The conflicts between the main characters in Othello provide much of the tension and action in the play. Which is the force at the heart of these conflicts: excessive ambition, deep-seated jealousy, or racial prejudice? Alternatively, are there other, even more compelling forces at work? Give at least one textual reference to support your opinion, and write at least two meaty paragraphs (Remember to use Shakespeare's original text in your quotations, even if you have used the No Fear Shakespeare version to help you understand the language).
Trivia question of the week: What was historically spectacular about one of the productions of Othello in 1660?
Jenny
62 comments:
Meagan Prast VENS3A
At the beginning of the play it seems as if everything revolves around love and ambition. Othello, the prestigious military general who is praised by many, is madly in love with Desdemona. The two lovers secretly get married, they get exposed, ask for permission and eventually all’s well that ends well. Until the play takes a jump to the Island of Cyprus. The Moor gets called there to lead the armed forces in a sea battle against the Turkish Fleet. However, once they arrive at Cyprus, the Turkish fleet has already been destroyed by a heavy storm. While celebrating this unexpected and easy victory the plot begins to take a devastating twist: Iago, Othello’s ensign, starts to envy Othello’s victories and success. He starts to plot against him, supported by feebleminded Roderigo and Casanova Cassio.
Iago comes up with a plan to destroy the Moor by taking advantage of his devoted love for Desdemona. Iago makes use of the biggest downfall for most lovers: jealousy. From the moment he decides to make Othello jealous of Cassio and his, so called, love for Othello’s wife Desdemona, the tensions and actions in the play start to rise. Iago succeeds in his mission to destroy the Moor by filling him with jealousy and eventually making him kill his beloved wife out of this excruciating sin that has fallen upon him. Between the final act in which Othello kills his wife and the moment Iago first starts to plant the seed of jealousy into Othello’s mind, a lot of things happen that lead towards the tensional climax of the play. The act in which Iago expresses his feelings about the fictional tension between Cassio and Desdemona to Roderigo can be seen as the beginning of the tragic end and the big influence that jealousy has on the further developments in the play. Iago: “Besides, the knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after; a pestilent complete knave. And the woman hath found him already.” (Othello, Act 2 Scene 1 p. 62)
Iago referring to the green minds that look after Cassio foreshadows his plan to make use of jealousy to destroy Othello. Roderigo does not know of Iago’s true plans, for he himself is also in love with Desdemona, and believes him. Iago also foreshadows his plans to use Roderigo in the conspiracy by using the expression: folly. Both the green minds and folly imply that Iago is up to no good and willing to use whatever he can corrupt on his mission to eradicate the Moor.
ried
The conflicts between the main characters of the play all seem to be driven by deep-seated jealousy. For example, the conflict between Iago and Cassio. Iago envied Cassio for receiving the promotion Iago thought to be his as mentioned in Act 1, Scene 1: “And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, one Micheal Cassio, a Florentine (a fellow almost damned a fair wife) that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows more than a spinster – unless the bookish theoric, wherein the toged consuls can propose as masterly as he.”. This moment of jealousy is where Iago’s hatred for Othello starts to grow bigger and is the start in a chain of important event for the plot of the play. Jealousy is also the reason Iago is able to use Roderigo against Cassio, which is a small part of his plan to sabotage Othello as well.
Furthermore, Iago’s plan to destroy Othello is built on jealousy and resentment. Iago subtlety plants suspicion into Othello’s head of his wife cheating on him with Cassio. As he builds further on this by planting evidence and by letting Othello overhear out of contextual conversations with Cassio, Iago nourishes Othello’s distrust with his wife. Not only does this cause conflict between Othello and Desdemona and Othello and Cassio, it also enflames conflict within Othello himself. The conflict between the love and the hate he feels for Desdemona makes him irrational and therefore he is in no state to comprehend the evidence wisely. The deep-seated jealousy blinds him and even though Desdemona is pure and as innocent as she can be, he will not believe her over the so-called evidence he has seen and heard of her infidelity. Because of these actions, I believe it is jealousy that is the heart of the conflicts between the main characters.
All 3 of the mentioned conflicts can be found in the play.
In my opninion the racial prejudice and jealousy are the biggest themes.
The whole play is built around the jealeousy of Othello, which is put in motion by Iago.
"Lie with her! lie on her! We say lie on her, when
they belie her. Lie with her! that's fulsome.
--Handkerchief--confessions--handkerchief!--To
confess, and be hanged for his labour;--first, to be
hanged, and then to confess.--I tremble at it.
Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing
passion without some instruction. It is not words
that shake me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips.
--Is't possible?--Confess--handkerchief!--O devil!--
falls into trance "
You could also say that Iago himself is a jealeous person. He would like to be like Othello, allthough he has hard time admitting this.
Othello is often called names,because of his skincollor, but I personally find it hard to put this racism into perspective, because I know very little about the time the play was written in.
"What a full fortune does the thicklips owe
If he can carry't thus!"
Marieke van Lith DENS3A
The tension between Othello and Iago is in my opinion based on excessive ambition with deep-seated jealousy being the result of not being able to obtain and follow up on this ambition. As Iago is passed over for a promotion by Othello, the jealousy kicks in. Race is a much smaller aspect to it in my opinion. This comes in third as Iago is already angry with Othello, he resolves to calling him names. "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram. Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!"
Iago is also jealous of Casio since he is not a warrior. He hasn't been in battle, hasn't lead a war. It is also a matter of pride between men of battle. A man who has not been to battle is not fit to lead an army in Iago's eyes. "...that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows more than a spinster – unless the bookish theoric, wherein the toged consuls can propose as masterly as he.”
This is still true in today's politics. Look at the United States. The president is the leader of the US Army and it's commander in chief. Many people wish to have a president that served in the army. But then again, the the US, the army is something of an honor and prestige.
Noor Gudden DENS3A
In my opinion, Iago is very jealous of Othello because he is the person that decides over his position. Othello is the person that is standing in his way. The fact that Othello is a Moor makes him even more jealous. So all three factors play a role and influence each other. I would say the jealousy is most important, as Iago might know his plan is very risky and he might not succeed. If he really wants to be in command and take over Othello's position he would choose a more careful path. His jealousy drives him to put everything on the line in order to get rid of Othello. He doesn’t fear anything in his way. Desmedona and Emilia are both the victims of his reckless behavior.
The racial prejudice can be found in this passage (Iago’s quote):
These Moors are changeable in
their wills: fill thy purse with money:--the food
that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall be
to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must
change for youth: when she is sated with his body,
she will find the error of her choice: she must
have change, she must: therefore put money in thy
purse.
The jealousy can be found in this quote of Iago:
I do beseech you--
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess,
As, I confess, it is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not--that your wisdom yet,
From one that so imperfectly conceits,
Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance.
It were not for your quiet nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.
Trust that is broken by the misplacing of a handkerchief. The significant part that this handkerchief played was not clear to me at first. Until Othello explained his parents used it as symbol for faithfulness, then it was passed on to him. Since Desdemona received it as a gift of love from him it meant the same for their marriage.
Iago knows the importance of the object so he uses it to manipulate Othello’s trust in his wife. He knows this will work because Othello’s only flaw is his jealousy.
Why he did do this was unclear to me at first. After doing some research I found out I missed a key element of the play in its start: Iago is paid to get Desdemona to marry Roderigo. This put the play back in to perspective since I also believed Desdemona was unfaithful for some time, assuming that Iago only wanted to give proof to Othello.
In the end Desdemona takes responsibility for her own death. “O, who hath done this deed?”- Emilia in response to this Desdemona’s final words are, “Nobody, I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell” (V.ii.133–134) One might think she put this to words since she does feel responsible for losing the handkerchief and therefore for her murder. Yet it can also be viewed as a final act of submissiveness. If it had not been for all the jealousy felt by the characters all the deaths, including Desdemona’s would not have happened.
Kristie de Visser
VENS3A
I would say both jealousy and racial prejudice lie at the heart of these conflicts.
In the mere beginning Roderigo and Iago call Othello racial slurs, such as barbary horse and thick lips. Having said this, jealousy plays a big part aswell, as Iago has been passed over for promotion, beaten by Othello.
Quotes on race:
IAGO
Because we come to
do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll
have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse,
you'll have your nephews neigh to you, you'll have
coursers for cousins and jennets for germans.
[…]
I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are now making the beast with
two backs.
IAGO
Ay, there's the point. As, to be bold with you,
Not to affect many proposèd matches
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—
Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank,
Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural—
But pardon me—I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms
And happily repent.
Othello, the play by William Shakespeare, is a play ahead of its time where a form of acceptance is being portrayed in the form of the main character’s African heritage. A Moor in the trading business of Venice he walks amongst society as equal.
The role of women as represented in the play could be accredited with a rendition of early feminism. Desdemona defies her father by marrying Othello without his knowledge and is willing to defend this before him and others of high regard; “ I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband;” (1.3/ 184). With this sentence Desdemona makes her statement that is presumably made out of love for Othello. However, the love Desdemona feels for Othello is equally the start of her demise.
“Alas, he is betrayed, and I undone.” (5.2/ 78).
Desdemona has submitted herself to a marriage based on love, which is the exact thing that seems to be good to be true in Othello’s heart of hearts. Jealousy is the foundation of the marriage on which it arises and subsequently finds its downfall. With Othello being a minority in race and Desdemona a woman who chooses true love a tragedy is what unfolds.
