Interpretation of Othello Essay

There are a number of ways of interpreting Othello depending on the context of the times and the values and attitudes to which one is drawn. These are the factors which make any production appealing

Explain how your interpretation of Othello has been affected by your study of critical theories and/or by your own personal response to the play.

The play Othellos characters are all too quick to jump to conclusions and are too easily convinced, creating tragedy. This idea is represented throughout the play and in all the characters. Through studying the critical theories one can understand why the characters act this way, to a point. This essay will detail how I have come to understand Othello as a depiction of characters who too easily believe, as they have faith they will benefit, yet most die as a consequence.

Iago is seen as the protagonist of the play, convincing many to do his will, yet he acts this way as he too has been too quick to assume: in his case that his wife was unfaithful. This information is given to us in Act I: twixt my sheets hes done my office, but is followed up with an admission of how he has made this evaluation so hastily.

Through the study of political and historicist critical theories I believe Iago acted this way as he believed Othello was undeserving of the role of General. When Othello married Desdemona, Iagos sinister racist opinions surfaced as he was unhappy in his marriage (which he openly admits to in Act II when he publicly defames her); however Othello was happy. Jealousy overtook Iago, because Othello, a black man who had a happier marriage and a higher ranking position was undeserving. Through Shakespeares choice of language we see how Iago was convincing, for example in Act III, Othello has to pry information from Iago, yet we as the audience understand Iago is more than willing to tell Othello.

Brabantio is the clear first character to jump to conclusions. In Act I: Thou has enchanted her in chains of magic sums up his theory of how his daughter Desdemona could marry Othello willingly. This assumption, in the context of 16th century, is reasonable and punishable by death, and in more modern contexts would still be taken seriously.

By reading the introduction to The Arden Shakespeare version of Othello, one can see, through understanding that using magic and potions was punishable by death in the 16th century and that the black man was not common in these times, why Brabantio has jumped to this conclusion. This assumption would have to be heard before noblemen until Othellos name could be cleared. Also, the use of magic could not easily be proven or disproven. The mysteriousness of the black General with his tales of battles, sieges, fortunes and travailous history would easily be seen capable of magic.

Othellos downfall in the play is how Iago so quickly and easily convinced him of Desdemonas infidelity. We, as the audience, can see Othello slowly falling, through his change of language; his initial lengthy speeches give way to short syllabic outbursts. Shakespeare has used this change of language to convey Othellos loss of confidence, his stress and how obviously distracted Othello is. Jealousy may have played a hand in this but if Othello had questioned Iagos story he would have easily found holes in it. It is Othellos naivety to his feelings of love that allow him to believe the confident Iago as his inexperience has made him vulnerable, especially to jealousy.

Desdemona is easily convinced by everyone around her. She seems the most impressionable character and ends up dead because of it. She not only believes Othellos romantic view of himself, she believes Emilia didnt take the handkerchief and that Cassio is innocent, immediately taking his side and willing to stand up for him without knowing much information.

In a modern context, we find Desdemona unendearing as she has so many door mat qualities, yet when considering the 16th century context we understand that she was the dutiful wife. In Act I, the modern audience feel uplifted that she has challenged her father and the cultural norms to marry for love which leads to feelings of frustration as she becomes more and more submissive. The 16th century audience may have felt the reverse; frustration at a young woman breaking away from what seems like a good life, followed by relief that she is a dutiful wife, who continues to be a dutiful wife until her dying breath.

Roderigo is victim to Iagos convincing yet he initially seems to be gaining confidence in his situation from it. In Act I Iago convinces Roderigo that there are better ways to go about a broken heart than drowning oneself. Although Roderigo is further convinced to sell all his assets, follow Iago to Cyprus and kill Cassio, he ultimately holds power over Iago as he knows of how much Iago hates Othello. He is therefore a liability, able to incriminate Iago at any time.

Roderigo and Iagos relationship is a confusing tangle of goodwill and selfish intentions. Roderigo hangs on to Iago because he feels indebted as Iago talked him out of suicide and he is the only link Roderigo has to Desdemona. Iago uses Roderigo because he knows Iagos secret, is able to use him for money (my fool my purse; Act I) and needs Roderigo close as he knows too much; which ultimately leads to his death.

Emilia is the least gullible of the characters, yet is still under her husbands thumb. When she takes the handkerchief, knowing only that her husband wanted it and not why, we see how much he has convinced her. This is demonstrated in Act III, firstly when she says I nothing, but to please his fancy but also when Iago asks if she has stolen it and she replies she let it drop by negligence I being here, tookt up. This shows how far her love for him extends, and how ignorant she is. Both Emilia and Othello leave us feeling frustrated that they didnt question what they were told. Both end up dead after realising that they were conned.

Cassio can be seen as the unfortunate victim who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was promoted at the end of the play to restore order to society. However he too is convinced by Iago; to drink when he knows full well the consequences drink has on him. The consequences may not be as controlled as Iagos other persuasions yet still delivered the desired effect.

Bianca, who is not seen in the play often, is still seen to jump to conclusions. In Act IV, Bianca immediately jumps to the conclusion that the handkerchief is some token from a newer friend. This is ironic, as Iagos lies are better believed than Cassio telling the truth; and later proves that the truth is the better option, as Bianca and Cassio are the only couple left standing at the end of the play.

Through the study of each character, we see that each one gains from jumping to conclusions quickly or being too easily convinced. Roderigo gains a link to Desdemona or the hope that he still has a chance through believing Iago; Emilia gains a happy house and husband by staying with Iago and doing his bidding; Cassio wanted to drink in the first place and the gentle nudge was all he needed; Brabantios assumption of enchantments stalls the marriage and gives him hope; Iago gains an excuse, through believing that Emilia was unfaithful, to hurt Othello; Othello couldnt see past his career and what people thought of him; Desdemona gained attention and a new lifestyle; and Bianca gained reassurance of her and Cassios relationship.

In conclusion, through the study of Othello and using critical theories to develop an understanding, we can see that the characters of the play all jump to conclusions. They are too easily convinced; however, they believe they will benefit for their own reasons and justifications. We, as a modern day audience, can relate to this and although many of the characters die as a consequence of their beliefs, their intentions are initially to gain power, stature, love or money.

'Othello' by William Shakespeare