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Who Is Desdemona's Jealousy In Othello

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The Shakespearean tragedy, Othello(1603), is open to differing interpretations, since the multifaceted nature of the characters, varying explanations of motivation and an individual values can influence their understanding of the text. The play can be seen in such a way that the characters in Othello fall prey to Iago’s skillful manipulation, not realizing that they are puppets in his elaborate scheme. He preys on each character’s innate flaws in their personality and judgement and seduces them into his web of lies. Othello’s own profound sense of justice and jealousy, render him an easy target of his Iago’s influence, while Desdemona’s innocence, naivety and strong willed nature allow her also to be an active instigator of her own death and Othello’s deep-rooted passions cause him to oscillate between love …show more content…

The common thread evident in Shakespearean tragedies is the downfall of the hero caused by his hamartia, in Othello’s case being his jealousy and his overdeveloped sense of justice. At the beginning of the play Othello’s heroic qualities are foregrounded as he defends his honor in his decision to marry Desdemona, his strong emotive language highlighting the depth of his emotions in blindly placing his trust in her, “But let your sentence even fall upon my life,” Repeatedly Othello demonstrates the value he places in her fidelity, when he says, “My life upon her faith.” Dramatic irony is evoked here as the audience is aware of Iago’s plan and realise that Othello has unintentionally foretold the future. Iago plants the seeds of doubt that catalyse Othello’s demise, baiting his insecurities through jealousy. When Othello pronounces, “Her name, that was as

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