Why does Othello believe what Iago tells him about his wife?
Why does Othello believe what Iago tells him about his wife?
The essay title refers to one of the most important parts of the play, because it focuses on the three main characters with the most controversy Iago, Othello and Desdemona. Iago was able to affect the lives of both Othello and Desdemona. He had direct influence on Othello through his contact and 'relationship' with him, but he causes the death of Desdemona. It is never mentioned whether he intended to kill Desdemona, however he is ultimately responsible for the deaths of Desdemona, Emilia, Roderigo, and Othello himself. The deaths were caused through Iago's deceit. It raises the point of whether Iago brings out Othello's jealous side, or whether Iago puts part of himself into Othello through what he tells Othello. One of the main points of play is how Othello changes from a brave, honourable soldier to a conspirator and murderer.
Iago is motivated by jealousy. He is jealous of Othello because he believes Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. He is also jealous of Cassio because Othello made him lieutenant, the post, which Iago believed, he deserved. He used these reasons to seek revenge. Iago tells the audience in one of his soliloquies "I hate the Moor", and he shows his hatred of Othello in the opening scene of the play. Iago refers to Othello as "the Moor", and makes many racist comments about him such as "Barbary horse" and "an old black ram".
When talking to Othello, Iago does not use the same language as he did to Roderigo and Brabantio in Act one scene one. His coarse, animal words are not used, and his comments are not as cruel.
Othello is completely unaware of Iago's hatred of him, and sees him as a trusted friend and helper:
"A man he is of honesty and trust.
To his conveyance I assign my wife".
These comments, when considering how Iago had spoken of Othello in prior conversations, make Othello seem naive as to what Iago is doing to him. Othello's characters in the early parts of the play are shown to be quite calm, poised, noble and confidant. Many characters refer to him as being "noble". When Brabantio accuses Othello of enchanting Desdemona, he reacts in a calm way. Othello's speech in Act one Scene three also shows his calm demeanour. The opening line of his speech shows this:
"Most potent, grave, and reverend seigniors,
My very noble and approved good masters"
There is a steady pace in his words, and the speech is almost in verse. If Brabantio's accusation of Othello enchanting Desdemona were true, Othello's reaction would probably not have been so calm. He makes a very direct statement in front of the senate, which a man whom was concealing something would be unable to make. His calm and collectiveness, is an accurate analysis of what Othello's character is like at the beginning of the play. In that speech Othello appears proud of ...
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"Most potent, grave, and reverend seigniors,
My very noble and approved good masters"
There is a steady pace in his words, and the speech is almost in verse. If Brabantio's accusation of Othello enchanting Desdemona were true, Othello's reaction would probably not have been so calm. He makes a very direct statement in front of the senate, which a man whom was concealing something would be unable to make. His calm and collectiveness, is an accurate analysis of what Othello's character is like at the beginning of the play. In that speech Othello appears proud of what he is and what he has done, but he does not attempt to look superior, he still displays respect for the senate by calling them noble.
The Duke and Senators respect Othello. The Duke gives Othello supreme charge of the defence of Cyprus because the Duke knows Cyprus is safe in Othello's hands.
"A more sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you".
Desdemona loves Othello. This is shown in the council scene when she expresses her wish to accompany Othello on his trip to Cyprus. She uses, strong, passionate words, and tells the Duke:
"The rites for which I love him are bereft me"
The speech made by Desdemona shows the extent of her love for Othello, and is given the impression that Desdemona would not have an affair behind Othello's back. Desdemona's speech, however, could be a scheme to make Othello believe that she loves him.
The most important scene in the play is Act three Scene three. When the scene opens, Desdemona and Cassio are talking. Iago uses this meeting to begin to convince Othello of Desdemona's infidelity. Iago comments to Othello:
"Ha! I like not that"
Iago then comments that it could not be Cassio who left because Cassio would not disappear so quickly. However, Cassio would quickly leave, to avoid embarrassment by talking to Othello following his drunken behaviour the previous night. Othello slowly begins to provoke the jealousy through his responses to Othello's questions. He is reluctant to answer Othello's questions about Cassio. This makes Othello remark:
"As if there were some monster in his thought...Thou dost mean something"
This makes it appear that Iago is being forced to tell Othello, rather than Iago reporting back to him for his own pleasure. When Iago is conversing with any of the characters, he is merely, acting out deceitful sympathy by offering his advice.
"His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift," Desdemona says of Othello; these statements highlight Desdemona's determination to set things right. In this scene, Iago begins his plotting to make it seem like Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. However, Iago refrains from saying very much;
"I cannot think it that he would steal away so guilty-like"
That is the most incriminating thing he says about Cassio. He makes Othello start to think uneasy thoughts by saying, "I like not that" about Cassio's exit."