Trivia question of the week: What was historically spectacular about one of the productions of Othello in 1660?
In the 1660 play of Othello the first ever woman named Margaret Hughes, performed in the role of Desdemona. Before this male actors solely performed the female roles.
Bea Viergever DENS3A
The main theme, in my opinion, in Othello is jealousy. All through the play jealousy is the main reason why everything falls apart. Ambition and racial issues also play a role in the conflict between Iago and Othello, but all through the play Iago causes grudge between the characters and is the main source of rumours and doubt.
The play starts with Iago claiming he hates Othello because Othello appointed Cassio military lieutenant instead of Iago.
Iago:
Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,
In personal suit to make me his Lieutenant,
Off-capped to him: and by the faith of man,
I know my price, I am worth no worse place.
But he, as loving his own pride and purposes,
Evades them with a bombast circumstance
Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,
And in conclusion
Non-suits my mediators. For ‘Certes,’says he,
‘I have already chose my officer.’
And was he? Forsoorh, a great arithmetician,
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric,
Wherein the toged consuls can propose
As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise,
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had th’election:
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds
Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd
By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
And I--God bless the mark!--his Moorship's ancient.' (Act 1, scene 1)
Later on in the first scene Iago claims to hate Othello because he suspects him of sleeping with his wife Emilia.
These charges are the source of Iago's jealousy towards Othello.
Iago keeps feeding jealousy and distrust and claims that Othello's wife, Desdemona had a relationship with Cassio, the lieutenant. Othello sees no other way than kill both his lieutenant and his wife and Iago is willing to help plan the events.
In the end, when Othello already has murdered Desdemona, he sees that Iago's lies are at the root of all misery and just before he stabs himself asks to be remembered as a man who was puzzled and did not know what he was doing instead of a man who was 'easily jealous'.
EMILIA
Thou hast not half that power to do me harm
As I have to be hurt. O gull! O dolt!
As ignorant as dirt! thou hast done a deed--
I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known,
Though I lost twenty lives.--Help! help, ho! help!
The Moor hath kill'd my mistress! Murder! murder!
Enter MONTANO, GRATIANO, IAGO, and others
MONTANO
What is the matter? How now, general!
EMILIA
O, are you come, Iago? you have done well,
That men must lay their murders on your neck.
GRATIANO
What is the matter?
EMILIA
Disprove this villain, if thou be'st a man:
He says thou told'st him that his wife was false:
I know thou didst not, thou'rt not such a villain:
Speak, for my heart is full.
IAGO
I told him what I thought, and told no more
Than what he found himself was apt and true.
EMILIA
But did you ever tell him she was false?
IAGO
I did.
EMILIA
You told a lie, an odious, damned lie;
Upon my soul, a lie, a wicked lie.
She false with Cassio!--did you say with Cassio?
IAGO
With Cassio, mistress. Go to, charm your tongue.
EMILIA
I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak:
My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed,--
All
O heavens forfend!
(act 5, scene 2)
Post above by Julia Karreman who was extremely anonymous
Dagmar Dubois, DENS3A
There are numerous indications throughout the play that exemplify the theme of jealousy. We can almost argue that the most prominent form of envy arises from circumstantial evidence which snowballed into a sequence of events and even ends up pushing Othello over the edge in which he takes his own life after taking that of his wife. The fact that Iago planted a seed in Othello’s mind that his wife had been unfaithful stems from Iago’s own insecurities. These insecurities (and perhaps the first and foremost reason Iago conjures up a plan to defy Othello) come from the fact that Othello chooses to surpass him as his military lieutenant. Iago claims to be far more qualified than Cassio as Cassio lacks real military experience:
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
(A fellow almost damn’d in a fair wife)
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster. Unless the bookish theoric:
Wherein the toged Consuls can propose
As masterly as he. Mere prattle (without practice)
Is all his soldiership. But he (Sir) had th’ election;
And I (of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds,
Christen’d, and Heathen,) must be be-leed and calm’d
By debitor, and creditor. This counter-caster,
He (in good time) must his Lieutenant be,
And I (God bless the mark) his Moorship’s Ancient
It could also be argued that the above quote is merely the spark that Iago needed to instigate his crusade to take down Othello by convincing Roderigo to help him. We later learn that Roderigo is jealous of Othello for marrying Desdemona and is thus happy to help Iago. Later, as Iago mentions his dislike of Othello because of his supposed relationship with Emilia, it brings in to question the real motive behind Iago’s bitter rage.
In my opinion, “the green eyed monster that doth mock/the meat it feeds on” (aka deep-seated jealousy) is the major force that moves the plot along: it influences or even controls the interactions between the characters at different levels and manners.
Iago is extremely jealous of Cassio, who is given the position he was aiming for, military lieutenant, even though Cassio lacks experience in battlefield. In addition, Iago suspects Othello of sleeping with his wife Emilia (“has done my office”) and shows his hatred towards Othello by stating:
“I hate the Moor,
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
'Has done my office. I know not if 't be true,
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety.”
Subsequently, seeds of jealousy are planted by Iago, when Othello is made to believe his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, ultimately resulting in the downfall of Othello when he murders his wife and takes his own life.
Even though the deep-seated jealousy seems like the main force of conflict, I cannot deny the presence of racial prejudice in this play. It seems like Othello is never referred to by his own name in act 1, but rather by a series of racial terms like “the thick-lips”, “the lascivious Moor”, “an old black ram” and “a Barbary horse”.
Ymke Went (DENS3/4A)
Claudia Crenshaw DENS3A
The Oxford Dictionary defines being jealous as “feeling or showing an envious resentment of someone or their achievements, possessions, or perceived advantages.” This feeling of resentment is central to the plot development in Othello. Shakespeare explores this human emotion, and allows it to drive the characters to commit unspeakable acts under its power. He invites us to witness how Iago’s jealousy of Othello drives him to manipulate the Moor into thinking that Desdemona does not love him, and in fact, loves Cassio. Othello is so blinded by Iago’s deviousness that he is driven to kill his beloved Desdemona. Furthermore, it drives Othello, the once proud and revered military leader, to take his own life. Iago’s jealousy of Othello’s power and prestige in spite of being an outsider to Venice is the seed that germinates, develops and resolves the storyline of Othello. Iago uses deception and psychological cunning to destroy Othello because he is envious of him. He plants the idea of jealousy in Othello’s mind when he states,
Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger,
But, oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts— suspects, yet soundly loves!
At this point in Act 3 when they are still enjoying the victory over the Turkish Army in Cyprus, Othello is still confident that he could not be susceptible to the proverbial “green-eyed monster”. However, the strong, revered and virtuous Moor is no less immune to its destructive influence than any weaker man. In fact, it can be said that this assurance he felt ultimately led to his demise. Othello was easy prey to Iago’s shrewdness and Machiavellian ambition. He was blinded by his jealousy, and never listened to the pleas of his love, Desdemona. He instead punished her for a perceived relationship with Cassio by murdering her. A once great strategic leader of military forces could no longer think clearly, and let his enemy lead him to his ultimate demise with relative simplicity. Iago understood his own jealous nature, and counted on Othello succumbing to its toxic influence. Just as Othello is going to take his own life he purports that he is not a jealous man,
I pray you, in your letters,
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely, but too well.
Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought,
Perplexed in the extreme.
Shakespeare adeptly shows how even the proudest and most confident of men can fall victim to the feelings of jealousy. It is unlikely that Othello’s wish to be remembered as someone not easily swayed by jealousy would ever be met.
So we understand the(/a) reason behind his bad intentions; Iago was overwhelmed with hate and jealousy. The poor lad, who worked his butt off and tried to cover every angle* to get that well-deserved promotion, got nothing in return. He’s furious because of this and aims his anger mainly on Othello, yet not that much on Casio. You’d think that he’d try to eliminate Casio and get his spot instead, but he aims all of his burning rage at Othello. Is it just about a promotion? Or is there something else that happened?
Iago goes at length to make sure Othello suffers. He even goes so far to tarnish a fair lady’s honor and tries to get her to commit adultery, as stated in act 1, scene 3:
IAGO
You can trust me. Go now and get cash. I told you before, and I’ll tell you again and again: I hate the Moor. I’m devoted to my cause of hating him, just as devoted as you are to yours. So let’s join forces and get revenge. If you seduce Desdemona and make a fool out of him, it’ll be fun for both of us. Many things may happen..
This in itself is a very specific way to get his revenge. Revenge, because he later states his suspicion of Othello and Emilia having an affair (or atleast a one night stand):
IAGO
Thou art sure of me. Go, make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted. Thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered.
If this were to be true, his scheme to get Roderigo and Desdemona together would be an ‘eye and eye’ way of revenge. So, jealousy together with vengeance, could be the motives of Iago.
*= Ironically, Emilia might have gone (on her own or Iago’s behest) and slept with Othello to assure Iago of that promotion. Maybe Iago wasn’t the only ambitious one, thus Emilia was trying her best to get her husband the best he can get… in any way possible.
Salim el Bouazzaoui
0880341
Karima Belkaid | 08188882 | DENS3A
Enviousness, the driving motor of the play.
