Identity In Othello

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All individuals experience many different forms of conflicts throughout their life. The method and attitude of how one approaches their conflicts ultimately shapes the individual’s identity. An individual’s identity is ultimately shaped by their actions, therefore the conflicts and adversities in an individual’s life can have tremendous effects on their identity. In the classic play Othello by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare explores different ways humans react to conflicts they are forced to face. William Shakespeare suggests that the conflicts in an individual’s life can have significant effects on the individual’s identity. This is displayed through the ideas of jealousy, love, and dishonesty. Jealousy is a recurring theme that is significant …show more content…

The plot of the play is driven by Iago’s desires to sabotage Othello’s life. Iago’s desires for revenge are due to Othello picking Cassio over him to be Othello’s lieutenant. Iago tells lies over and over again, by doing so he is able to obtain his goal. Iago’s dishonesty is shown very early on in the play. He begins his scheme by using his loyal friend Roderigo, Iago abuses the fact that Roderigo loves Desdemona, he uses this as a driving force to further manipulate Roderigo. Iago goes as far as to killing Roderigo in the end to silence Roderigo from telling everyone the truth, this kind of deviousness and manipulation is evident in Iago throughout the play. Another example of Iago’s dishonesty can been seen when he plants Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s office. Iago eventually uses this as the ocular proof to show Othello. Iago’s character stays consistent from beginning to end, he uses his duplicity and evilness to face his conflicts and adversities. Iago is often referred to as “Honest Iago”, this dramatic irony helps further display Iago’s manipulative and dishonest personality. Iago’s dishonesty throughout the play is a reflection of the evilness he possess. As Iago’s evilness develops, his actions begin to be more clear to how it correlates to his identity. It can be said that his actions are clear examples of how the effect of conflict can reflect an individual’s

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