemona and is cheering himself up” in Othello is one that can be debated. He has ceased to think about Desdemona by talking of himself in 3rd person, almost distancing himself from the action which he has carried out and that his actions are completely out of character for Othello.
However it can be argued that he isn’t “cheering himself up” as said by Elliots , as Othello says that “threw a pearl away/richer than all his tribe” meaning he valued Desdemona even after his own blindness to her innocence, with Iago not being present allowing him to become resonant in heroic language, attributes we saw of Othello from the beginning of the play.
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Iago’s manipulative nature is shown here, with his rhetoric a key feature he uses to deceive and exploit characters In the play which enables him to gain mental control over his
Each situation of manipulation proves Shakespeare’s characterization of Iago. He was an evil antagonist, and would do anything to get to the top. Due
Othello is a frank and straightforward, honorable people. He believed that life is good, and society is fair; he treat people with sincerity, and believed that he can be received with honor. He wholeheartedly loves Desdemona, his own honor and dignity of all their faith in the awful happy marriage. Yet just at this time Igon told him that Desdemona has affair with its own honorable lieutenant Cassio, he was overwhelmed by this sudden blow, psychology began to lose balance, Othello caught in the pain and contradiction, a moment that Desdemona is chastity, and the next minute
Othello is described as “Valiant Othello” (1.3.49) by the Duke before he even notices Brabantio, highlighting the respect that the Duke grants Othello as a necessary military fixture at the battle of Cyrus. “Opinion, a more sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you” (1.3.224-226), said by the Duke in convincing Othello to head to Cyprus to defend it. This further emphasizes the high regard the Duke has of Othello, convinced that Othello is a great leader who is needed at the heart of the battle. However, as Othello begins to believe that Desdemona cheated on him, the divide between military general and a husband to Desdemona start dissolve as Othello is seen to be speaking of Desdemona as a soldier on the field “Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light: If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, I can again thy former light restore” (5.2.6-9), showing how confused Othello has become to refer to his wife in most unloving ways when he used to speak about her in the most highest regards “His unkindness may taint my life/But never taint my love” (4.2.159-160). Showing how the lines between his public life and personal life has blurred, causing the audience to know how much Othello has
Othello is brought to these critical situations because of Iago’s plan to take over his life. In the beginning Iago is maddened that Othello has taken a higher role than him. Iago
By the middle of the play Othello’s mood and demeanor seem to shift from being peaceful and patient to very anxious, paranoid, and gullible. For example when Othello is talking to Iago and Iago suggests that maybe his wife is not being faithful to him, it becomes Othello’s obsession to get down to the bottom of it and catch her. “I have been talking with your suitor here, a man that languishes in your displeasure / Who is’t you mean / Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord” (III.iii.41-43). In this dialog between Othello and Iago, with just two sentences Iago causes Othello to lose trust in his wife and believe she is being unfaithful to him which grows stronger and stronger each scene of the play. Because Iago is extremely cunning and manipulative, he is able to control almost anyone he chooses and he is in control of Othello’s emotions because he knows the things Othello fears. Iago is pretending to be Othello’s friend but secretively is going behind his back and bringing him down. Iago convinces Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. “I humbly do beseech
At this time, Othello has killed Desdemona and has forever ruined his own life. By her trying to stop the madness, her husband, who is still filled with hatred and jealousy, kills her.
Othello insults and strikes Desdemona in public and Desdemona being horrified by these actions says that “I have not deserved this” (4.1.241). Desdemona finds Othello to be incorrect in his actions and she expresses her feelings to Othello. This proves Desdemona to be ahead of the time the play was written since unlike other women Desdemona defends herself and her beliefs strongly. Therefore, Desdemona is shown as an all-around powerful woman.
Othello’s insecurities are brought to surface as Othello announces, to only the audience, his thoughts. During his speech, Othello pounders the idea that Desdemona has lost her love for him, listing many
It is here that the audience begins seeing a different identity of Othello. Who was once regarded as so valiant and courageous, was now beginning to show signs of severe insecurities dealing with matters, most importantly, such as his lack of experience in love and marriage causing shadows of doubt over his confidence in himself and his ability to be loved by and worthy of someone like Desdemona. Desdemona, although not intentionally, seems to be the reason for all the unrest in Othello. This is an instance in the play when irony shines it's smiling face upon Shakespeare's most tragic characters. Othello feels truly happy with the presence of Desdemona in his life (Act II.1, 181-187):
Othello had the option of having a rational discussion with Desdemona however he decides to blame her without evidence. While reflecting on the information Iago has given him, Othello begins plotting his revenge. Othellos temper made matters worst for Desdemona. Whenever he becomes angered he lashes out on Desdemona and would physically and mentally abuse her. Othello’s aggressive behavior has become suspicious to some, yet he is left alone. Othello commits the murder of Desdemona with no remorse and doesn't think twice about what will happen to him. Othello states, “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light. If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,I can again thy former light restore”(5.2.235). He undoubtedly believes that Desdemona must be killed no questions asked. When Lodovico realizes what Othello has done he is stunned. Lodovico attempts to convince Othello of what he did is wrong, but he believes his actions were right, ”O thou Othello, thou wert once so good,Fall'n in the practice of a damnèd slave,What shall be said to thee?”, othello then states,” Why, anything. An honorable murderer, if you will,For naught I did in hate, but all in honor” (5.2.342-347). Instead of taking responsibility for killing Desdemona Othello is making excuses to protect
In the given passage, Desdemona illustrates her view of her relationship and stance against doing any wrong by Othello;
Throughout this passage, Iago’s main techniques of deception include lies, syntax and diction, and hoodwinking Othello into thinking his way. By quickly averting his conflict with Othello at the start of the scene, he easily avoids confrontation
. He is admired by everyone in the play, even Iago comments on what a good man Othello is. Secondly, a tragic hero can not be perfect. He or she must have a flaw of some kind. In Othello’s case it is that he allows his emotions to take over. Manipulated by Iago’s lies, Othello is forced to confront emotions he obviously can not handle. His wisdom and patience are replaced by anger and hate. The power of these destructive emotions ultimately lead to Desdemona’s death and Othello’s suicide
Iago's manipulative nature has a profound effect on the decisions made by other characters in Shakespeare's ‘Othello’. Through his relations with those around him Shakespear characterizes him as a man full of malice, vengeance and dishonesty that is wholly inspired by jealousy. Furthermore it would appear that Iago has an exceptional ability to scheme, a talent which he uses to snake his way into the lives of others and exploit them through their weaknesses. Whether he does this for profit or for pleasure is a separate issue.
Iago plants ideas in Othello’s head, uses the innocent actions of others as his proof; and Othello, who is not practiced in worldly matters, believes his the misnomer of the “honest Iago”, and eventually is consumed by the lie.