Othello is a mighty brittle theater literature that shows what intolerance, but equally its passion, and - jealousy - the true driving force behind the piece can lead to. Iago, the Machiavellian villain organizes a feast of venom by creating a web of lies and intrigues. His actions and talks testify to the deadly efficiency of the right word at the right time. Iago, the architect of a masterpiece portrays a certain image of Desdemona and the art of deception finds it way. Jealousy is the main cause of the drama in Othello, since we experience at the beginning of the piece Iago's jealousy in the form of envy. He is jealous of Cassio because of his promotion and his feelings of being bypassed. He seeks for revenge upon Othello and Cassio and succeeds in his intentions.
IAGO
Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger,
But, oh, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts— suspects, yet soundly loves!
(Act 3, Scene 3)
Iago's timing is unprecedented and his words explode in Othello's head. Othello believes his ensign's fabricated lies, which leads to his jealousy, accompanied by a lot of feelings: fear, sadness, and inferiority due to the fact that Desdemona ¨deceives¨ him. He is so entangled in his jealousy that he becomes violent. In psychology, this form of sick blindness is called the Othello Syndrome: the delusion of infidelity of a spouse or partner.
Ed Kraak, DENS 3A
In my opinion excessive ambition, deep-seated jealousy and racial prejudice are all major themes in Othello. Ambition and jealousy are often entwined, for it is ambition that fuels competition and envy. The envy of Iago is enhanced by the fact that Othello is a black man ("thick-lips", "black ram", "lascivious Moor") in a society governed by white people.
Right at the start of the play, when Iago talks to Rodrigo, it becomes clear that Iago is bitter about being passed over for lieutenant in favor of Cassio.
And what was he?
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows. (1.1.18-23)
Iago sets out to 'destroy' Othello and Cassio in a very keen, manipulative way. He uses Rodrigo as a tool in his plot, for Rodrigo lusts after Othello's wife Desdemona (another example of jealousy).
Iago uses racist slurs when he wakens Brabantio with the news that his daughter Desdemona has eloped with Othello. When Iago says an "old black ram" (Othello) is "tupping" (sleeping with) Brabantio's "white ewe" (Desdemona), he plays on Elizabethan notions that black men have an animal-like, hyper-sexuality.
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.
Arise, I say! (1.1.97-101)
Although Othello is probably a Christian, Iago calls him "the devil," playing on a sixteenth century idea that black men were evil and that the devil often took the shape and form of a black man.
These are just two of many examples on jealousy and racism to be found in this play.
Trivia answer:
It marked the first time a woman was accepted on the English stage. Before this, all the characters, whether male or female, were played exclusively by men.
Martin Steegmans – Dens2A
Although it is easy to think that deep seated jealousy is the main force behind the conflicts in Othello it is actually excessive ambition. Roderigo has the ambition to be the lover of Desdemona. Iago has the ambition to move up in the ranks of the military and get higher praise than Cassio and Othello. Cassio has the ambition to make a career in the military as well. And Othello has the ambition to be a war hero and furthermore used this to woo his wife. I also believe Othello has another ambition and that is to be as successful in his love life as he was on the battlefield. All these ambitions lead to jealousy against each other. It almost seems like a case of ‘the grass is always greener…’.
We can read about these ambitions in and between the lines of Shakespeare’s Othello. Already in Act I, scene 1 Iago means he should have gotten the rank of Lieutenant. In the same scene we get to know that Roderigo has the ambition to woo Desdemona. He even gets so far he would kill for her, as we see learn in Act IV, scene 2. Cassio also cares a great deal about his reputation. This is shown most notably in Act II, scene 3 when Cassio curses himself for destroying his own reputation. We can read about Othello’s wooing through war stories in Act I, scene 3. Othello nonetheless feels threatened by other men and feels unease in his role as a husband. This leads him get jealous very quickly through the manipulation by Iago, such as can be seen in Act III, scene 3 when Othello sees Cassio walk away from Desdemona from a distance. All these ambitions lead to jealousy against each other. It almost seems like a case of ‘the grass is always greener…’.
On 8 December 1660 a professional actress named Margaret Hughes played the role of Desdemona. This was the first time in history a professional actress played on a public stage in England.
Throughout the play there are two stories involving jealousy. Though, both stories are in some ways entwined; I like to explain them separate.
The first example of jealousy involves Iago being jealous of Cassio, who’s chosen as Othello’s Lieutenant . Iago, who is convinced he should be Lieutenant tells Roderigo that he should be lieutenant for he is the most experienced one. For Othello’s chose he hates Othello and he wants to destroy him.
IAGO
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
A fellow almost damned in a fair wife,
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric,
Wherein the togèd consuls can propose
As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election;
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds
Christian and heathen, must be beleed and
calmed
By debitor and creditor. This counter-caster,
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be.
We find the other example of jealousy (and how strong this feeling can get) when Iago’s plan is beginning to work. Iago sets Othello up against his own wife, desdemona, by giving Othello the idea that Desdemona has been cheating on him. Othello’s jealousy, at the end, reaches its summit when he decides to kill his own wife for here apparent cheating on him.
Othello
Why, why is this?
Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No. To be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well.
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
For she had eyes, and chose me. No, Iago;
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And on the proof, there is no more but this:
Away at once with love or jealousy.
Ercan Yilmaz DENS3A
It looks as if the great forces that move the plot along are indeed “enormous ambition, deep-seated jealousy and racial prejudice”.
If you look at the motives of Iago, “the bad guy” of the play, it seems like ambition and jealously drive him to hate Othello. In the opening scene Iago clearly states why he despises Othello:
“In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capp’d to him: and, by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worse a place: But he; as loving his own pride and purposes, evades them, with a bombast circumstance Horribly stuff’d with epithets of war; And, in conclusion, nonsuits my mediators; for, “Certes,” says he, “I have already chose my officer.” And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,..”
Othello chose Cassio to be his Lieutenant over Iago himself. That confirms the idea of Iago being driven by ambition.
Later in the last paragraph of act 1, scene III, there is more reason (motivation) for Iago to hate Othello so much:
“I hate the Moor: And it is thought abroad, that ’twixt my sheets He has done my office: I know not if’t be true; But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety.”
The idea of racial prejudice is already noticed in act 1 as it seems like Othello is never referred to by his name but eventually by a series of racist terms, referring to his dark skin and his ‘barbarian nature’, such as: "the thick-lips",” a Barbary horse" and "the lascivious Moor". These notes create an image of an uncivilized barbarian Moor.
Answer trivia question: I believe this was the first time a woman played the role of Desdemona. Back then it was common for males to play female roles on stage.
Ambition, deep-seated jealousy and racial prejudice are all themes that can be found in Othello. Othello is a very proud and ambitious man he is proud about his achievements and the position he holds in the army. He is so proud and sure of his positions that he is not concerned about other speaking behind his back. His pride is his strength but will ultimately become his downfall. His pride is also hurt because he thinks Desdemona has been cheating on him. This greatly influences Othello’s actions.
“Let him do his spite.
My services which I have done the signiory
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know
(Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
I shall promulgate) I fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege, and my demerits
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
As this that I have reached... (1.2.20-31)”
I think his pride is even more powerful than his jealousy and that it is his pride that led him to kill Desdemona. Because he has lost his reputation. Sure, jealousy played a part, but it his pride that becomes his demise.
Then there is Lago and his jealousy. He is jealous of Othello and of who Othello is and what he does. He is a vindictive person and sets out to destroy Othello. One striking scene is when he sees Desdemona and Othello together, reunited:
: "O, you are well tuned now! / But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, / As honest as I am" (2.1.199-201).
He admits that he will destroy their lives. I especially liked how the sentence finishes “As honest as I am” because I think another theme that is very important in Othello is appearance versus reality. Everybody trusts Lago and all think he is loyal and honest. They buy into this charade without second thought. He manipulates all the other characters and is deceitful, mean and betrays all their trust.
Another theme that is important is good versus evil.
Lago is of course “pure evil”. I think Shakespeare uses religion in order to point out how “evil” Lago is. In Exodus God says: “I am that I am”. Lago states: “ I am not what I am” in contrast to what God said in Exodus. Letting the reader know that Lago is as evil as the devil.
"But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am” (Act 1, Scene 1)
Race and racism are also crucial themes in Othello. There is one quote Lago uses that is undoubtedly racist:
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe. (1.1.97-101)
Here, Lago is hinting at animal-like charactersistics in Othello, and perhaps creating irrational fear in Desdemona’s father of his (Othello’s) virility and sexuality by depicting him as a “ram”.
Because we come to
do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll
have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse,
you'll have your nephews neigh to you, you'll have
coursers for cousins and jennets for germans”
And:
“I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are now making the beast with
two backs.” (1.1.119; 129-131)
By using the words “barbary horse” as a racial slur, he is again depicts Othello as anima land hints at Desdemona having sex with Othello. He uses the line “making beasts with two back” as a metaphor to invoke unpleasant thought of two people of a different race being together. They are like beasts, them having sex together are like beasts having sex.
Hamilton Sousa Pires- DENS3A
Othello deals with many aspects, including ambition and jealousy. But while reading, I couldn’t help and wonder if the actions and feelings originated from these aspects would have been different if Othello hadn’t been a moor.
The character who most plainly show racism is Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, saying such things as:
“This is Venice. My house is not a grange…” (act 1, scene 1, line 119)
“She, in spite of nature,
Of years, of country, credit, every thing,
To fall in love with what she feared to look on!
It is a judgment maimed and most imperfect
That will confess perfection so could err
Against all rules of nature…” (act 1, scene 3, lines 114-119)
Concurrently, other characters let their racist bias shine through the dialogue. Iago often references animals, beasts when talking about Othello. Dehumanising him, turning him into a lesser thing. Even though he’s talking about his ambitions to rise in the ranks or his jealousy of Othello’s accomplishments, the language he uses references to racial bias.
