What are the Causes of Othello's Downfall and how has Shakespeare Portrayed Them?.
Throughout the Shakespearean tragedy Othello, the main character Othello undergoes an almost complete transformation as we witness his downfall from who he was at the beginning of the play to who he becomes at the end. Upon the play's completion Othello has become a murderous avenger, barely recognisable as the loving husband he once was. There are many causes of Othello demise. Othello experiences divisions within him and splits in his sensibilities and psychologies, initially caused by the scheming Iago. The seeds of division planted, Iago has only to sit back and watch the plant of uncertainty and self-doubt take root as Othello's own psyche deceives and confuses him. The effects of Othello's metamorphosis are dire, resulting in death, destruction and sorrow; in essence the tragedy of the play itself, Othello's demise, is caused by this transformation.
The most prominent cause behind Othello's downfall portrayed by Shakespeare is Iago, as he deliberately plots and is the direct instigator of the downfall of Othello. Iago says that Othello will be, "as tenderly led by the nose as assess are," and sets out to, "make him thank me, love me and reward me for making him egregiously an ass." Iago manifests self-doubt within Othello and the belief that Desdemona, Othello's wife, is cheating on him with Cassio his friend. Iago sparks thoughts in Othello's mind with questions such as, "Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, Know of your love?" or by muttering under his breath, "Ha, I like not that," when Cassio visits Desdemona. Iago warns Othello, "Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio." Shakespeare intensifies Iago's manipulative techniques as he begins to use words like "cuckhold," personifying animalistic imagery and thoughts like, "She did deceive her father, marrying you, and when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks, She loved them most," echoing Brabantio's (Desdemona's father) last comment before parting with Othello- "Look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see, She has deceived her father, and may thee.
