Character Development and Relations in Othello.
William Shakespeare's Othello is a play in which changes in the development of characters directly correlates to the events of the play. The title character, Othello, begins the play as a respected hero of war. But after his marriage to Desdemona and the speculations of her infidelity, his actions cause him to lose both his honor and his dignity. When the military position Iago desires is given to Cassio, Iago's malevolent nature takes over. His amoral, evil character leads him to do anything necessary to ruin those now above him. Through these events, the relationship between Othello and Iago also changes. Othello is still very trusting of Iago's advice, even though Iago is trying to bring him down. Othello is a tragedy in which the protagonist's tragic flaw of misjudging his confidant's true nature leads to his eventual downfall from prominence. .
Othello immediately assumes the role of a strong, powerful man to the reader in the first act of this play. He seems to be in control of every situation, and have the admiration and trust of all around him. He is an established military leader and warrior, which has produced his strong sense of pride and his natural leadership qualities. Throughout the first act, he speaks 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's strong character and power had caught the eye of Desdemona. She had heard of his many great battles and adventures, and loved him for that. He, on the other hand, was glad that a woman truly appreciated all that he had done for his country. Othello states in Scene III of the First Act, lines 166-167, "She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them.
