Raquel Hurtado
02/12/12
Period 05
Othello Essay
Othello, by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that revolves around deceit, betrayal and
jealousy. The main character ignites with jealousy, of which eventually devours himself
and his reputation. Othello is a professional but easily allows his jealousy to take over him
and his actions. Iago is able to plant false possibilities in Othello’s mind, Desdemona, his
wife, shares her compassion for Cassio and Othello strikes her violently and lastly,
Othello’s mad mind transformed “lie” into a sexual occurrence between Desdemona and
Cassio that never happened. Othello’s jealousy is his greatest weakness that consumes his
thoughts and sanity.
The first step to Othellos downfall was to get him to confide in a close, reliable friend.
Iago’s plan unfolds itself when he begins to make indirect comments and suggestions
relating to Desdemona and Cassio’s interactions. “What dost thou think?…As if there were
some monster in thy thought too hideous to be shown…Utter my thoughts…O, beware,
my lord, of jealousy!” (III,ii,119-195) One would think that a man that held so much
command with his army and soldiers would also hold command of his feelings and
personal life. Othello shows his inner works and inner insecurities when he begins to ask
Iago to tell him his thoughts. Othello quickly finds meaning behind Iagos general
comments and unfolds them into much more. The doubts in Othello come pouring out as
he insists for proof.
In modern times it is a less sociably acceptable to hit a woman in public, nonetheless your
