... Othello kills himself. THEMES Major Theme The major theme of Othello is the destructive power of jealousy. Because Othello is a totally jealous man, he easily falls prey to Iago's plotting and scheming. His mind is poisoned by the jealousy, and it leads, both directly and indirectly, to the deaths of ... Iago has an honest face, which helps hide his deceitful soul. Othello appears to be strong and courageous, a leading general, but he is easily tricked into fearing that his wife is unfaithful. It appears that Desdemona has left her treasured handkerchief with Cassio; in reality, Emilia h...

• Word Count: 4125
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

... though the story concludes with their death. Some scholars have called into question the believability of these deaths, specifically how Othello could be so easily persuaded to turn against the woman he loved, Desdemona. Focus on the verbal abilities and plotting of Iago is utilized in most scholarly studies ... prosperity and dedication that would lead to her ultimate happiness. She had achieved what is supposedly the epitome of a woman's role – she had found a husband who she could love with all her being.  She reflected that through her actions and dialogue. She could not have pos...

• Word Count: 4504
• Approx Pages: 18

... from a modern perspective, as pathetic, while from an Elizabethan audience's point of view she can be seen as an honourable character. Women like Hero were easily slandered as, in Elizabethan times, female sexuality was something feared by men. They were seen to have a dangerous power to tempt and seduce which was beyond ... of honour rather than doing what is expected of her as a woman. The refusal to submit to the male ideal of female honour can also be found in the character of Beatrice. She seeks revenge on Claudio, but recognises that as a woman she is unable to do it herself, sayi...

• Word Count: 4511
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: High School

... above the happiness of others. This attitude is presented most prominently in the line "Since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found a man that knew how to love himself-, which also suggests that he mistrusts the rest of humanity for its inability to realise that human ideals are ... "Till I am evened with him, wife for wife- infers a susceptibility to such pride being wounded, in the same way as Brabantio when he found that his jewel' had been stolen from him. These occasional indications that Iago is a victim of his own frustration and failed ambitions, and...

• Word Count: 2807
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Graduate

The many themes and symbols found in Shakespeare's books are numerous and very deep. Some of them stand for a little part of his plays, and others can almost be called the play themselves. In Othello, reputation ... others". Iago knows this theme very well - for example, when Iago states, " I am not what I am." in the beginning of the play, he already shows how he has managed to found favor among people based on lying and deceit, and not by actually being a true, honest person (Shakespeare 1.1.71). Iago knows and acknowledges his solid honor and takes advantage of it ... Cassio. Should othe...

• Word Count: 1313
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... his existence. Often critics tend to concentrate on discrediting his motives. Describing Iago's motives as being weak has almost become a given. There are two general ideas from the sources that I found. One of the ideas sees Iago as a conspicuous character whose sole purpose is to generate evil. Another analysis of Iago is that Shakespeare has created Iago to be a very dramatic ... against Othello starts when Othello names Michael Cassio his lieutenant rather than Iago. This motive would have been valid if he had not involved Desdemona and Emilia. He could have easily gotten revenge at...

• Word Count: 1715
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... translates to jealousy when Iago nudges him in that direction. Cassio is fairly static throughout the play.  He is an honest and upstanding character. Roderigo Roderigo is a very weak and easily manipulated character. From the very first speech of the play, Roderigo says, "I take it much unkindly/ That thou Iago, who has had my purse/ As if the string were ... him for his mettle, he immediately falls back to the old pattern. Ironically, he is murdered by the man that he trusts, but he manages to denounce Iago in a letter found on his person after his death. Emilia Emilia is the mos...

• Word Count: 2512
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... and the soldiers are on that is made of wood can hold out at the mountainous waves. This shows us the power of nature and how storms cannot be overcome easily along with the destruction that comes with this natural power. Line 19 - Power of Nature Another example of the power of the storm in this scene is that the Montano ... listening to what she has to say about Cassio. Hence she says "my lord is not my lord." Line 182 - "I found it in my chamber..." Bianca comes in with Desdemona's handkerchief asking whose it is and Cassio says, "I know not either; I found it in my chamber." Act 4, ...