“Because we come to
do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll
have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse…” (act 1, scene 1, lines 123-125)
“I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are now making the beast with
two backs. (act 1, scene 1, lines 129-131)
There’s even a point in which Iago suggests there might be something wrong with Desdemona if she wants to marry someone of the likes of Iago.
“Ay, there's the point. As, to be bold with you,
Not to affect many proposèd matches
Of her own clime, complexion, and degree,
Whereto we see in all things nature tends—
Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank,
Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural—
But pardon me—I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear
Her will, recoiling to her better judgment,
May fall to match you with her country forms
And happily repent.” (act 3, scene 3, lines 268-278)
There are many more examples to be found in the play, oftentimes comparing Othello to an animal. Even Othello can be found using a racially biased lexicon. For example, when he believes Desdemona’s cheating on him he says:
“Her name, that was as fresh
As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black
As mine own face.” (act 3, scene 3, lines 441-443)
In this passage, Othello compares the good reputation of his name, previous to Desdemona’s betrayal, to the freshness of a white face, “As Dian’s visage…” (Diane is the goddess of the pale moon and chastity). Following that he compares his now soiled reputation to the color of his skin “is now begrimed and black as mine own face.”
I believe that if racism was to be taken out of the play Othello, the story, the interactions and dialogue would have been somewhat different.
Trivia: it was the first time a woman played the part of Desdemona.
Gaby Roosenburg, VENS3E
Orthello was a joy to read. The dynamic of the story made it so I could not put down the play, even though I was quite uncertain whether or not I would be able to read it. When it comes to the forces of the conflicts, I suppose the root of all those conflicts came from jealousy.
Iago was jealous of Cassio
Roderigo was jealous of Orthello
Orthello was jealous of Cassio.
Since these characters do form a great part of the main cast, these jealousies tend to drive each other insane. Iago has been cunning right from the start, and works his "honesty" to "help" his so-called friends.
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
"The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, ’tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am."
Iago - Act I, Scene I
The irony of this statement is that he is telling the truth about his dishonesty. Iago himself knows very well that his intent is malicious, and he will be torn apart if someone ever found out his true colours. The idiom "to wear my heart on my sleeve" originates from this passage.
I think Shakespeare has portrayed the true horrors that jealousy can induce very clearly. Jealousy makes the heart grow weak, the eyes cloud over, and reduce a good man to a fool.
Bart Neven VENS3C
I think the racial prejudice Is one of the most important driving forces in the story. Othello feels a bit like an outsider because he is the only coloured person in the story. He feels left out and he wonders why his beautiful Desdemona has chosen him. His father in law certainly did not help when he accused the Moor of using witchcraft to enchant his daughter. We also see that Roderigo and Iago call Othello "Thick lips" in the first scene, which is clearly a racial slur.
Othello knows that people look down on him en this prejudice influences his actions in the story. It also explains where the jealousy comes from. He feels like he is less than the smooth-talking Venetian nobles so in his mind he feels like Desdemona cheating is not that strange. This of course results in the terrible murder of the innocent Desdemona all because of Othello's own insecurities.
Of course is this only my opinion on what the driving factor behind the story is. Jealousy and ambition also play a huge role, but I feel like if Othello would not have done the things he did if he would have been treated as an equal in Venice.
The trivia question: It was so special because it was the first time a woman played on stage in England.
Othello is a play by William Shakespeare. The themes in this play are racism, love, betrayal, revenge and jealousy. In my opinion jealousy is the most important theme. There are numerous indications that can back it up. For example, that Othello’s promotion causes people to be jealous. Especially when Lago is denied a promotion and start calling Othello names. To be honest, I understand his jealousy since he worked very hard to get that promotion, he got nothing in return and was bypassed by Othello. Lago makes sure that Othello life is going to be a living hell. He even goes so far that he involves his wife. He tries to let her commit adultery.
Jealousy is the main cause of the drama in this story. We get to know Othello, a general who is fighting for Venice. Othello has Cassio as a lieutenant and Iago as his ensign. Desdemona secretly got amrried to Othello, which caused her to lose her father. But Othello is not the only one who is interested in Desdemona.
At first, Roderigo, a young Venetian, appears to be in love with Desdemona. Iago takes advantage of this by asking him for money for a favor: to get to talk to Desdemona. Meanwhile, Iago also plays a game with Cassio. He is using Cassio to make Othello jealous of him. Iago makes up several lies and awaits carefully for his chance to make Othello jealous. One of the examples is when Desdemona dropped her first gift, a handkerchief, which eventually got into the hands op Cassio. Iago asked Cassio before to get his hands on the handkerchief, so that he could sketch a scenario where Cassio and Desdemona would get romantic. But before he would tell Othello, he had to make sure that he had evidence, hence the handkerchief. Iago himself seems to be jealous of Cassio, and therefore I believe that is why he took advantage of Cassio and eventually tries killing him by ordering Roderigo to do so, but he kills Roderigo in the end.
For the trivia: it was the first time that a woman was playing Desdemona. For that time, it was not common for plays to have a woman play female roles. Men would usually do that.
Shakespeare’s play Othello is a story that revolves around the ideas of love, ambition, loyalty and heroism. All the main characters in the play are in one way or another affected by, or even driven by, the aforementioned themes; however, no one can argue that the most important theme in Othello is the ubiquitous presence of jealousy.
The first example of a character that is highly influenced by jealousy is the protagonist, Othello. He is the one who has to pay the highest price for his jealousy.
As a result of Cassio’s deceits, Othello believes that Desdemona is having an affair with his lieutenant, Cassio. He is secretly planning to avenge Cassio for his wrongdoing, with the help of Iago. Ironically, Iago is the one true reason for his resentment.
''Lie with her—that’s fulsome. Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief! To confess, and be hanged for his labour. First to be hanged, and then to confess—I tremble at it. ''
The other character in the play who is driven by jealousy is Iago. He feels betrayed by Othello for being passed over for the position of lieutenant.
‘’Three great ones of the city off-capped to him, and by the faith of man I know my price, I am worth no worse a place …. And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine that never set a squadron in the field.’’
On top of this, Iago claims to hate Othello because he sincerely believes that Othello slept with his wife Emilia. His intention throughout the entire play is to shatter Othello’s love life and reputation as a heroic leader.
‘’In following him, I follow but myself. Heaven is my judge, not for love and duty, but seeming so, for my peculiar end. ‘’
I personally feel that the message that he play tries to convey is that one should never be fed by jealousy. In the end, Othello’s resentment has driven him over the edge, resulting in him taking Desdemona’s life. Not soon after, he comes to the realization that Desdemona is innocent and on these grounds, he deprives himself of existence.
Loïs Berghout, 0905131, VENS3C
The conflicts in Othello are, in my opinion, all come from the forces; excessive ambition, deep-seated jealousy and racial prejudice, however, the deep-seated jealousy is the biggest force.
Iago is immensely jealous of Cassio, who has received the position he wanted. Iago now has received one of the most belittling positions in his opinion. His revenge revolves around his jealousy.
Iago is driven on this little green monster, as he calls jealousy himself in Act 3, Scene 3.
Because of Iago's words and lies, Othello becomes so jealous of the presumed relationship of Desdemona, his wife, and Cassio, his lieutenant, that he even gets to the point of killing Desdemona, and later on killing himself.
Even when we look at the smaller roles in the play, we see jealousy. Bianca is jealous of the attention Cassio is giving to Desdemona, Roderigo is jealous of the relationship between Desdemona and Othello and Emilia is jealous of all the attention her husband, Iago, is giving to his plans of killing Othello.
Excessive ambition and racial prejudice are also two forces that are seen throughout the whole play, however, in my opinion jealousy is the main force.
Trivia:
The play was special because Desdemona was actually played by a woman instead of a man.
Lisa Aalmers VENS3C
While many forces, like jealousy, love and racism, are the cause of the conflicts that come to pass in Othello, I believe Iago’s ambition is the heart of all these conflicts. Iago feels he deserves the position as Othello’s lieutenant, but the position is already assigned to Othello’s friend Cassio. His ambitious jealousy drives him to destroy Othello. An example of this ambition can be found in the very beginning of Othello when Iago talks about being rejected by Othello. Act one, Scene 1: ‘ Iago: I know my price, I am worth no worse place. But he evades them with a bombast circumstance horribly stuffed with epithets of war, and in conclusion nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he, “I have already chose my officer.” And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, one Michael Cassio, a Florentine.’ Because Iago feels he is much more suitable for the position as Othello’s lieutenant he plans to deceive Othello to get rid of Cassio so he can take his position.
Another example of this great ambition presents itself when Othello is called upon by the Duke and the Senators to sail to Cyprus to defeat the Turks. Othello says: ‘With all my heart’, which means he’ll go right away. By saying this Othello shows great ambition towards his job as a General, and he shows no hesitation heading into war with the Turks.
Babette Sutter
VENS3C
Excessive ambition, deep-seated jealousy and racial prejudice are all important aspects of the book. I feel like jealousy is the most prominent factor that drives the characters to act the way they act. For example, Iago is furious about the fact that Othello gave Cassio the job he was after, and he develops a deep hatred for both parties.
