Sunday, November 29, 2009

Does Iago's manipulation or Othello's gullibility lead to the tragic end of Shakespeare's Othello?

I don't think one would be possible without the other. Iago certainly crafts the lies and deceptions needed to make everything unravel, but if Othello had been a stronger person the plot would not have worked. It is a common theme in Shakespeare for villains to play on other characters' existing weaknesses.


For example, if Othello had a healthy relationship with Desdemona he would not have jumped to such rapid conclusions about her supposed affair with Cassio. He would have trusted her more and calmly approached her about his concerns. The fact that he believes Iago so easily suggests that Othello is a jealous, and perhaps even insecure person. A better-tempered man would have been more trusting of his lover.


Other characters in the play fall victim to similar weakness. For example, Iago would not have been able to manipulate Cassio so easily had he not already had such a weakness for drinking. 


The characters are able to live happily with either their weaknesses or Iago's manipulations, but it is the combination that is so deadly.

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