Othello is Torn by a Terrible Dilemma. He is Between the Demi-devil Iago and the Angelic Desdemona. Why does he choose wrongly? Support your Argument with Appropriate References from the Play.
Othello has something of the structure of a morality play, with Othello caught between Desdemona and Iago, the good angel and the evil angel. Iago is the the master of appearances which he seeks to exploit as realities; Desdemona, cares nothing for appearances. (Routledge 68) Othello stands between the two seeing appearances and realities as indissoluble, the object of the attentions and the assumptions of both. The play is said to be largely a contrast between illusion and reality.
From the first scene of the play Othello is not a part of the action which involves Iago and Roderigo even though it concerns him, he is mentioned only as he and him. At the end of this first scene he is referred to in terms of his race; black ram, Barbary horse, and thick lips respectively. Othello himself appears in the beginning of the second scene and still his name is not mentioned until later in scene three when he is referred to as valiant Othello by the Duke of Venice. In Cyprus, Othellos ship will be the last to arrive in Act 2 scene 1 and he will stand away while Iago and Cassio supposedly discusses Desdemona in Act 4 scene 1. Lastly when he is not there to see for himself he assumes that Cassio is dead after the fight takes place in Act five scene 1. In all of these instances Othello is outside of the occurrences and according to Sparknotes he is a cultural and racial outsider in Venice. Othellos status as an outsider may be the reason he is such easy prey for Iago. (Sparknotes)
Othellos dilemma is very much his own; initially he is presented to the reader as a man who is at peace with himself and this is seen as he responds to Iagos call to go inside from a confrontation with Desdemonas father, to which he replies:
Not I; I must be found.
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul
Shall manifest me rightly. (Othello Act 1 Sc. 2)
Othello asserts that he is a man one with himself. There is no dichotomy between the outward man and the innermost being (Cambridge 9) Why then does he trust Iago more than his wife Desdemona and allow himself to be persuaded to kill her for her supposed unfaithfulness. This paper will examine the reasons why Othello chooses wrongly.
It has already been shown that Othello is man sure of himself, but beneath this certain facade is a man who seems to be aware of and even self-conscious of his difference. Rude am I in my speech, / And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace. (Othello Act 1 Sc.3) His marriage to Desdemona can be viewed as the high point of Othellos acceptance into the Venetian society hence his unconscious preoccupation with his blackness is demonstrated when he begins to suffer the effects of his insecurities. Haply for I am black. (Othello Act 3 Sc. 3) showing that his perception of his self-worth has become heavily built on Desdemona's virtue. (Megaessays)
The first reason that Othello places his trust in Iagos appearances, Iago: I am not what I am rather than in his wifes realities, Desdemona: And so much duty that my mother showed / To you, preferring you before her father, /So much I challenge that I may profess/ Due to the Moor my lord (lines 213-218) is his own insecurities involving both his place in Venetian society and within his marriage which Iago manipulates by playing on Othellos jealousy. Cassio had been dismissed by Othello after Iago manipulated a drunken fight in which Cassio had been involved. Iago convinced Cassio that the way to make up with Othello was through Desdemona. Exits Cassio after speaking with Desdemona at the same time Othello enters and enquires of Iago if that was Cassio leaving to which Iago replies: Cassio, my lord?... no, sure, I cannot think it, / that he would sneak away so guilty-like, seeing you coming. Here Iagos words imply to Othello that Cassio is sneaking away because he has something to hide in his relationship with Desdemona; this statement also places doubt in Othellos mind about the innocence of the dealings of his wife as it relates to her feelings for Cassio.
The next reason that Othello trusts Iago and holds him in high regard is exactly that; he trusts Iago based on the fact that they have known and fought together for many years; Iago: And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof; as opposed to his wife Desdemona whom he had not taken the time to truly know; Othello: She lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd, / And I lov'd her that she did pity them. (Othello Act 1 Sc. 3) Iago himself speaks of his relationship to Othello when he gives as a reason for his hatred that of being passed over for the post of lieutenant in favour of Cassio.
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.
And in conclusion,
Nonsuits my mediators: for certes says he,
I have already chosen my officer. (Othello Act1 Sc. 1)
Othello's implicit trust towards Iago is made clear as he trust his wife to Iagos care when he leaves to go to Cyprus on behalf of the Duke and people of Venetia. He holds firm belief and reliability in Iago's statements and thoughts thus confiding in him regularly. (Megaessays)
Finally and most impressive is what Othello was made to see for himself; Othello is presented with proof that Cassio and Desdemona were having an affair. Previously Iago had allowed Othello to witness a quarrel between Cassio and Bianca over a handkerchief given to her (Bianca) by Cassio. The kerchief was Othellos first gift to Desdemona; Desdemona had dropped it and her maid who is also Iagos unloved wife gives it to her husband as a means of gaining his affection. Iago stimulates Othello to imagine the physical act of infidelity before returning to the flimsy substance of the handkerchief to secure the link between it and Desdemonas honour. (Cambridge 40) In the final deed, Iago first lies to Othello as he describes a supposedly innocent scene, one wherein there is nothing wrong if friends kiss in private as they lie naked in bed; it is here he introduces the final nail to coffin wherein will lie the trust of a husband to his wife; the handkerchief. Previously Desdemona had lost her handkerchief and enquired of her maid, Iagos wife who having gave it to her husband said she did not know of its whereabouts.
Unbeknownst to Othello, this was the final part of Iagos elaborate plan to exact his revenge against him. Iago claims that Cassio lies with Desdemona and on hearing this the distraught Othello collapses in an epileptic fit; My lord is falln to an epilepsy (Act 4 Sc. 1) Othello he is literally at his lowest, writhing on the ground with Iago ascendant. (Cambridge 40) Cassio enters and is sent away, rebuffed as Iago shows his favour with Othello wherein he has replaced Cassio. Iago later calls Cassio in again after he tells Othello to listen unseen on the side. Othello listens and hears only what Iago intends for him to hear; Alas, poor rogue, I think i faith she loves me / She was here even now, she haunts me in every place / She falls thus about my neck. Othellos response to Iago after hearing this is How shall I murder him Iago?
Iagos plan is completely successful for true reasons unknown as Iagos reasons vary from justice forhis being passed over to Othello sleeping with his wife. What is certain is that he used his knowledge of Othellos weakness to bring him to obliteration by any measure necessary. His evil is done purely for the pleasure of seeing Othello and by extension Cassio and Roderigo in unbearable agony. Iago's wicked nature proves to be the key factor in destroying Othello by means of his (Iago) manipulation.
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