Othello: Did Othello(TM)s Nobility Lead Unto His Own Demise?

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Did Othello’s Nobility Lead Unto His Own Demise?

The term “dolt”, is an explicit word to be used for one who misinterprets another’s motives. But for one with such an immense sense of authority such as Othello, can one really say much about him, that he is a mere “dolt” as Emilia calls him in Act V?

The mentality and destructive ability of manipulating, is one of the key practices which Iago uses in his many strategy’s to arrest Othello’s mind, in order to acquire his attention. Othello’s naivety is just one of the factors which allows Iago to pervert his mind further. However, in Act III Scene 3, Iago himself states, “Men should be what they seem.” Hitherto, it is ironic of him to say so, for he then continues with “Or those that be not, would they might seem none!”, for this is the precise quotation that one should put forward to describe the deceitful and hypocritical Iago.

On the contrary, Othello’s foreign origin and insecurity are keys to his apprehensions. Nonetheless, during Act III Scene 4, Iago has already begun to devise his heinous plan, in order to diminish Othello. Othello’s lack of knowledge about Venetian people (primarily women), is something which Iago has knowledge of, and which he uses in a Machiavellian way. His origin is that of Africa, which ties in with his insecurity, as he may think aside to himself, “I’m not of Venetian origin, yet Iago is. So how do I know whether these women are tainted or not?”  These very thoughts could raise his doubts towards his belief of whether Desdemona is deceiving him or not.

The women in Venice were described as goats, monkeys and wolves by Iago, as these animals were considered as very sexed by the people at that period of time. Moreover, the quotes about women and Sexual Intercourse that are uttered from Iago’s mouth, implies that he has a very animalized view of Sex, and barbaric views about women which places him in the misogynist category. At one stage in the play, he tells Othello that Venetian women are not what they seem. They are like animals, moving from one man to another, when they are sated from his body. Furthermore, he speaks in innuendo, yet he does not intend to say what he means to, which makes Othello evermore hungry and obsessive to hear Iago’s very thoughts.  This is what makes him insinuating. Because of his incredible skill of manipulating, Iago can hone in on ones weaknesses, which in Othello’s case he quickly figures out that it is jealousy. In fact, Othello in his proprietarily attitude to his wife, was only too typical of men in his time. Even now, many men are the same.

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In addition, because of Iago’s utter dislike towards his general, it gradually drove him to accomplish his motives and to fulfill his desires all the more.  “I hate him as I do hells pains”, he admits. Iago acknowledges that Othello is dignified, and his marriage with Desdemona will be fruitful, but save for the fact that he is righteous, he still resents him.  “Twixt my sheets… office”, says Iago in Act I Scene 2, meaning that he thinks Othello has slept with his wife. Until now, from the perspective of the audience, they all know that this is a false ...

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