My line of argument to whether is jealously solely to blame is no. I believe there were many other key factors to the tragic killings of decent, kind and wise characters. I wi8ll set out to prove that incomprehension and Iago’s pathological ways led to the downfall of Othello and the tragedies surrounding him.
Jealousy played a big part into the tragedies of Othello but there were many other elements and factors which made me choose my line of argument. That jealousy isn’t solely to blame. One key point was fate as most of Iago’s diabolical plans were down to a lot of luck and little things that he can twist sneakily to back up the lies that he tells. The best possible example of this was when Iago knowing Othellos fatal flaw is jealousy said that Cassio has committed adultery with the chaste Desdemona Othello’s wife. This took place in the dungeon Iago very smartly knowing Cassio was sleeping with Bianca asked Cassio how was she but because Othello was listening in the background and Iago cleverly whispered Bianca’s name to Cassio. So Othello thought they were talking about Desdemona so Othello became so overwhelmed he jumped to the wrong conclusion due to jealousy and thought Cassio was having an affair with his wife.
“With as little a web as this I will ensure a great as fly as Cassio”.
Iago is saying although there is very little evidence a jealousy minded person would fall in to his trap. Meaning Othello whom is listening in the background the problem with Othello is he is a slave of passion and he does not seek the truth but acts on his emotions.
Another factor was trust as in cases there was loads of trust in people and in other cases there was little trust at all. For example the infatuated Rodrigo trust Iago to find out whether the chaste Desdemona like him. But Iago doesn’t find this out he just led Rodrigo along this is ironic as later on Rodrigo loses his life to someone he trusts Iago, when he shouldn’t of trusted him. There is a strong trustworthy relationship between Cassio and Desdemona (as friends). Othellos lack of understanding and lack of trust for his wife misjudges this and also allows Iago to persuade him to think that they are having an affair. Othello is so easily persuaded because he believes Iago is a good honest man this is so ironic. As Iago says.
“I hate the moor and it is thought a broad that twixt my sheets his done my office”.
This is evidence of Iago’s racist hatred and explicit hostility towards the Othello. Shows Iago’s paranoid insecurity that he is suspicious of everyone and wants revenge on Othello and do anything to get it.
People’s weaknesses, which led to the downfall, was a key point. Iago was one of Shakespeare’s best antagonists in my opinion and recognized peoples Achilles heels and targeted them very well. There Achilles heels could be lack of trust incomprehension or jealousy Iago would take advantage of this in away no other Shakespearean character could and has done. As jealousy was Othello’s Achilles heel Iago also said his Achilles heel is jealousy
“I confess it is my natures plague to spy into abuses and off my jealousy shape faults that are not”.
Iago admitting he to suffer from jealousy that he can be paranoid and jump to the wrong conclusions. This has led to Iago’s sadistic revenge on Othello has he believe Othello has slept with his wife Emilia.
In my opinion pride had a massive part in the play. As Iago is very unhappy that Cassio is a higher ranking in the Venetian army compared to him. As Iago believes he is a greater man than Cassio which is far from true. Iago sets out to get him in trouble knowing that Cassio’s Achilles heel is he gets drunk very easily Iago persuades Cassio to have a few drinks with him. This makes Cassio drunk and he stabs someone. Iago pretends to be sympathetic knowing his evil, diabolical and manipulative ways got Cassio a good man demoted. Othellos pride is also at lost as he is accused of being ‘unbookish’ being unable to read or write this is because he is black and known as the moor.
Another massive part to blame for the tragedies is incomprehension as many people were not aware of the deceit and insane ways of Iago. If there were more communication when Iago was saying that Desdemona is committing adultery between Othello and Desdemona then maybe they wouldn’t have died. And maybe if people were talking abut what was going on around them they might of come to the solution of who was causing the problems.
I discussed the things I have discussed the way I did because I enjoyed reading Othello. It was boring at first but a times it was interesting I believe that I have learnt a lot and it has taught me a lesson communication trust and good understanding of things are good in life. The main things to back my point of view are most of Iago’s plans were due to fate and luck without this some of the tragedies could never of happened. Another is incomprehension because I feel if there was greater understanding and more communication a lot of things could have been reduced massively. At the end of the essay everything I believe is Iago should be punished the way he did having a lifetime in prison letting him know how people suffer.
I Finish my essay by asking you if Othello is a kind noble man if so. Then why did he kill his fair chaste wife Desdemona…
By Billy Saunders