Othello
In Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago seems guilty for all of Othello's tragedies, indeed Othello is a wellspring of his tragedy by himself. People think him a good leader, but he is the leader who has no ability to distinguish who is bad and who is good. He is a weak and jealous man; at least he could not believe his fair wife.
Othello's outside looks strong and honest, but his internal side is weak, and diffident. He is a respected person who is the pride of Venice. His fame, and his age is enough to realize and to understand what happens, but he can't. He hasn't any confidence to believe himself because of his skin color and the differences between him and Desdemona. He himself suggests that because he is black he shouldn't be with Desdemona.
"Haply for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years-yet that's not much-
She's gone. (3.3.262)"
"Iago's ploy to string Roderigo along is his assurance that Desdemona couldn't contrary to nature, long live a black man. Even his manipulation of Othello depends on the Moor's own prejudice against his blackness and belief that the fair Desdemona prefer the white Cassio." (Emma 221)
Before Iago begins his scheming, Othello already has his doubts about Desdemona because he said "she lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd." (I, iii, 167) He is unsure why Desdemona loves him.
Othello is insecure with his personalities, so he allows himself to be influenced by Iago. Generally he seems innocent and believes that Iago is his true friend. But if Othello absolutely trusts Iago, why wouldn't be he chose Iago instead of Cassio. He starts his tragedy by himself.
As a Mongolian proverb says, "In order for the jay birds to sit on the hill, you must first erect the hill." If Othello didn't make Iago annoyed, he wouldn't confront his tragedy. Iago raged Othello, so he said to Roderigo:
"Nonsuits my mediators. For 'Certes,' says he,
'I have already chose my officer.'
And what was he?
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine... (1.1.15)"
On the other hand, Othello hasn't any reason to not believe his wife Desdemona. She is a smart and a strong woman who has the capacity to fascinate others, and she truly madly loves Othello for who he is. She proves it on the senate floor. She says confidently to her father and a duke:
"That I did love the Moor to live with him,
My downright violence, and storm of fortunes,
May trumpet to the world (1.3.248-250)."
In spite of Desdemona's father content, Desdemona married Othello, so Othello should respect her. She is a sympathetic person. That's why she wants to help Cassio to recover his lost position as Lieutenant.
Otherwise, she wants to see how loves Othello to her. If you will request to your lover some big thing that only can do your lover, your lover will do it; of course you will be satisfied what you can do and how much loves you your lover. Similarly, might be Desdemona wants it. So she asks many times to put back Cassio his old career.
"For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
I have no judgment in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back (3.3.45)."
If Othello loves Desdemona better, he would forgive her. he did not choose evil over good. But we cannot exonerate him. Othello's sin against Desdemona is as heinous as Iago's sin against Othello. Othello proves it with his own words:
"Desdemona: Kill me to-morrow; let me live to-night!
Othello: Nay, an you strive-
Desdemona: But half an hour!
Othello: Being done, there is no pause.
Desdemona: But while I say one prayer!
Othello: It is too late.(V,11,80)"
In Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago seems guilty for all of Othello's tragedies, indeed Othello is a wellspring of his tragedy by himself. People think him a good leader, but he is the leader who has no ability to distinguish who is bad and who is good. He is a weak and jealous man; at least he could not believe his fair wife.
Othello's outside looks strong and honest, but his internal side is weak, and diffident. He is a respected person who is the pride of Venice. His fame, and his age is enough to realize and to understand what happens, but he can't. He hasn't any confidence to believe himself because of his skin color and the differences between him and Desdemona. He himself suggests that because he is black he shouldn't be with Desdemona.
"Haply for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years-yet that's not much-
She's gone. (3.3.262)"
"Iago's ploy to string Roderigo along is his assurance that Desdemona couldn't contrary to nature, long live a black man. Even his manipulation of Othello depends on the Moor's own prejudice against his blackness and belief that the fair Desdemona prefer the white Cassio." (Emma 221)
Before Iago begins his scheming, Othello already has his doubts about Desdemona because he said "she lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd." (I, iii, 167) He is unsure why Desdemona loves him.
Othello is insecure with his personalities, so he allows himself to be influenced by Iago. Generally he seems innocent and believes that Iago is his true friend. But if Othello absolutely trusts Iago, why wouldn't be he chose Iago instead of Cassio. He starts his tragedy by himself.
As a Mongolian proverb says, "In order for the jay birds to sit on the hill, you must first erect the hill." If Othello didn't make Iago annoyed, he wouldn't confront his tragedy. Iago raged Othello, so he said to Roderigo:
"Nonsuits my mediators. For 'Certes,' says he,
'I have already chose my officer.'
And what was he?
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine... (1.1.15)"
On the other hand, Othello hasn't any reason to not believe his wife Desdemona. She is a smart and a strong woman who has the capacity to fascinate others, and she truly madly loves Othello for who he is. She proves it on the senate floor. She says confidently to her father and a duke:
"That I did love the Moor to live with him,
My downright violence, and storm of fortunes,
May trumpet to the world (1.3.248-250)."
In spite of Desdemona's father content, Desdemona married Othello, so Othello should respect her. She is a sympathetic person. That's why she wants to help Cassio to recover his lost position as Lieutenant.
Otherwise, she wants to see how loves Othello to her. If you will request to your lover some big thing that only can do your lover, your lover will do it; of course you will be satisfied what you can do and how much loves you your lover. Similarly, might be Desdemona wants it. So she asks many times to put back Cassio his old career.
"For if he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
I have no judgment in an honest face:
I prithee, call him back (3.3.45)."
If Othello loves Desdemona better, he would forgive her. he did not choose evil over good. But we cannot exonerate him. Othello's sin against Desdemona is as heinous as Iago's sin against Othello. Othello proves it with his own words:
"Desdemona: Kill me to-morrow; let me live to-night!
Othello: Nay, an you strive-
Desdemona: But half an hour!
Othello: Being done, there is no pause.
Desdemona: But while I say one prayer!
Othello: It is too late.(V,11,80)"
