Appearances and assumptions in Shakespeare's Othello

Appearances and assumptions in Shakespeare’s Othello

Brian Lockyer

In Othello, William Shakespeare focuses a lot on the theme of appearance versus reality. Othello, along with other characters in the play, depend on their eyes, and with that they jump to big assumptions. There are many times in the play where there is concealed uncertainty, meaning the character assumes that what their eyes tell them is everything, hence, Looks can be very deceiving.

Iago's reputation plays a very key role in the play. Everyone assumes Iago is an honest man. “O, that's an honest fellow “, "You advise me well ........ Goodnight
honest Iago ““that's an honest fellow ““I know thou'rt full of love and honesty ".
Iago has everyone fooled into believing that he is a dignified honest man. Without this
reputation of being honest he could never get Othello to believe that Desdemona was
cheating on him. Othello would have probably killed him if he didn't have the reputation
of being an honest man. Iago knew that a significant man like Othello could not have ignored the prospect that his wife was cheating on him. Nobody suspects that Iago is a deceitful man and that he would scheme and plan to destroy the characters of Othello, Cassio and Desdemona in such a cunning and cruel way. Iago uses his reputation, as well as the insecurities of Othello, to allow him to manipulate and ultimately destroy Othello.

Othello has a reputation of being a military man, and a courageous leader. "Valiant
Othello, We must straight employ you..." "Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor." Othello was chosen when they went to fight the Turkish fleet. It was due to his reputation that people accepted his relationship with Desdamona. It was only when Iago started putting thoughts in Othello's head about Cassio and Desdemona being together did we see the other side of Othello’s personality begin to surface. Othello can not ignore these ideas about his wife being unfaithful as he trusts Iago and Iago had the reputation of being an honest man, Othello can’t ignore his doubts about Desdemona. Othello begins to doubt if Desdemona really loves him, or if she was just using him to revolt against Brabantio. As Iago’s poison gradually invades and destroys Othello’s mind, he is finally convinced that Desdamona has been unfaithful to him, and he kills her.

Michael Cassio is known to be a fine soldier who is very proud of is reputation. “Reputation, reputation, reputation”. Cassio however has a weakness for alcohol which Iago exploits thus resulting in Cassio getting involved in a fight. Othello dismisses him not knowing that it is all part of Iago’s plan to destroy Othello. Desdemona pleads Cassio’s case to Othello, because she knows him to be a good man. Iago exploits the fact that Desdemona is interceding on Cassio's behalf, to further infect Othello’s mind that
Desdemona is cheating on him, with Michael Cassio. Iago hopes that Othello will promote ...

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One of the first instances where the theme appearance versus reality appears is when Othello sees Cassio walking away very quickly after talking with Desdemona. The foundation around which Othello is doubtful comes from Iago. Iago plants seeds of doubt into Othello’s mind about Cassio and Desdamona by sneakily saying “…I cannot think it, that he would steal away so guilty like.” Othello then replies, “…I do believe ‘twas he.” However in reality, Cassio and Desdemona are actually talking about how to get Cassio’s job back.

A second example in the play where appearance versus reality presents itself is when Iago places Othello where he can see Cassio but cannot hear him. Iago then commences a conversation with Cassio about Bianca. Iago has been able to give Othello a reason for being angry at Desdemona. From a distance, it looks like Cassio is talking in a sexual way about Desdemona.

She was here even now. She haunts me in
Every place. I was the other day talking on the
Sea-bank with certain Venetians, and thither comes,
The bauble. (By this hand, she falls) thus about my
Neck!

In reality, Othello sees this conversation from afar and says in disbelief, ‘O dear Cassio,’ as it were, his gesture imports it.” Othello now believes everything that Iago has told him even though in reality it is all lies. He has all the necessary evidence he needs against Desdamona. This point in the play marks the beginning in Othello’s complete mental breakdown, Iago has completely brainwashed him with ludicrous and horrible ideas and has commenced the beginning of the end for the once almighty, and powerful moor.

One of the final occurrences of the theme appearance versus reality appears is when Lodovico comes into the play. Lodovico arrives to deliver a message for Othello to go back to Venice for the Turks have been defeated. Othello reads the letter “This fails you not to do, as you will.’” While Othello is reading the letter, Desdemona tells Lodovico about the goings since the arrival in Cyprus. Desdemona says, “Cousin, there’s fall’n between him and my lord. An unkind breach, but you shall make all well.” Othello hears what she says and threatens Desdemona by asking, “Are you wise?” He does not agree with Desdemona discussing these things with Ludovico. Othello, now in a huge rage, assaults Desdemona and storms out. Lodovico is very surprised that an honest, strong hearted man, who had so much passion and love for Desdemona could commit such an act. He comments to Iago,

Is this the noble Moor, whom our fill senate
Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature
Whom passion could not shake, whose solid virtue
The shot of accident nor dart of chance
Could neither graze nor pierce?

Iago then talks behind Othello’s back saying that he has changed a lot and starts blaming Othello for his own change. Ludovico assumes that Othello has changed a lot because striking your wife is an inconceivable crime. But like most characters in the play, he is unaware of the poison that Othello has been fed. This event is the last occurrence of the theme appearance versus reality. From this point onwards, the truth starts to emerge.

Appearance versus reality is a key idea in this play. Not only are looks deceiving, but they cause trouble, trouble that is often unfixable. People nowadays, just like those in earlier years jump to unnecessary conclusions just by seeing and assuming. It is therefore vital to obtain all the facts before assuming something as disasters may occur just like in Othello. One of the many lessons we can take from Othello is that seeing isn’t always believing.

Peer Reviews

Here's what a star student thought of this essay

groat

20th of Feb 2012

Quality of writing

This essay has an okay structure, having a clear introduction and conclusion. However, each paragraph is just another example of appearances and assumptions in the plot. I would've like to have seen a deeper discussion within each paragraph about the significance on the play and the audience. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are fine, but I would advise against using long quotes as this essay sometimes has.

Level of analysis

The analysis in this essay is weak. I would make it clear that simply quoting the text does not count as analysis. The quotes need to be analysed, and in particular language and imagery needs to be addressed. Shakespeare uses plenty of language techniques and images throughout, so it was a shame not to see any close analysis here. The weakness lies in the essay retelling events - showing awareness of the assumptions of the plot will not gain you any marks. If I was doing this essay, I would say you must address the audience's response to Othello's assumption that Desdemona has been unfaithful. A simple discussion of the audience feeling sympathy for Desdemona and fear of what Othello may do, and thus a hatred for Iago, would gain credit. It is also key to address the significance of assumptions - without assumptions the tragedy would occur, and this is arguably Othello's hamartia. Discussion of such technical terms will gain credit. I'd like to note that showing awareness that Othello is a play is key, and this can be easily done by mentioning character's presence on stage.

Response to question

This essay ably engages with the task in respect to the appearances and assumptions used in the plot, however it is missing the discussion of this significance or its dramatic effect on the audience. Although the question doesn't explicitly ask for a discussion, without doing so and simply narrating the plot, you will only gain low levels of marks. I would like to note that this a key problem when doing an essay on themes - essays tend towards acknowledging the themes throughout rather than analysing the effect on the audience and why Shakespeare uses them.

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