The Pride of Othello

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The Pride of Othello

In Shakespeare's Othello, Othello's pride prevents him from finding the truth, eventually leading to his demise. Initially, Othello and Desdemona are deeply in love, despite her father's disapproval of their marriage. However, when Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago to Lieutenant, Iago has his revenge by convincing Othello that Desdemona cheats on him with Cassio, destroying the marriage between Othello and Desdemona. Othello grows to meet his downfall when his trusted friend Iago causes him to think that his wife Desdemona is unfaithful.

In the beginning of the play, Othello and Desdemona have a strong relationship. When others interfere with their marriage, Othello and Desdemona do not allow themselves to split up. Brabantio, furious that his daughter Desdemona loves Othello, tries to convince the Duke that Desdemona's love of Othello subsists because he cast a spell on her. However, Othello opposes Brabantio's accusation: "I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver / Of my whole course of love: what drugs, what charms, / What conjuration, and what mighty magic, -- / For such proceeding I am charged withal,-- / I won his daughter" (I.iii.102-106). Othello not only proves to the Duke that he won Desdemona because she fell in love with him, but he also proves his loyalty to Desdemona in showing that he will not let anyone come between them. Soon after, Othello and Desdemona prove their love by refusing to leave each other. The Duke informs Othello that the Turks have invaded Cyprus. Othello, not wanting to leave her, asks Desdemona to come along; however, Brabantio does not wish for Desdemona to join Othello. When the Duke suggests that she should sta...

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... Commend me to my kind lord: O, farewell!" then dies (V.ii.149-150). Desdemona lies to Emilia in order to keep Othello from getting hurt, thus proving her unending loyalty to Othello; however, Othello does not speak up and declare that he killed Desdemona which would destroy his reputation, proving that his self-pride stays strong. The marriage between Othello and Desdemona fails to stay together as a result of Othello's growing self-pride.

In conclusion, Othello's and Desdemona's marriage fails to continue as a result of Othello's disloyalty to Desdemona, as well as his inability to prove to himself that he is wrong because such a fact would ruin his self-pride. Shakespeare decides to leave the play's conflict unresolved, proving that one cannot correct many of life's problems where jealousy or a lack of communication exists.

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