Iago, "most honest" (I, iii, 7) in the eyes of his companions, is, in fact, truly the opposite. ... This loss of rational causes Iago to "make a life of jealousy" (III, iii, 204) and plots to destroy Othello. ... At first, Othello does not believe Iago; but his "degradation is complete" (Godfrey 418) by the end of the "Temptation Scene" (III, iii). ... He immediately "passes sentence[s] of death" (Godfrey 418) to Cassio and Desdemona, deciding that Desdemona should die "some swift means of death" (III, iii, 479). ... For example, he calls Desdemona a "haggard" (III, iii, 261), while also label...

• Word Count: 920
• Approx Pages: 4

However, as the play progresses and Iago's "monstrous birth- (I,iii) begins to sprout in Othello's "garden- (I,iii), he begins to conform to the assumptions and expectations which he so strongly contradicted in the open stages of the play. Othello even says himself that "passion, having my best judgement collied/ Assays to lead the way- (II,iii). Othello gradually strays from his original composure and dignity to the point where a sudden outcry of "O, blood, blood, blood- (III,iii) is the only way he can express his extreme jealousy and rage. ... (I,iii) Initially, Desdemona is...

• Word Count: 1558
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Though the name of the play written by William Shakespeare is called "Othello," the character Othello is not the main character, but rather Iago is. Iago is the character who drives the play, he is the one who makes things happen. Without his greed and hated, there would be no play at all. The whole...

• Word Count: 1097
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

These are shown in Act I sc iii when he explains his love for Desdemona and Act II sc I upon reuniting with Desdemona. ... For example, a senator remarks here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor' (I, iii, 47) upon his entrance. ... (I, iii, 48) As a military man, Othello exhibits great dignity and self-control as he refuses to retreat before Brabantio. ... However his racial insecurity is evident in his first soliloquy when he says Haply for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation' (III, iii, 263) It is at this point that Othello loses confidence both in hims...

• Word Count: 1048
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

(II. iii. 245). ... By penetrating their deepest fears and concerns, he then uses them to "make the net that shall enmesh them all" into a jealous web of hatred (II. iii. 356). ... For example, the friendship and honesty Iago falsely imposes upon Othello makes it difficult for him to conceive the possibility that Iago's motives are fowl, therefore believing him to be a person "of exceeding honesty, [who] knows all qualities, with a learned spirit" (III. iii. 45). ...

• Word Count: 781
• Approx Pages: 3

This it is, general (II, iii, 214-217) Shakespeare uses harsh, graphic images to naturally make Othello believe Iago. ... (II, iii, 240-242) Since Iago takes what Othello says as the truth, without getting a second opinion or thinking through the matter himself, Cassio is pulled from his rank as a lieutenant. ... Othello: Fetch't: let me see't (III, iv, 72-79) This shows Othello's persistence to obtain truth but because Iago has already infected Othello's mind with lies, he does not see the truth as it lies right in front of him. ...

• Word Count: 536
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Othello is trusted by everyone in Venice being called, "valiant Othello" and "brave Othello" and described as "...more fair than black" (I, iii, 286). ... This can be seen when Cassio says, "I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest [than Iago]" (III, I, 38) and Othello refers to Iago's "...honesty and love..." (II, iii, 28). ... (III, iii, 203-205), using Othello's tragic flaw. ...

• Word Count: 1159
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Othello is trusted by everyone in Venice being called, "valiant Othello" and "brave Othello" and described as "...more fair than black" (I, iii, 286). ... This can be seen when Cassio says, "I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest [than Iago]" (III, I, 38) and Othello refers to Iago's "...honesty and love..." (II, iii, 28). ... (III, iii, 203-205), using Othello's tragic flaw. ...

• Word Count: 1078
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

(III. iii. 876) This quote is said by Emilia in a soliloquy after she has stolen the handkerchief. ... (III. iii. 876) she has clearly set her priorities in order. ... (III. iii. 886-887) Emilia's effort for Iago's approval is ineffective and hurtful. ...

• Word Count: 1495
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

(III, iii, 227-229). ... (III, iii, 400-409) Undoubtedly, Othello had taken Iago's words far to seriously without any real evidence, and therefore, these illusions cause him to suffer immensely. ... (III, iii, 496-498). ...

