Jealousy And Deception In William Shakespeare's Othello

Shakespeare's famous drama, Othello, revolves around three things: doubt, avengement and deception. As a powerful general of the Venetian army, Othello is unstoppable, until his life is turned upside down by an envious soldier whose hatred is fueled by the fact that he was not promoted to Lieutenant. After secretly marrying his wife, Desdemona, Othello’s true strength is tested. Othello is a black Moor, allowing racism to play a factor throughout the drama. Those whom he believed were faithful are no longer, according to his trusted soldier Iago, enraging Othello. As the drama takes place, those whom are spectating know that Iago is bad news. Involved with a rich man named Roderigo, who is in love with Desdemona. Iago plots to get revenge on

Iago encompasses the tragedy with deception as he betrays Cassio, Othello, Desdemona and Emilia. Thus, ending in a very emotional outpouring by Othello himself, allowing himself to kill Desdemona and himself. As one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, many have studied the work of Othello. Othello consists of many key literary elements, making it the perfect drama to study in English/Literature classes. Shakespeare was a true genius and I believe he knew exactly what he was doing then writing Othello. Shakespeare gave no specific gender of characters nor significant setting throughout Othello, allowing his work to continue to be a admired even in modern day. The flexibility of Shakespeare’s writing allows for change to characters and setting, granting the ability to modernize Othello and understand the admired tragedy much

As a tragedy, Othello contains examples of exodos, catharsis, asides, symbolism, hamartia and soliloquies. Just as in every other tragedy that Shakespeare wrote, many characters die during the exodos of Othello. The true tragedy of Othello is not just the deaths of Desdemona and Othello himself, but that Othello realizes his mistakes too late, after the consequences are permanent. He understands only after he has killed Desdemona that Iago has deceived him. Thus, leading up to an outpouring of emotion at the end of Othello, called a catharsis. Othellos guilt and jealousy conclude as he states, “I kiss thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, / Killing myself to die upon a kiss.”(V.II.369-370 ). After this is said, Othello commits suicide, stabbing himself out of remorse and disbelief of his foolishness. This catharsis did not surprise the spectating audience due to the help and hints from multiple asides and soliloquies by the characters. In Othello, the audience knows that there is more than meets the eye in the character of Iago, and it is ironic that he displays honesty as he states, "I am not what I am" (I.i.66). This brutal honesty allows him to manipulate characters throughout the tragedy. In Act II, Iago has two very important asides, each providing insight on his schemes. The first of his asides is in response to seeing Cassio and Desdemona hold hands. Iago says that