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Othello - Think For Yourself

 

            
             It is the inherent tendencies of humans that can either control lives or be controlled. Let loose, these tendencies can cause both happiness and death without notice. In William Shakespeare's Othello, Othello's nature and personality make him an easy target for Iago's villainy.
             The nature of trust is the act of putting all faith in someone to provide truth. Othello puts all of his faith in Iago to provide truth, the one person looking to hurt him. Iago takes advantage of Othello's trusting nature to manipulate him. When Iago succeeds in getting Michael Cassio drunk, he changes the story of what happened during the fight to make Othello turn on Cassio saying:.
             Touch me not so near.
             I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth.
             Then it should do offence to Michael Cassio.
             Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth.
             Shall nothing wrong him. This it is, general (II, iii, 214-217).
             Shakespeare uses harsh, graphic images to naturally make Othello believe Iago. If someone is willing to have their tongue cut from their mouth, then they must be telling the truth. Shakespeare also uses some simple mind-play to get Othello to demote Michael Cassio. Iago pretends to be one of Cassio's beloved confidents and Othello replies:.
             .
             I know, Iago,.
             Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,.
             Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee.
             But nevermore be officer of mine. (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. This demonstrates how Othello can be easily manipulated to do what Iago wants him to do.
             Othello is a very narrow-minded individual and tends to believe the first truth thrown at him, regardless of what other truths may follow. His horrible ability to judge character is what makes him very vulnerable to Iago's villainy. It is ironic how Othello can put full trust in Iago, the one person trying to deceive him, and not believe his own wife with whom he took vows to honour each other's honesty and responsibility.


Essays Related to Othello - Think For Yourself

1. Othello

His aggression against Othello starts when Othello names Michael Cassio his lieutenant rather than Iago. ... Many critics would agree with this and would be content to think that Shakespeare created Iago to merely show evil. ... (Othello, 2.1.300-302) He comes right out and admits that he is jealous of Othello. ... If Iago were not jealous of Othello, he would not be looking for reasons to commit this scheme against Othello. ... This shift in motive is evident when Iago says, "Confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again (Othello, 2.3, 318-319). ...

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2. Iago - Othello

Iago hates Othello for two reasons. ... This plan will make Iago the only person that Othello believes he can trust, and Iago will use this trust to manipulate Othello. ... Iago has no reason to hate Othello, but because he is an evil person Iago wants to ruin Othello's life. ... Othello loves Desdemona so much that if she believes Cassio to be trustworthy, Othello will believe it also. Our general's wife is now the general Confess yourself freely to her. ...

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3. Shakespeare and the Tragedy: Hamlet and Othello

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  • Word Count: 3419
  • Approx Pages: 14
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4. Film - Dystopia in Children of Men

Furthermore, Othellos direct statement of still questioned me the story of my life, contrasts Brabantios reports of Othellos supposed use of witchcraft, as Othello claims that Brabantio too was awed by the stories. This statement is strategically said to demote the power of Brabantio and weaken his claims, allowing the Duke to side with Othello, as evident when the Duke exclaims I think this tale would win my daughter too, emphasising his admiration towards and trust in Othellos speech. ... Devastated and ashamed by his demotion after being intoxicated with alcohol, Cassio is persuaded by Iago...

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5. Shakespearian Tragedy

This stimulating desire is only a decision made by yourself, but brought on by others. ... Lastly, the entire play of Othello revolves around the temptation of Othello by Iago. ... Here Iago is actually getting Othello to ask him what he is thinking, not directly telling him, but using his suspision against him making him ask what Iago thinks so that, cleverly, he cannot be blamed later on. ... He does this, making Othello's suspicions work against him, making him ask and from there onwards puts concocted words into Othello's mind. ... Tragedy usually occurs because of choices we...

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6. Iago

Iago plans to ruin Othello, in doing so, make Iago the only person that Othello believes and trusts, and Iago will use this trust to manipulate Othello. ... Iago states that the reasons for his hate are that Othello slept with Emilia and Cassio was chosen to be Othello's Lieutenant. ... Iago has no reason to hate Othello, but because he is an evil person Iago wants to ruin Othello's life. ... Othello loves Desdemona so much that if she believes Cassio to be trustworthy, Othello will believe it also. Our general's wife is now the general Confess yourself freely to her. ...

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  • Grade Level: High School

7. Name, Honor, and Reputation

In Othello, reputation is one of the play's most under-riding themes. ... At this point, Cassio cannot think of anything except of his own reputation, and the degradation of his character is very obvious. ... Confess yourself freely to her. ... //OTHELLO - Good, good! ... Othello never saw if Desdemona really did commit adultery or not. ...

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8. Shakespeare's Parallels

By not trusting Desdemona, Othello betrays her. He tells Iago: "By the world, I think my wife is honest and I think she is not- (3.3.438-439). ... Additionally, in Othello eavesdropping takes place. To further his plot, Iago convinces Othello to watch Cassio's conversation about Bianca with Iago but Othello is told it is about Desdemona. ... Confine yourself but in a patient list [ . . . ] I say but mark his gesture- (4.1.89-102). ...

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

9. Good and Evil

Why didn't you pick a lot for yourself?' ... Similarly, Desdemona in Othello has morals of good nature. ... She is disillusioned at the fact that women would consider being unfaithful to their husbands and asks, "Dost thou in conscience think-tell me, Emilia-/That there be women do abuse their husbands/In such gross kind?... (Shakespeare 5.2.6-13) By killing Desdemona Othello puts the light out. ... Iago uses Desdemona's light to destroy Othello. ...

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