• Word Count: 1633
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

" (IV iii lines 71-73). ... If Emilia truly had love in her heart for her dear Desdemona, she would have returned the handkerchief to Desdemona after seeing the immense amount of pain it caused her in Act IV scene ii and iii. ... " (II iii lines 18-22). ...

• Word Count: 1300
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Heroic Men and Women in Othello In Shakespeare's Othello many terrible situations befall on the characters contained in the play. Our main and title character, Othello, is especially ravished by evil deeds. He looses his mind, his wife and his own life all within the span of about two acts. ...

• Word Count: 1287
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

" (Othello, Scene III, Act I). ... He also hates Othello: "I hate the Moor; 'Has done my office; I know not if't true; But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety" (Act 1, Scene III. ...

• Word Count: 952
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Kelly Sherriffs Since the beginning of time manipulation has been part of the human psyche. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago is a perfect example of this character trait. He uses his power of deception to play with the emotions of other characters, who in turn all fall victim to...

• Word Count: 739
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Othello Act I I.i: Iago, complaining that he has been passed over for promotion, expresses to Roderigo his hatred of Othello. They wake Brabantio and reveal that his daughter, Desdemona has run off with Othello. I.ii: Iago complains to Othello about Roderigo. Cassio comes to get Othello for t...

• Word Count: 707
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Act III While Desdemona is listening to Cassio's pleas for her to intercede with Othello, Iago is beginning to insinuate to the Moor the possibility of hi wife's infidelity; doubts are cast on Cassio's honesty, and the looseness of Venetian women is cited. ...

• Word Count: 696
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Shakespeare used many different character traits to compose full-bodied characters that we can still relate to today. These characters are similar to those that we would perhaps see in a current action movie in that they have the same traits as our villains and protagonists. Having been introduced t...

• Word Count: 826
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Although Othello appears at the beginning of the second scene, we do not hear his name until well into Act I, scene iii (I.iii.48). ... For example, in spite of his obvious eloquence in Act I, scene iii, he protests, "Rude am I in my speech,/ And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace" (I.iii.81–82). ... At the end of Act I, scene iii, Iago says he thinks Othello may have slept with his wife, Emilia: "It is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets He has done my office" (I.iii.369–370). ...

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

When looking back at one's life, it seems as though everyone always looks to the points in life where things went wrong, for example, cheating on a girlfriend, failing a test, getting in a huge fight with family. The same is the case for Othello when he looks back on his life right before he kills h...

• Word Count: 1345
• Approx Pages: 5

Manipulation In Othello Iago's manipulative use of language and Desdemona and Emilia's honesty are major themes in Othello. Iago uses language to manipulate other characters so that he can get his revenge on Othello for hiring Cassio instead of him. On the other hand Desdemona and Emilia use l...

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

Desdemona does love Othello though, as she states here, "I saw Othello's visage in his mind, and to his honours and his viliant parts did I my soul and fortunes consecrate"(Othello Act III. sc.iii li. 250-252). ...

• Word Count: 976
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

When analyzing the character of Emilia in Shakespeare's "Othello," one must take into account her conjugal relationship with Iago; an unconventional type of love that Emilia falls deeply into and eventually leads her to the edge of villainy. Emilia, is the wife of Iago and attendant of Desdemona and...

• Word Count: 1207
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The dictionary defines gullibility as "a tendency to believe too readily and therefore to be easily deceived.?Gullible people are often laughed at and are led to many unlucky situations. Basically, gullibility is not a very good characteristic to have. In Othello, Othello is first portrayed as a nob...

• Word Count: 1131
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

"There is more to it than meets the eye." - W.H. Auden Lies and deceptions are common in today's world; they often hide the inner appearance of a person's identity. They mask the individual's true motives with a veneer. In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is no different than a deceptive individual who ...

• Word Count: 972
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

SCENE SUMMARIES AND NOTES Act I, Scene 1 The play opens late at night on a street in Venice. Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian gentleman, is discussing the marriage of Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio. Earlier in the evening, she had eloped with Othello, a Moor who is a respected General in the Venetian army. Roderigo is angry with Iago, for he has paid him a handsome sum to win the love of Desdemona for himself and to keep him informed of her love life. Iago, like Roderigo, is a frustrated man. ...

• Word Count: 6585
• Approx Pages: 26
• Grade Level: High School