“IAGO
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
A fellow almost damned in a fair wife,
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric,
Wherein the togèd consuls can propose
As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election;
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds
Christian and heathen, must be beleed and
calmed
By debitor and creditor. This counter-caster,
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be”
Later on, he manipulates Othello by telling him that jealousy is a bad thing, and that he shouldn’t give into it that easily, even though he is thoroughly jealous of Othello himself.
“IAGO
O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on”
Iago plans to destroy Othello by making him believe his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him with Cassio. At first Othello refuses to believe it, but because of his own insecurities (the age difference between him and Desdemona) and the fact that Iago planted one of Desdemona’s handkerchiefs in Cassio’s room, Othello slowly grows more jealous. His deep love for his beautiful wife made him blind with rage and jealousy and eventually he kills Desdemona while’s she is laying in their bed. When Othello learns the truth from Emelia (Iago’s wife), he commits suicide. So in the end, the exact thing that Iago warned him for, the dangers of jealousy, happened anyway.
Dalina Mahmood VEN3C
Othello deals with many aspects such as excessive ambition, deep-seated jealousy and racial prejudice, all very important aspects of the tale. However, the most noticeable one is deep-seated jealousy.
Othello believes that Lago who has been his trusted friend through many battles, is an honest and loyal man. However, Othello promotes Cassio over Lago as his lieutenant.
Lago is deeply offended by Othello’s choice, Lago himself has seen a lot of battles while Cassio has barely seen one. This lead Lago to be very jealous and holds a grudge against Othello and his position. He plans revenge which is caused by his jealousy. This also shows that Lago is driven by his ambition.
Lago pretend to be Othello’s friend and gives othello waring about his wife, he sets Othello up against Desdemona’s. By warning him about her cheating on him. This way he inflames Othello’s jealousy. Othello’s gets tangled with his own jealousy which leads him to killing his own wife and himself at the end.
In my opinion Shakespeare’s Othello, jealousy en envy are present from beginning to the end. In the play Jealousy is described as the “green-eyed monster.” Green stands for the color of jealousy, and monster indicates how destructive it can be.
Iago a character in the story is the one who used this phrase. He is a very manipulative person, and he himself is the first to be attacked by the “green – eyed monster”. Iago is jealous of Othello because Othello became a general, and also because of his happiness with Desdemona. He also believes that Othello had an affair with his wife which makes him resent him even more. Iago was also very jealous of Cassio, this because he was chosen by Othello to be his lieutenant, and this angered him deeply.
This leads to Iago convincing Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair by saying that Cassio is jealous of their relationship.
In the beginning of the story Othello described Desdemona as “wondrous” and Heavenly” but after Iago words and his evidence of her betrayal he describes her as “Haggard” or “Whore”. His jealous got the best of him and it destroyed his love for Desdemona. This led him to the decision to kill Desdemona even though she tries to tell him the truth.
Iago’s wife Emilio who is also affected by jealousy tells Othello the truth and reveals that Iago planted all of this and that he is responsible for the mess. Iago them stabs his wife from behind, murdering her.
Othello realizes that because of Iago and his lies he killed his beloved Desdamona, Roderigo and Emilia. Because of this he then kills himself and dies next to his wife Desdemona.
0878381 - Besha Mahmood VENS3C
I enjoyed reading the play Othello written by William Shakespeare. At the beginning of the play I thought that it was all about passion and love but unfortunately also racial prejudice and jealousy were a part of the play. In my opinion the most important theme which caused drama was jealousy. Lago and Othello were jealous of Cassio and Roderigo was jealous of Othello.
Othello was deeply in love with Desdemona. Unluckily their love was not strong enough to overcome hardship created by Lago. Lago succeeded to make Othello believe that his wife was cheating on him with Cassio. He became so jealous that he got at the point of killing Desdemona and himself. Another example of jealousy is the promotion of Othello. Lago expected to be promoted but instead Othello gets the position he wanted to have.
Trivia: The role of Desdemona was played by a woman
Meryem Ozturk
0913990
VENS3C
Debbie Straetemans - VENS3C
Although Othello's jealousy seems a big theme, I feel that is just Iago who calls it jealousy: 'Oh beware, my lord, of jealousy: it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on'. (act 3, scene 3), and although Othello himself speaks of jealousy, he seems to have less of an issue with being jealous of Cassio, but more with not being able to trust Desdemona as seems from his replies, which do not mention Cassio, but only Desdemona. 'Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt, for she had eyes and chose me. No Iago, I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; and on the proof, there is no more but this: Away at once with love or jealousy.' (act 3, scene 3) Aside from that, there is of course Iago's jealousy of Cassio, who was made lieutenant rather than himself, which he feels he deserves more. It is from this jealousy that his vindictiveness comes forth (and causes 4 people to die).
On the matter of racial prejudice, this is something that keeps coming back in the play, sometimes in subtle manners, sometimes at the forefront. In the first act and scene Roderigo and Iago are speaking of Othello using terms such as 'the thick-lips', 'an old black ram' and 'a barbary horse'. Also, when Othello starts to believe Iago's lies about Desdemona's relationship with Cassio he says 'haply for I am black' (act 3 scene 3) meaning that Othello himself thought that perhaps Desdemona no longer loved him because he was black.
The entire story was driven by racial prejudice and jealousy. Othello feels like an outcast because of his colour and is called names like ''thicklips'', which is a racial slur against black people.
Lago is driven insane by jealousy, he is jealous that Othello got the promotion he wanted and goes so far with his obsession that he actually tries to destroy the love between Desdemona and Othello. Othello becomes Jealous of Cassio, because he believes that she is cheating on him. He might have believed this a little too easily, because he couldn't believe that such a beautiful woman had chosen him.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading Othello.
Trivia : The role of Desdemona was played by a woman, which was quite a sight back in the day.
Mehmet Coskun - VENS3C
Although the beautiful play starts with a story about how Othello and Desdemona are deeply in love. So deeply even that they get married in secret and intend to live their lives happy and without a care. However, Othello his Ancient, Iago, and Cassio, a casanova going after the beautiful Desdemona, are having a different idea about the matter. The Moor's trusted adviser and one of his closes friends, has the intention of destroying the general by putting the two lovers up against each other.
When I first started reading Othello, I immediately thought the play was about racial pejudice. Conversely, this changes around midway through the Shakespearean classic. The moment Othello and Cassio have a big physical fight and Iago starts to talk to Cassio about bringing down Othello (Act 2, Scene 3), the reader/watcher knows that it is not a racial discussion, it is about two lovers being put against each other through their jealousy. This even leads to Othello murdering his beloved wife.
Zeynep Cabuk VENS3C
Othello, a play written by William Shakespeare, depicts numerous signs of how love and jealousy can lead to deadly situations. Iago, who displays an evil and envious character, is willing to get back at anyone. In the first scene, Iago appears to be angry at Othello for stealing the position of lieutenant which was supposed to be his. Iago believes that Othello is not as skilled and experienced like him. However, Othello still manages to surpass by getting an higher position. We see now that this hatred of lago is not only about love, but also about the professional competition between them.
“As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise,
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds
Christian and heathen, must be be-lee’d and calm’d
By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
And I–God bless the mark!–his Moorship’s ancient.”
- Iago, ACT 1. SCENE 1. Venice. A street.
Later on, Iago makes Othello believe that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio which derives in the breakdown of Othello and makes the horrid decision to take Desdemona’s life together with his.
This terrible ending portrays the evil side of jealousy and enviousness which I believe Shakespeare tried to tell us with this brilliant piece of art.
Trivia: The role of Desdemona was performed by a woman, which was uncommon back then.
Felicity Postma – Vens3C - 0881014
Act one might cause one to think that racial prejudice is the main 'problem' in the play.
But to my opinion, every act shows different reasons for tension because of excessive ambition, deep-seated jealousy, and racial prejudice. Iago is the person with the most hatred and jealousy in him, he is also the one that has the most outspoken and strong opinions and he doesn't recoil to mention them in public. For instance
"Come on, come on. You women are all the same. You’re as pretty as pictures when you’re out in public, but in your own houses you’re as noisy as jangling bells. In your own kitchens you act like wildcats. You make yourselves sound like saints when you’re complaining about something, but you act like devils when someone offends you. You don’t take your jobs as housewives seriously, and you’re shameless hussies in bed."- Iago
It seems to me there is only one main reason for all the conflicts in this play, which is jealousy. Iago wants Cassio's job which is reason enough for a conflict due to jealousy, I believe Iago is also jealous of the strong love between Desdemona and Othello and the way they can be together so easily and so happily, therefore he makes sure that ends. It was also very uncommon in those days to have a black man as a general, especially a good general who is respected and appreciated, this causes jealousy.
Act 2, Scene 1 "Thanks, you brave men who defend this island and respect Othello. I hope heaven protects him from the weather, because I lost sight of him on the stormy sea "- Cassio
Last but not least, Othello is jealous of Cassio because he thinks Cassio slept with Desdemona. This book is basically all about jealousy.
Trivia answer: In 1660, Margaret Hughes was the first woman to appear on stage. All roles were previously exclusively played by men, Both male and female roles.
Seda Özdemir VENS3C
First of all, Iago’s plan to destroy Othello is built on resentment and thus deep-seated jealousy. This jealousy eventually becomes the heart of these conflicts and his drive to get rid of Othello out of excessive ambition in various ways. One example of Iago ways to get rid of Othello was, to plant evidence by asking his own wife to pick up the handkerchief Desdemona had dropped to then make it seem like as if Michael Cassio was sleeping with Desdemona which Iago himself would then explain and back up by telling Othello he had seen Michael Cassio whiping off his beard whit that specific handkerchief. Moreover, Iago had had a conversation with Cassio about the handkerchief while Othello overheard this, like Iago had planned to back-up his story to make Othello believe that Desdemona is cheating on him.
