Examples Of Verisimilitude In Othello

‘Othello’ is an impressive exploration of human emotion; both philosophically intriguing and colourfully captivating. Parallel with the nature of tragedy, ‘Othello’, through its frankly rich plot and human characters, amplifies a cathartic process inherent in its themes and narrative mastery; an injection of unrivalled pathos and intimate engagement. The all-pervasive theme of human frailty is compounded by the concepts of verisimilitude, trust, and jealousy and each notion works harmoniously to render an image of how manipulation is manifested and the path to ultimate tragedy, regardless of context.

What is truly integral to discussing the thematic relevance of verisimilitude in ‘Othello’ is the notion of the transparency of Iago’s character.

Key to the idea of trust and the manipulation of such is the concept that morally, is abuse of trust wrong if humans so misplace it? A prime example of this is Iago’s second soliloquy, which has the tone of justifying not only his exploitation of trust but also his revelling in it. Most pertinently, ‘What’s he then that says I play the villain?’ The use of jarring syntax to modern audiences causes them to slow down and think about this rhetorical question. In an almost mechanical process we can work through Iago’s logic. If humans place their trust too easily, are they inviting tragedy, and thus, does that mean by the nature of a fatal flaw, is it wrong to expedite such a result? There is an evident relationship between the impact of trust and manipulation, yet also that we as individuals must be mindful that trusting too easily can lead to the deterioration of person and relationships. The attitudes and values conveyed through Iago offer audiences an understanding of the risks of misplaced trust, and how in our connected world that without full acknowledgement of the ease of manipulation, trust can invite tragedy; a testament to the lasting relevance of ‘Othello’ and the questions it