• Word Count: 3368
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School

... you usually end up with destroying yourself. In olden days it could be linked to treason and such you were killed In politics today if a member of a political party is found to be untrue to the course and to use his position to better himself he is held in scorn and his career would be over. In business inside trading is ... commonly known as, and commonly called, "Honest Iago." He even says of himself, "I am an honest man...." [Act II, Scene III, Line 245] Trust is a very powerful emotion that is easily abused. And he uses this as a tool to implement and complete his own plan. The Book...

• Word Count: 1113
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... ." (Act 4, scene 2, 181-82). Iago deceived yet another character, Roderigo, into paying him to try and get "beautiful, sweet" Desdemona close to him. However, as all the other characters eventually found out, Iago's intentions were for nobody's pleasure other than his own. This created mixed feeling of jealousy and mistrust between the characters. All of the above situations were caused by ... is Othello's failure to distinguish between what is true and what is not that leads to the tragic outcome. In his last major speech Othello explains that he was "not easily jealous, but being wroug...

• Word Count: 1955
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... ." (Act 4, scene 2, 181-82). Iago deceived yet another character, Roderigo, into paying him to try and get "beautiful, sweet" Desdemona close to him. However, as all the other characters eventually found out, Iago's intentions were for nobody's pleasure other than his own. This created mixed feeling of jealousy and mistrust between the characters. All of the above situations were caused by ... is Othello's failure to distinguish between what is true and what is not that leads to the tragic outcome. In his last major speech Othello explains that he was "not easily jealous, but being wroug...

• Word Count: 1955
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

Othello: Truly Noble or Truly Not After reading Othello by Shakespeare over about 3 times, I came to feel sorry for a man that I can easily say was gulled into tragedy by his own true nobility. I can see Othello as a man that could sit at the "Round Table" with King Arthur and rank among those legendary ... chivalry. At his end, he had nothing. The Duke calls Othello "Valiant Othello" (1057) Othello also stands ready to face Brabantio, Iago tells him to run. Othello - "Not I; I must be found. My parts, my title and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly. (1054) As grand as his internal ch...

• Word Count: 1363
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... . Then Othello sees the handkerchief with Cassio, and this is when he is convinced that Desdemona is cheating on him. For Othello to draw this conclusion shows that he is easily cajoled into losing faith in his wife, and that he takes people at face value. Neither of these traits can be in any way linked to his race. Othello is ... helps plan each of their moments of revenge. Aaron is a slave, yet he has a large amount of power for someone whose station grants him none. This is because he has found methods that he can use to get exactly what he wants out of life. In order to do this he s...

• Word Count: 1913
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... see that most of characters have racist comments, as well. The main characters that have racist attitudes are Iago, Brabantio, Roderigo and Emilia in the play. For instance; when Emilia found that Othello had killed Desdemona she got crazy and called him as "Blacker Devil" (W. Shakespeare, p:129). Emilia, is disgusted from Othello when she finds that Othello had killed her lady ... ". (W. Shakespeare, p:26). In addition to that, Iago never says anything racist to Othello's face because he tries to be his best friend, so he can take revenge from him very easily. Besides, Iago is jealous o...

• Word Count: 1299
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... is based on storytelling and pity; he objectifies his wife at every point, and does not trust her in the least. And while it might be debatable whether Othello is "easily jealous" or just gullible, he does buy Iago's tale of deceit based on a handkerchief and words. This is all Othello says in relation, besides a description of his tears - which, no ... someone destroyed by circumstance and evil. But the superficiality of his marriage and the fact that if he had only been honest to his wife and lieutenant he would have found out the truth point in another direction. Othello could lead, ...