Furthermore, Othello has chosen Cassio to be his Lieutenant over Iago which confirms that Iago has been driven by excessive ambition. In the last paragraph of act 1, scene III, there is a more explcit citation of how much Iago hates Othello: “I hate the Moor: And it is thought abroad, that ’twixt my sheets He has done my office: I know not if’t be true; But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety.” Last of all, you can also tell from this little piece that Othello is not referred to by his own name but in racial terms such as ’Moor’ and ‘the thick-lips’ which also includes the force racial prejudice.
Zenab Zamil, VENS3C, 0909703
I have come to the conclusion that the conflicts in Othello are not linked to merely one theme (excessive ambition, deep-seated jealousy or racial prejudice), but rather a mixture of all three, jealousy being a prominent one. Jealousy, after all, is what this play started out with - Iago’s malignancy and bitterness under the guise of ‘being passed over for a job’ - and became Othello’s downfall in the end as he ended up believing his wife cheated on him, and therefore decided to kill her.
DESDEMONA
78 O, banish me, my lord, but kill me not!
OTHELLO
79 Down, strumpet!
DESDEMONA
80 Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight!
OTHELLO
81. strive: struggle.
81 Nay, if you strive—
DESDEMONA
82 But half an hour!
OTHELLO
82. Being done: i.e., since justice has begun its relentless course.
82 Being done, there is no pause.
DESDEMONA
83 But while I say one prayer!
OTHELLO
83 It is too late.
Smothers her.
I also believe that racial prejudice plays a major role in this tragedy. It takes place during the Venetian-Turkish wars (1396-1718, Wikipedia.com), and we all know how racial prejudice as well as racim still play a big role in this day and age. So I can only imagine how backwards and racist people must have been in those times. I think Iago’s grudge against Othello also has a hint of racism in it, an example of this could be when a rumor was passed about Othello sleeping with his wife, to which Iago replied “I hate the Moor…”, referring to Othello's skin colour (“Moor” was a racial slur used to refer to black people).
Answer to trivia question: This production was deemed highly remarkable as it was the first time a woman took the stage. Before this, all characters - male or female - were played by men.
Source: http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/othelloscenes.html
Melisa Maria VENS3c
Racism is something that spoke to me early in the book. Iago uses a lot of imagery to translate his racist slurs towards Othello. In act 1 scene 1 Iago says: “I am one sir, that comes to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.’’ This colored Iago to be a racist showing his disgust seeing a colored and a white together. The way he brings it forward shows not only that he is appalled by the love making but by the mere fact that they are together.
Another theme that is well addressed throughout the book was jealousy. Even though it is focused on Othello’s jealousy believing Iago’s lies about Desdemona and Cassio, I think that Iago is the jealous one. For he can’t stand the happiness of others and early on is even portrait as a villain. Brabantio even called him out on this saying:’’ Thou art a villain.”
Joline Hooker (0892901) VENS3C
What makes Othello a spectacularly tragic play is that Iago and Othello both suffered from the same issue: deep-seated jealousy. Iago hated Othello for passing him over in favor of Cassio. This made him jealous/ envious of Cassio and it became his primary motivation for bringing Othello down. Iago in my opinion is very observant and knew Othello is a man who feels deeply. He greatly loved Desdemona and once he felt as if she betrayed him he knew that he would feel that betrayal deeply. As the story progresses we see that this is true. Othello was driven mad by his jealousy and ultimately killed his wife.
This is what makes Shakespeare a genius. He cleverly uses human emotions as the driving force behind their actions. Even though Iago and Othello both had the same issue it is obvious to the audience that Iago is an evil man and Othello the tragic figure manipulated by him. The quote by Iago is a true one. “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock” Othello act 3 scene 3. Another force at work in my opinion was that Othello was truly an insecure man. That is where I think racial prejudice, and slavery along with other issues came into play
There are several motives as to why I think insecurity was a driving force for his actions. Aside from the fact that he was older, and the marriage was new, he couldn’t put it past her to betray him simply because of the racial tensions of that time. Othello was a slave before he became what he is. In his lifetime he experienced so many tragic things which may have scarred him. “When I did speak of some distressful stroke. That my youth suffered. My story being done she gave me for my pains a world of sighs” Act 1 scene 3 page 7. This quote comes from when he was speaking to Desdemona’s father who accused him of witchcraft. “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them.” This is the same scene. This further proves my point that Othello suffered from past transgressions done to him by the white dominated world.
He also was a soldier. A man who leaves home to go to war is never unaffected. In other words, a man never comes back home the same. To conclude, Othello’s experience in warfare and slavery has left him insecure, irreparably damaged and mentally unstable. Iago who is a psychopath knew
this and exploited his weaknesses to destroy Othello.
Kristine Trimon VENS3C
The force at the heart of these conflicts in Othello is in my opinion deep-seated jealousy. This theme appeared several times in the book.
Throughout the book, you see how Iago plans to make Othello, who is married to Desdemona, jealous by doing a lot of mischievous things. He did these things because he wanted a higher position in life and since the beginning, Iago was already complaining about how he did not get a promotion.
“IAGO
One Michael Cassio, a Florentin,
A fellow almost damn’d in a fair wife,
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the devision of a battle knows
More than a spinster, unless the bookish theoric,
Wherein the toged consuls can propose
As masterly as he. Mere prattle, without practice
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election,
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds
Christian and heathen, must be lee’d and calm’d
By debitor and creditor; this counter-caster,He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,” ( act 1 scene 1 P 1) (Shakespeare, 2009)
In this part Iago claims his hatred towards Othello because Othello did not gave him the promotion, instead, he gave it to Cassio. He also claims that he is more experienced than Cassio thus showing the first sign of jealousy.
Iago's plan to make Othello jealous worked so well that Othello ended up killing Desdemona and later himself. Othello also made a plan with Iago to kill Cassio but in the end, he survived.
In conclusion, excessive ambition and racial prejudice also plays a role in the conflict but everything started due to jealousy and that is why I think that is the force at the heart of the conflicts.
Shakespeare, W., & Gill, R. (2009). Othello. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Trivia: Desdemonia was played by a female.
Cornelis van der Klooster VENS2B
The main themes in this play are jealousy and racial prejudice because of it. I had missed the latter of which on first read. I presumed Lago was just getting revenge for not being promoted to the position Cassio had taken now. On second read I noticed the terms “black-lips” and “an old black ram is tupping your White ewe” which gives that racially prejudiced undertone (comparing him to an animal); and clarifies what other reason Lago had to create such an elaborate lie. These lies resulting in the deaths of Desdemonia, Othello and Rodrigo directly.
Othello was a jealous man as well, he was the person that just took his “honest friend’s” word on his wife cheating on him and went on to kill her without asking. He was a well-established figure in Venice. Before murdering his suspected “whore” wife, he fended off the Turks and had achieved a great status. Considering the time he lived in and his skin tone there was bound to be an enemy, let’s call him Lago.
Another example of a jealous character is Rodrigo. All we read/see of him is jealousy. He would love to share a coffee with Desdemonia, but she has a succesful husband. Lago is the one to give him hope in succeeding to score with her. Cassio is the one to crush his dreams forever.
Emilia seems the only character in the play whom isn’t driven by jealousy and sustains relationships on lies. She doesn’t enjoy the fact her husband is spending so much time on these people, even asking her to steal property (be it something small) from them (Desdemonia specifically). However, that seems a perfectly natural reaction to me.
Trivia: Desdemonia’s role was played by a female, which was a rare occurrance at the time.
Yessica van der Veere, VENS3C, 0893804
Throughout the play the tensions between the characters in Othello have three thriving forces; jealousy, ambition and racial prejudice. In my opinion the biggest thriving force of those three is the excessive ambition and the other two are supporting the biggest force.
THe excessive ambition is the biggest force is because throughout the play Iago mentioned on several occasions how he wanted to have the function Othello gave to Cassio. This ambition and feeling of being overlooked by Othello is also at the root of Iago’s strong and deep-seated jealousy towards Cassio.
The racial prejudice does play a part but looking at it from a historical point of view this racial prejudice might not have been a conscious decision. While Iago is manipulating and deceiving most characters in this play to make sure he gets to where his ambition wants him to be he uses racial slurs. For example when he wakes up Brabantio in Act 1 Scene 1. “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!”
It can also be seen in Act 3, Scene 3: “Ay, there's the point. As, to be bold with you, not to affect many proposèd matches Of her own clime, complexion, and degree, Whereto we see in all things nature tends— Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural— But pardon me—I do not in position Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear Her will, recoiling to her better judgment, May fall to match you with her country forms And happily repent.”
Trivia: This particular performance was a huge historical event because the role of Desdemona was played by a woman for the first time. Before this only men were on stage and they played men and women.
Tamara Salem - 0920243 - VENSSC
I think the heart of these conflicts is a combination of deep-seated jealousy and excessive ambition. In the play, Lago is extremely jealous of Othello. He envies Othello because he has power over him. But all through the play, everything goes wrong due to jealousy.
Also, ambition drives Lago to hate Othello. Othello is very proud of what he has accomplished. Later on in the play, he changes his ways because he assumes Desdemona is cheating on him. He eventually killed her and took his own life.
