Othello Analysis

The tragedy of Othello, written by William Shakespeare, presents the main character Othello, as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man, but because of his insecurities and good nature, he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his peers and alleged friends. The dynamic of Othello’s character significantly changes throughout the play. The contrast is most pronounced from the beginning of the play to its conclusion, switching from being calm and peaceful to acts of uncontrolled venomous rage. Othello’s motivation in the play appears to be his love and concern for his wife Desdemona, which ironically, ends up being his downfall in the end.

In the beginning of the play Othello exhibits behaviors leading one to believe that he is a patient, well spoken, and calm man, even when faced with uncomfortable and intimidating situations. In one of Othello’s first appearances he is about to be attacked and arrested for charges of witchcraft, but when armed men arrive to seize him, rather than fighting them he says “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them” (I.ii.58). Saying this, he calms Brabanzio’s men and he agrees to have a hearing about the issue in front of the duke rather than fighting about it.

Later, when he is speaking to the duke, Othello says, “Most humbly, therefore, bending to your state, I crave fit disposition for my wife” (I.iii.231). Once again, he continues to stay calm and nonchalant as he explains to the duke that he has done nothing in his life involving witchcraft but that Desdemona and he got married because “She lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd, And I lov'd her that she did pity them” (I.iii.167), meaning Desdemona fell in love with Othello because of the stories he told her, not be...

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....ii.360). Then Othello commits suicide with a hidden sword on his person. The whole chaotic ending scene further supports Othello’s madness and inner rage leaving him in the end, a man completely opposite from who he was in the beginning, turning his peace to violence, and his calm personality into a ferocious revenge seeking demon.

Throughout Othello’s journey, it is apparent he had many drastic changes in his behavior and how he reacted to people as he became more and more upset. He went from being a gentle and calm character, to a paranoid and insecure character, to an out of control and enraged monster. In the end, he finds out the truth as to what was really going on, ultimately resulting in Othello’s suicide.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William, and James K. Lowers. Othello: Commentary, Complete Text, Glossary. Lincoln, Neb.: Cliff's Notes, 1968. Print.