• Word Count: 1266
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... on both roles. Desdemona's actions and demeanor change throughout the play, depicting a self-effacing, loyal wife, while also showing a gallant, independent woman. Her strong side is subtle and can be easily overlooked and mistaken for quiet submissiveness, though it is this subtle strength that makes Desdemona such a powerful character. Desdemona is not unlike many women today; she is torn between her ... are the very sheets that Othello uses to killer her with. Desdemona's previous acceptance of her death is another indication of both her strength and her weakness. Strength can be fou...

• Word Count: 1594
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... was possible for Desdemona to actually have an affair. It didn't occur to him, that it would be practically impossible since people always surrounded her. After Othello was convinced rather easily, that Desdemona had cheated on him with Cassio, he began to plan to murder her. He decided that Desdemona should have no trail or fair say in the matter, and ... were best."" (Act 5 Sc. 2, line 198) Othello committed acts of murder and violence for no other purpose but to avenge his own ego. After all that occurred, and when Othello found out that in fact Desdemona was innocent he was still tr...

• Word Count: 785
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... virus. It spreads from person to person until everyone infected is dead. The revenge begins with Iago and consumes almost the entire cast of characters. The revenge virus is first found in Iago. He believes Othello has wronged him by choosing Cassio as his lieutenant. He feels the need to have his vengeance on Othello and Cassio. He also knows that ... ideas in the General's head that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Othello, being an honorable man, who would not think to question the word of his ensign, is easily swayed to follies of revenge. Iago The Moor is of a free and op...

• Word Count: 860
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... , Brabantio finally realizes that his daughter has eloped with Othello, and demands a search to find them. Iago knows that this will surely bring no good for Othello once they are found together. Three proofs that show Iagos hatred: 1)Iago : " Call up her father, Rouse him, make after him, poison his delight, Proclaim him in the streets, Incense her kinsmen, And, though ... Iago in the first place to help him get Desdemona, he must be well off.Also, it is noticeable that he is not very strong in character and can be easily overpowered, and influences by stronger ones such as Iago who hav...

• Word Count: 510
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... that the protagonist overcome his fate by learning from his mistakes, by overcoming his tragic flaw. Othello and Nora are two tragic figures in different senses. Othello's flaw is being easily manipulated, which leads to his tragic fate by believing the lies of Iago. Nora's flaw is her ignorance to reality and the sacrificing of "herself" to please her father and ... her live her own life. Instead she was an object of his affection, a "Toy Doll". Nora was killing herself by not acknowledging Torvald's true character, which comes out after he found out about Nora 's crime. He didn't want...

• Word Count: 734
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... alone, revenge. He always felt as if Othello wasn't worthy of the respect that he had from everyone around him. Iago was jealous of Othello's high position in society, and found that he was not worthy of Desdemona's heart. So Iago was going to do whatever it took to ruin Othello's reputation. After achieving the position of lieutenant by eliminating Cassio ... thinking they are talking about Desdemona. After Iago has gained the trust of Othello, Othello doesn't think twice about the fact that Iago and Cassio speak of the adultery so easily. He sees Iago as a friend, and thinks that Iago...

• Word Count: 669
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... his mother I will say only this: even if he does fit into Freud's psychoanalytic profile any argument supporting the theory is simply speculation and can be explained away just as easily as it is supported. For one thing we know that throughout the play Hamlet either truly is insane or is feigning madness. That in and of itself can be considered ... opposing strengths and weaknesses; in almost every way that Hamlet shines his uncle is seen to be lacking. By the same token Claudius stands out in traits that Hamlet is found deficient in. Claudius is balanced, decisive, and clearly does ma...

• Word Count: 3419
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... . Then Othello sees the handkerchief with Cassio, and this is when he is convinced that Desdemona is cheating on him. For Othello to draw this conclusion shows that he is easily cajoled into losing faith in his wife, and that he takes people at face value. Neither of these traits can be in any way linked to his race. Othello is ... helps plan each of their moments of revenge. Aaron is a slave, yet he has a large amount of power for someone whose station grants him none. This is because he has found methods that he can use to get exactly what he wants out of life. In order to do this he s...

• Word Count: 1882
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School