Bedra Mohamud / 0908880 / VENS3C
The conflicts in this play are caused by numerous elements, the main one being jealousy. When we were first introduced to the character Othello we learnt to sympathise with him due to the struggles he had faced and the prejudice he was forced to endure. Not long after, we gain a more objective perspective and see that even those who have lived difficult lives can also have an ugly side that could rear its head.
“Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man,
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:
But he; as loving his own pride and purposes,
Evades them, with a bombast circumstance
Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war...
…as masterly as he: mere prattle, without practise,
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds
Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd
By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
And I--God bless the mark!--his Moorship's ancient”. – Act 1 Scene 1
From the very first scene, it was evident that jealousy would be a recurring issue. It started off with one character, Iago, who struggled to accept being passed over for a promotion by Othello. He channelled his ill feelings towards this man by meticulously plotting against him, he accomplished this by manipulating various people to knowingly and unknowingly play crucial roles. His goal was to wreak havoc on Othello’s life by destroying his marriage to Desdemona, and successfully did so, but not without paying a heavy price. Iago knew Othello’s weaknesses, and used it against him by planting a seed of doubt. His puppets played their part right and it was enough to trigger a vicious and jealous side of Othello.
“But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor:
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if't be true”. – Act 1 Scene 3
Iago’s hatred of Othello ran deep, and he blatantly contradicted himself by pretending he had a legitimate reason to ruin his life when he did not. This antagonistic behaviour ultimately resulted in the death of not only the protagonist, but several other people.
Trivia question:
Before 1660, all plays were performed by men, whether the role was male or female. 8 December 1660 was the first time a woman played the role of Desdemona, which was uncommon and unheard of as women were not permitted to act or perform on stage.
The force of jealousy
I think Othello is the one that symbolises jealousy best, because jealousy is what eventually enables him to kill his wife Desdemona. Other than jealousy, Othello is also a very vulnerable character because of his race and his military past. Iago makes use of his manipulatable nature to let him kill Desdemona.
Obviously, not only Othello is prone to this often negatively regarded personality trait. At the beginning of the play it is made clear that Roderigo has feelings for Desdemona and the fact that she has married Othello makes him envy that shared love. A bit further in the play he is, just as Othello, manipulated by Iago which makes him murder Cassio.
The force of ambition
For me it was not so hard to pick out the character that was most ambitious. His motives may be unclear, nevertheless Iago manages to fulfill his sinister desire to destroy as many lives as he wants. During the play Iago puts so much effort in manipulating Roderigo and Othello, that it ultimately leads to the extent of death.
Other than Iago, I find Desdemona an ambitious woman as well, because she keeps fighting and loving Othello despite all the hardships she has to endure. Unfortunately her good and ambitious intentions eventually lead to death.
The force of racism
It was a bit harder to spot clear references to racism, because in the time the play was written racism was not as big an issue as it became the next century. Although some quotations of Iago clearly refer to racism, for me it is not clear whether I should take them seriously or not, because I think Iago solely takes on this attitude to obliterate lives. ‘Zounds, sir, you’re robb’d for shame, put on your gown. Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul. Even now, now, very now, an old black ramls tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise. Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.’ This citation from the play, together with the nicknames for Othello such as ‘the Moor’ and ‘the thick lips’ are in my opinion the most racist references.
Other forces
Certainly there are more important and perhaps also more positive forces to be discussed. One theme I would like to stress out is love. As I have stated before, Desdemona was determined to stay with Othello and to keep loving him despite the latter’s doubts about her commitment. In the end Othello kills himself in the name of love.
Elisa Bandstra VENS3A
I think the most prominent theme of this play is deep-seated jealousy. Early on in the play Iago, Othello's standard-bearer, reveals his hatred towards Othello since he is not chosen as Othello's lieutenant and therefore simultaneously shows jealousy. Based on this Iago makes a plan to break up Othello's marriage. Furthermore, the villain is obsessed with the idea of his wife cheating on him which indicates how jealous and insecure Iago is to me.
There are several quotes in the book that include jealousy. In act 3, scene 4, whilst the plan of Iago to break up Othello's marriage is in full effect, Emilia and Desdemona have the following conversation after suspecting Othello of being jealous:
Emilia: pray heavens it be State matters, as you think, and no conception Nor no jealous toy concerning you.
Desdemona: Alas the day! I never gave him cause.
Emilia: But jealous souls will not be answered so. They are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself.
Desdemona: heaven keep the monster from Othello's mind!
Emilia: Lady, amen.
Desdemona: I will go seek him. Cassio, walk hereabout. If i do find him fit, I'll move your suit and seek to effect it to my uttermost.
Cassio: I humbly thank your ladyship.
Portraying jealousy as a "monster" that just grows and grows out of nothing can be seen, in my opinion, in the seed of jealousy that Iago places in Othello with the handkerchief. Othello's image of Desdemona completely changes because of this and only grows worse until the point where he is capable of killing his own wife, who he had loved so deeply before Iago's havoc.
Directly at the opening scene of Othello, where the public gets acquainted with the first characters, there is an argument going on between Iago and Roderigo. Within every part we see much of tension between the characters which causes action and conflicts in the play.
When we look at Iago the first thing we see that his character is very contradictory. He acts as a villain but lacks a real motivation to do so. In the first scene he tells he is angry at Othello for having passed him over for the position of lieutenant. He is jealous of Cassio who got the position and says “this counter-caster, he is in good time must his Lieutenant be, and I – God bless the mark- his Moorship’s Acient.” (Act I scene I, line 31-33)
Personally, I think that love plays a very important role in the narration, and that it is love that causes conflicts and tension. Othello and Desdemona are madly in love and marry in secret. In the end his love and jealousy killed Desdemona. "I kissed thee ere I killed thee, no way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss." (Act V, Scene II, lines 359-360) This are Othello’s last words where he speaks poetically about his marriage with Desdemona. Would he never have kissed and loved her she would be still alive.
Emma Bosselaar (VENS3A)
Francis Koppejan VENS3A
In Shakespeare’s Othello multiple conflicts appear in the play. All these conflicts are driven by different emotions and characteristics from different characters, in such a manner that all characters are eventually tied in the same big conflict and the plot of the play. These are characteristics such as ambition, deep-seated jealousy, and prejudice.
To start off with the ambitious character that played a role in causing the conflict with Othello and Desdemona. This character is Iago. He wanted to be promoted to lieutenant, but he didn’t get the job. This caused such anger within him, he decides to manipulate Othello into thinking Desdemona is cheating on him. His ambition to get a higher function than he has, causes a massive conflict at the end of the play.
Iago is also very jealous, because he thinks Othello is having an affair with his wife. As he says in the play: I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets' Has done my office. I know not if’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety. In which he admits it is only a suspicion and not a confirmed fact.
These emotions and characteristics result in the tragic ending of the play Othello. The compelling forces are not easily resistible for the character and they all face the consequences at the end of the play.
Ian Kievit, VENS3A
William Shakespeare’s Othello is steeped in jealousy. Only a few characters lack this personality trait. This cardinal sin causes the play to end in tragedy. During Shakespeare’s work jealousy and all the actions following it are fueled by other characters. Therefore, Othello is a great example of how this sin controls the actions of humans affected by its powers.
At the start of the play the green monster is revealed in Iago, Othello’s would be second in command. Iago is a sly villain, as he hides his hatred for Othello beneath a web of lies and false friendship. However, Iago’s hidden motives are revealed to the audience in the first act of the play in this quote:
IAGO
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,
A fellow almost damned in a fair wife,
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric,
Wherein the togèd consuls can propose
As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election;
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds
Christian and heathen, must be beleed and
calmed
By debitor and creditor. This counter-caster,
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be (1.1.21-34)
Here Iago states that he despises Othello for promoting Micheal Cassio instead of him. He even goes as far as saying he hates Othello. This hatred fuels Iago’s desires to make Othello’s life a living hell. This offense causes Iago to come up with a plan to destroy Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. He intends to use Roderigo, who loves Desdemona, and his jealousy to make Othello suspect his wife is sleeping with Michael Cassio. During the course of the play this plan comes into fruition and ends in a climax where Othello first kills Desdemona and afterwards himself.
The pure tragedy of the play starts with Iago’s deep-seated disgust of Othello. This combined with his jealousy influences most of the other characters. This force of sin quickly spreads through all events in the play, and none can escape its grasp.
Chantal Doelman VENS3A
To start with, all conflicts, excessive ambition, deep-seated jealousy and racial prejudice, play an huge role in the play. At the beginning of the play it is mostly about love and ambition. Othello is deeply in love with Desdemona ánd is an highly awarded man -excessive ambition. They want to get secretly married because Othello is an “outsider” -racial prejudice-, but they get exposed and eventually ask permission.
However, the plot twists when Iago gets jealous on Othello’s success. The tension between these characters is based on the ambition of both guys and when Iago is passed by for a promotion, he isn’t able to cope with his jealousy anymore. His plan is to destroy Othello with a lot of jealousy towards Desdemona. He makes up a plan to make Othello jealous of Cassio and his pretended love for Desdemona. With some help and well-considered actions, Iago gets Othello so jealous that he kills his beloved wife. I think this is the climax of the play, an event where the play is all about and it is caused by jealousy. Therefore, I think jealousy is a more important aspect than prejudice or ambition.
