... the tragedy of Othello. Desdemona's lack of determination to increase communication between herself and Othello ultimately brings her downfall. Desdemona and Othello fell madly in love without considering the obstacles they would have to face as a couple. As Othello tells Brabantio, "She loved me for the dangers i ... present. There was never stable communication between the two. As shown in the quote "Something sure of state, Either from Venice or some unhatch"d practice made to demonstrate here in Cyprus to him, Hath puddle his clear spirit; and in such cases Men's natures wrangle with ...

• Word Count: 751
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... her adulterous actions. He suggests that he wi! ll poison his wife, but Iago advises him to strangle her in the bed that she contaminated through her infidelity. Iago also promises to arrange Cassio's death. Desdemona enters with Lodovico, who has come from Venice with a message from the duke. Lodovico irritates Othello by inquiring about Cassio, and Desdemona irritates Othello by answering Lodovico ... 's inquiries. The contents of the letter also upset Othello "he has been called back to Venice, with orders to leave Cassio as his replacement in Cyprus. When Desdemona hears the news tha...

• Word Count: 2963
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

... selfishness. 2. Iago is a manipulative villain. Much like Richard II and Don John, his primary goal is power. He manipulated the others around him in order to amass influence and manipulating them to fuel his own selfish desires. 3. Iago's speeches make the other characters appear to be fools only falling ... them exactly what they want to hear. For example, he falsely confirms Othello's suspicions of Desdemona's infidelity and weakens their relationship as a result. 4. In the beginning of the play, we see Othello as a man who is somewhat rejected by the Venetians based on his background...

• Word Count: 800
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... with confidence, and those around him listen and obey. He accomplishes all this despite the fact that he is a Moor, which is looked down upon at this time in the predominately Christian Venice. Early on in the play, there are hardly any suggestion or hints towards a tragic flaw of his. He seems to be an all-around well-respected and honorable man. Othello ... V, Act II, lines 359-360, "I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss." Othello's tragic flaw of trusting Iago has lead to the death of his marriage, his wife, and now himself. As nave as O...

• Word Count: 1558
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... with discourse of my dear faith; It shall become thee well to act on my woes. She will attend it better in thy youth Than in a nuncio's of more grave aspect- (1.4.23-28). Not only does Twelfth Night contain contrasting settings; Othello does as well - Venice and Cyprus. In Venice there is a sense of tranquility, and perhaps a notion of better times. On the other hand ... ridiculing the musicians about their instruments: "Why masters, have your instruments been in Naples, that they speak i' th' nose thus?- (3.1.4-5). Parallel characters are common in Shakespeare's plays; they create a se...

• Word Count: 2423
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

Iago, the Perfect Character The play "Othello" begins on a street in Venice, in the midst of an argument between Roderigo and Iago. Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him court Desdemona, but Roderigo has just learned ... Roderigo intends for Desdemona and keeps them for himself. Roderigo eventually starts to question Iago's honesty, saying, "I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fobbed in it." [Act IV, Scene II, Line 213] When faced with this accusation, Iago simply offers that killing Cassio will aid his cause and Roderigo blindly falls for ... devotion to the deed, and yet he ...

• Word Count: 999
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... a significant amount of truth. For the victim this may stimulate certain insecurities that were once neglected, causing insurmountable pressure and confusion. This form of manipulation is extensively highlighted in Othello between Othello, the victim, and Iago, the manipulator. Iago is driven to convince Othello of Desdemona's infidelity. Those manipulative assertions along with Othello's hidden insecurities help ... himself. In selections from Leo Africanus's The History and Description of Africa, a work written around the same time as Othello, Africanus describes blacks as "shepherds...

• Word Count: 1083
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... exotic background because of his social position as a commanding general. The Duke of Venice, the most authoritative and powerful figure in the play, promised Brabantio to punish the offender "yea, though our proper son/Stood in your action- [1.3.68-69] Yet upon realizing the offender was indeed Othello, the ... And have their palates both for sweet and sour,/As husbands have."" [4.3.92-95] Emilia is astonished upon hearing of Iago's involvement with Desdemona's death, exclaiming a number of times "My husband?- She truly believes Iago to be honest and admirable. Yet as realization struck...

• Word Count: 3595
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School

... ask Othello to be reappointed as lieutenant. "Our general's wife is now the general Confess yourself freely to her: importune her help to put you in your place again." (Act 2 Scene 3, lines 304-316) The use of dramatic irony here foreshadows how Othello will react to Desdemona's continual asking ... reinstatement. One character of importance that Iago deceives is Othello. Iago uses discreetness to make Othello even more curious. The death of Cassio and Desdemona was foreshadowed earlier in the play and the audience knew of Othello and Iago's plan to kill Cassio and Desdemona but nobody el...

• Word Count: 1869
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... that Cassio is dead without being present when the fight takes place in Act V, scene i. Othello's status as an outsider may be the reason he is such easy prey for Iago. Although Othello is a cultural and racial outsider in Venice, his skill as a soldier and leader is nevertheless valuable and necessary ... to the state, and he is an integral part of Venetian civic society. He is in great demand by the duke and senate, as evidenced by Cassio ... traits are direct opposites of the foreign Othello. Innately, Othello admires Cassio's character, but that subconscious admiration translates t...

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