Iago begins to echo Othello, which makes Othello even more uneasy. He asks questions that are related to the issues at hand, such as whether Desdemona and Cassio have known each other for a while. In Othello's state, he believes Iago's statements of nothing to be a real attempt to hide the truth about what is going on; he does not realize that Iago's statements are all designed to make Othello jealous.
"Thou echoest me, as if there was some monster in thy thought,
too hideous to be shown"
Iago says that he believes Cassio is "honest"; yet again, this word sets Othello off, and Iago's fake uncertainty in his tone makes Othello think that Cassio lies. Iago then asks;
"Who has that breast so pure that some uncleanly apprehensions
keep leets and law days."
Specifically Iago soon addresses jealousy, a major theme, especially with regards to Othello;
"It is the green-eyed monster,"
The "green-eyed monster" becomes a symbol representing Othello's dark feelings, a spectre lurking in his mind and beginning to steer his behaviour. Iago's speech is also deeply ironic, since it points out Othello's failings, and the root of his tragedy. Othello has no idea of the significance of these statements, and so neglects to take them to heart, this begins to further mislead Othello
Othello is deeply insecure about his personal qualities and his marriage, as insecurity becomes a theme that weakens his resolve not to doubt Desdemona. Othello uses his black skin as a symbol for how poorly spoken and unattractive he thinks he is. All of his claims are very much beside the point; his words are actually more complex and beautiful than those spoken by any other character in the play. Othello doubts that Desdemona could love him, because of his misconception of himself as being uncouth, poorly spoken, and old; and because he begins to believe that Desdemona cannot love him, he starts to believe her guilty of infidelity. The leap is great, but it is all a product of Othello's own insecurities and his incorrect conception of himself, another theme of the play. How Othello sees himself directly influences how he views.
The handkerchief, the most important symbol and object in the play. The handkerchief, to Desdemona, symbolizes Othello's love, since it was his first gift to her. Othello thinks that the handkerchief, quite literally, is Desdemona's love; and when she has lost it, that must clearly mean that she does not love him any longer. The handkerchief also becomes a symbol of Desdemona's alleged betrayal. Othello takes it as the "ocular proof" of her dishonesty, which is a mistake.
Othello demands that Iago prove Desdemona unfaithful by actually seeing evidence of her guilt. But Iago, ever clever and persuasive, manages to work around this completely; he plays off of Othello's jealousy, telling him stories that damn Cassio and mention the handkerchief, which make Othello angry and distract him from the fact that he has seen no proofs at all. Othello trusts Iago's words to convey proof, and is thwarted by Iago's dishonesty; yet, Othello only realizes later that he has been tricked and has seen no proof, when it is too late for him to take his actions back. Othello, already in doubt of his wife's honour, falls into this affected trap; Iago is now free to criticize Desdemona through suspicion, with only the smallest bit of visible evidence.
Othello suspects his wife's speech, and Cassio's as well. He is distracted from suspicion of Iago, even though it is Iago's language, which has taken away Othello's ability to speak because of overpowering grief and jealousy. Othello begins to lose his power over himself, and over others, when he loses his words and this acknowledgment marks a huge shift in the balance of power between Othello and Iago, as Iago becomes more dominant in the relationship, and begins to steer Othello.
Othello abandons his reason in judging Iago's "proofs," and his abandonment of speech also marks a descent into confusion. Although it is a chaos controlled by Iago, still, order and reason are on the losing side; raging emotions and speculations begin to rule Othello's fate, as he comes closer and closer to his tragic end.
Looking back at the play, it is obvious that Othello is incredibly quick to believe what Iago tells him about Desdemona and Cassio's supposed affair. Which would suggest that Othello is a naturally jealous person. However, by examining the text, it is clear that Othello does not fully recognize Iago's comments until he has doubt about his own importance. He is made to believe that he is inferior because of his colour. He doesn't display signs of mistrust until he has doubts about his own reputation and character.
I do not believe that Othello was naturally jealous. I believe that his mind was corrupted by Iago's shrewdness, his apparent honesty and his good fortune with certain events occurring that he could control. He is definitely the 'puppeteer' at the end of the play; he uses his mind games to control his 'puppets', which are the other characters in the play. They were easy to manoeuvre, because they only saw the act that Iago put on for them. The audience knew of Iago's wrong doings, so could see his change in character. His main 'puppet' is Othello, whom he controls so much, that part of Iago is in fact groomed into his own persona. It does appear that Iago brainwashes Othello, which explains why Othello is so easily manipulated. But, this seems impossible, when you consider how strong of a character Othello appears to be at the beginning of the play. It is only when Othello is allowed to have his own doubts that Iago's 'mind games', effect him. In conclusion, Othello did had some doubt as to his wife's faithfulness, his doubts are based on his own insecurities, and he does not show signs of loving her any less. However, his mind is polluted by Iago's sick, twisted games, which like many Shakespeare plays, ended in tragedy.