“I hate the Moor,
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
'Has done my office. I know not if 't be true,
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety.”
The play revolves about two main keys: excessive ambition and jealousy. Both terms conveniently split the play into two. The first part of the play being lead by "ambition". Othello is a military general who, despite his anncestry being African, is very succesful. He is happily married to Desdemona, who loves him unconditionally. For a while, all is well.
However, the "second" part of the play takes a steep turn as one of his former fiends, Iago, decides to turn against him. He is seeded with jealousy and carries a lot of hatred towards Othello for being as succesful as he is. Together with Roderigo and Cassio he forges a plan to overthrow him. Iago is a sly villian because throughout the entire play he sides with Othello, making it seem like they're on the same side. He makes Othello believe that his wife Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, all the while promising Desdemona's love to Roderigo. Iago's actions are a direct result of his jealousy towards Othello. Eventually, Othello gives in to Iago's lies and subsequently kills Desdemona, blinded by hatred and deep-seeded jealousy.
The entire plot of the play revolves around Iago's jealousy and hatred towards the main character Othello. An interesting part in the book was when he eventually admitted to his feelings.
IAGO:
“I hate the Moor,
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
'Has done my office. I know not if 't be true,
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety"
Demi Troost VENS3A
William Shakespeare's Othello is the ultimate story about jealousy, insecurity and distrust. Othello is easily tricked into believing his wife Desdemona is cheating on him. I find it disturbing that with small lies and planned events, like Iago who tries to make it look as if Desdemona is cheating. This works and in the plot they both get killed.
I also thought that the resemblance between the time the story is set and our current life are magnificent. These days we also do not believe each other, we talk behind people's backs and we trust nobody. I was shocked that these themes: Jealousy, trust issues, friends who turn out not to be friends and eventually hostile behaviour.
Another aspect is the fact that Othello is a moor, he lives between venetians and he has quite a good status. I personally like the idea that he can work in this status eventhough he is a moor.
I look forward to discuss the book in class and I hope to learn the different point of views from my classmates.
For a short instance, the force that drives the characters in Shakespeare’s Othello seems to be romance. The Moor Othello is madly in love with his wife Desdemona, to whom he got married clandestinely.
However, as soon as the play begins, we find out that the force which drive the characters is deep-seated jealousy. The first character to show envy is Roderigo, Othello’s ensign in the Venetian Army. Othello is not the only one who passionately cares for Desdemona, Roderigo adores her as well and has trouble coping with her getting married to Othello. The first act of jealousy comes from Roderigo and Iago, the latter also being another ensign of Othello. Iago is a very villainous and manipulative man and persuades Roderigo to go to Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, to tell him that she ran away with a Moor. The reason behind Iago’s wicked deed of jealousy is that he, along with Roderigo, despises Othello. However, Iago has other reasons to be envious: his position for lieutenant got passed over to Cassio and, not to mention, Othello’s purported affair with his wife, Emilia.
Eventually, Othello too becomes a victim of jealousy when Iago manoeuvres him into believing that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him with Cassio. “Lie with her! Lie on her! We say ‘lie on her’, when they belie her. Lie with her: zounds, that’s fulsome! To confess and be hanged for his labour. First, to be hanged, and then to confess. I tremble at it. Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction. It is no words that shakes me thus. Pish! Noses, ears, and lips: is’t possible? Confess? Handkerchief? O devil!” [He falls in a trance. (Othello, Act 4 Scene 1)
Iago’s persuasions result into Othello being bitten by the green-eyed monster. Othello is experiencing major difficulties trying to manage the thought of Desdemona being unfaithful towards him. On top of this, Othello is being removed from his position and Cassio, the man who he believes is cheating on the love of his life, from then on is in charge of Cyprus. When Othello hears about this news he, as a response, hits Desdemona in her face, again unable to control the green-eyed monster inside of him.
‘The tragedy of Othello the moor of Venice’ certainly lives up to its name, with in my opinion jealously as its main subject. The story starts in Venice, where Othello and Desdemona have just secretly married each other. Their happy marriage is discommended by Brabantio, Desdemona’s father for that Othello is a moor. Iago is jealous of Michael Cassio because of his promotion. He seeks for revenge and succeeds by getting Cassio drunk and then sends Rodrigo to start a fight with him. (2.1) Othello tells Cassio he can never work for him again. While advising Cassio to ask Desdemona for help, Iago makes Othello believe Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. This brings out the worst in Othello and as the time passes, he starts believing this. Eventually, Othello kills Desdemona. It appears she hasn’t done anything wrong and in a desperate attempt to save his name Othello takes his own life too. The tragedy is completed. I believe that if one tries hard enough he can bring out the worst in everybody. And as mentioned before, that is exactly what Iago goes and exactly what this book shows us.
Sanneke Baan 0906703 Vens3A
Lianne Vendeloo Vens3A
The theme which mostly stood out for me was deep seated jealousy. The play starts with a conversation between Iago and Roderigo. Iago explains his hate for ‘the moor’ Othello because Othello passed Iago over for promotion in the military. To stir up the life of Othello, Iago tells Rodrigo that Othello married Desdemona secretly, and because Rodrigo sees Desdemona as his true love he becomes furious with jealousy. How could Desdemona choose for ‘’the moor” and not him. The second time Iago’s hate and jealousy is seen in the play is when Iago hears a rumour about Othello and Iago’s wife Emilia, the voices say Othello is seeing Emilia. This is where the real jealousy can be found and is a big reason for Iago to destroy Othello’s life as we can read in act 1, scene 3: “IAGO I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets 'Has done my office. I know not if 't be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety. (1.3.329-433).” Following this lines, Iago reveals his plans to destroy Othello’s life. He will make sure Othello gets jealous by making him believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, the man who got the promotion instead of Iago.
As Iago manipulates Othello by giving him suspicions about the affair of Desdemona, Othello’s jealousy grows. Iago realises that Othello does not need much to get Othello where he wants him and plants the handkerchief of Desdemona (which she accidentally dropped) in the hands of Cassio. “IAGO Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. This may do something. (3.3.370-372).” After Othello gets consumed by jealousy he kills Desdemona when he accused her of infidelity, Cassio had her handkerchief after all. As we can see, Iago’s plan to destroy Othello was built on deep seated jealousy, and is therefore the force of hand at the heart of all of the conflicts in the play.
Diana Slavenburg|0880584|VENS3B
“Zounds sir, you’re robbed; fir shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul. Even now, now, very now an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise awake the snorting citizens with the bell, or else the devil will make a grandsire of you. Arise I say!” (act 1.1) shows the racial prejudice in this play at its best. Iago here tells Brabantio that Desdemona is married to Othello, using very negative language. Before and after this phrase they talk about how bad black people are.
Jealousy is in my opinion the main theme in this play. Iago uses this as a weapon. Othello couldn’t handle his jealousy which made him go completely insane. From the moment Desdemona has lost his handkerchief, Othello lost all control over his feelings.
It’s not only Othello who shows a lot of jealousy issues. Iago is jealous of the position Othello has in Cyprus. He uses Cassio to make Othello jealous and he uses Roderigo to get Cassio out of the way for the moment he could get rid of Othello.
Iago’s ambitions go so far that he is willing to kill a few people to get the highest position in Cyprus. Which I would call excessive. During the play he is trying to set people up to each other for his own good. Eventually he gets “caught” but sadly it is too late for a lot of people.
Shakespeare's Othello deals with both excessive ambition and deep- seated jealousy as well as it deals with racial prejudice. Maybe it's the latter that makes this play different from the rest of his work.
Themes like blind ambition and rabid jealousy occur in many of Shakespeare's work and might represent his vision on the human condition. And, just like in old Greek drama, the disastrous consequences of mankind's shortcomings are irreversible.
The play's main protagonist is the venerable Othello, a general of the army of Venice. At the same time he is an outsider because he is not Italian, he is a Moor from Northern Africa. Throughout the play expressions of racial prejudice or to put it more bluntly, racist connotations, can be found. Right at the start, in act one, scene one, Iago, Othello's ensign, refers to him as 'an old black ram', who is 'tupping' (having sex with) a 'white ewe', Desdemona. Later on in the scene he calls Othello 'an African horse'. Furthermore Iago consistently refers to him as 'the Moor' instead of mentioning his name.
Maybe Shakespeare had a somber and a somewhat cynical view on mankind. But to say that Othello is a straightforward tragedy wouldn't be concise. It has definitely humorous aspects to it. For instance the scene in which Iago seduces Cassio to drink to much wine. At first Cassio refuses, but soon he gives in and gets carried away. Later, he tries to convince himself and his company that he isn't drunk by saying: 'Gentlemen, do not think I'm drunk. This is my ancient, this is my right hand and this is my left. I am not drunk now. I can stand well enough and I speak well enough' ( act two, scene three)
It seems as if Shakespeare wanted to show us the irony of the fact that people are far from flawless. By painting his characters like silly and gullible fools who are either obsessed and shamelessly driven by their excessive ambitions or easily made vulnerable to rabid jealousy, to such an extend that they can't control themselves and turn into murderous monsters, is in some sarcastic way very funny. Only Desdemona is purely good, and is an exception to the rest, which makes her part intriguing...
Although Shakespeare's language is old and difficult to read, the themes of the story are far from archaic. It reminded me of soap TV series like 'The Bold and the Beautiful', which is why I wouldn't call Othello a tragedy but a farce with a disastrous ending.
Arwen, DENS 3a
Post a Comment