Jealousy and Misinterpretation in the Tragedy of Othello - Essay Example

30 November Jealousy and Misrepresentation in The Tragedy of Othello In The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, William Shakespeare depicts the terrible consequences of lying and jealousy. Even when the title character is Othello, the play shows that it is Iago who pulled the strings of the characters. Shakespeare shows how easy it can be for one man to shake other people's worlds and turn them upside-down through a web of lies. This paper analyzes the themes of jealousy and misrepresentation in the play. It gives specific examples on how characters have succumbed to these themes and how these themes affected the characters and the ending of the play. The Tragedy of Othello describes the jealousy of Othello and Iago that ruined their sense of morality, and how Othello misrepresents Cassio and Desdemona to achieve his aim of revenge, and how in the end, jealousy and misrepresentation destroy people's character and lives. Iago misrepresents numerous people for his own benefit, where he specifically lied about Othello, Cassio and Desdemona. Iago initially misrepresents Othello to Brabantio, a Venetian senator and Desdemona's father. Iago uses racism to incite Brabantio to kill Othello for seducing his daughter. Iago tells Brabantio: “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/Is topping your white ewe...” (Shakespeare Act 1, Scene 1). But Iago is a double spy. He also warns Othello of Brabantio's impending attack. This warning, however, aims to further impress upon Othello that he could be trusted. Iago also lies to Roderigo that he is loyal to him. Roderigo only wants Desdemona and he believes the lies that Iago feeds him, such as giving his gifts to Desdemona. Iago actually keeps these gifts for himself. Iago also seems to help Roderigo get Desdemona, but in reality, Iago's main intention is to hurt Othello, because he has not promoted him. Othello promoted Cassio instead, which angers Iago. Iago also misrepresents Cassio to Othello. Iago even uses his wife to create an elaborate lie that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio through Desdemona's handkerchief, which Othello gave to her. It did not help that Cassio had high regard for Desdemona. Iago also lies to Montano, so that he can further undermine Cassio's integrity, which is crucial to tarnishing his name in society. He tells Montano that Cassio does not deserve praises, because Cassio has a drinking problem. Soon Montano believes Iago and says: “And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor/ Should hazard such a place as his own second” (2.3). Cassio feels the brunt of this misrepresentation, because it damaged his reputation: “...O, I have lost/my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of/myself, and what remains is bestial” (2.3). In addition, Iago manipulates people to lie to Othello. For instance, Iago cleverly uses his conversation with Cassio about the latter's mistress Bianca, which seemed like Cassio was bragging about bedding Desdemona. This conversation angers Othello even more. Iago also professes love to Othello, as he lies about Cassio. The more he says he loves Othello, the more he uses “Judas's kiss.” Iago's so-called loyalty is the calm before the storm of chaos he will inflict on Othello. Jealousy kills people's morality by destroying their sense of right and wrong. Iago is jealous of Cassio's promotion. He tells Roderigo: “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place” (1.1). This statement reveals his egoism, because he only considers himself for the lieutenant position and not Cassio. Because of his jealousy of Cassio, Iago has lost his sense of morality. He no longer thinks that it is wrong to kill Cassio and to misrepresent people because revenge consumes him. Iago also skillfully manipulates Othello and the people around him so that Othello would be jealous of Cassio. Othello, however, does not consider the other side of the story. Even when Desdemona pleads for her innocence, he does not listen to her. She tells Othello: “ I never did/Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio” (5.2). But Othello no longer thinks logically. While Desdemona says “A guiltless death I die” (5.2), Othello continues to believe that he deserves her death: “She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore” (5.2). It was too late when he learns the truth. When he says “O fool! fool! Fool!” (5.2), he calls himself the greatest fool for falling for such baseless lies. He realizes that he did not investigate the matter of Desdemona's affair thoroughly and that he merely surrendered to his fiery emotions. He says: “Killing myself, to die upon a kiss” (5.2), since he deserves his death as the fool murderer. It is ironic, nevertheless, that Iago does not get the better of Cassio, who soon becomes a governor. Cassio is redeemed, while Iago ends up being tortured for his transgressions. The ending is also tragic for Othello who loses everything that is important to him- the love of his life and his integrity, because he listened to a liar like Iago. Jealousy and misrepresentation do not yield happy endings for Othello and Iago, who lost their sense of morality because of their emotional weaknesses. Iago loses his integrity and position in society, because of his envy for Cassio's promotion. He wanted to be the more prominent one, but Cassio ends up with more fame and power. Othello loses even more. He loses the love of his life, reputation, and life. When he loses Desdemona, this depicts his death already, since he loved Desdemona more than his life. Realizing that he was played as a fool, Othello could not bear this fall to disgrace. This play reminds people of the evils of jealousy and lying and that it is better to have a level head when surmounting challenges and addressing rumors. For people who easily believe in hearsay can also easily say and do what is wrong, and easily be lured into a life of shame, or loss of life itself. Work Cited Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. Read More