Othello



Othello

Unit 3 Discussion: Othello

1. What seems to be the motivation for Iago's treachery?

Iago was no motivated to turn into a treachery on a singular point, but multiple issues persuaded him to become a treachery to Othello. Firstly, he was disappointed on the appointment of Othello as the chief of the army, whereas, he did not belong to Vietnam. Secondly, Iago had a misconception that Othello had slept with his wife Emilia and Iago wanted revenge for this issue. Thirdly, as Othello promoted Cassio on a higher lieutenant rank then Iago he had some bad breath against Cassio as well for this purpose.

2. Compare and contrast Cassio and Iago as lieutenants under Othello's leadership.

Cassio was a brave lieutenant who strongly believed upon the judgments and decision of Othello. He was fond of his leader and his wife and most of the time wanted to please his senior Othello as he largely admired him for his military skills. Iago was very smart and cunning but had a hidden rivalry with Othello and did not totally agreed with the brave tactics of Othello and possessed a different opinion, but his military skills were never under rated by Othello as he catered the advices of Iago very seriously.

3. Select one of the following characters; determine his or her insecurity, and demonstrate how Iago is able to use that insecurity to his intentions: Roderigo, Cassio, Othello, Desdemona, or Emilia.

Othello was a very brave and intelligent military leader with exceptional leadership skills, who was madly in love with his wife Desdemona. However, due to his physical appearance and extra ordinary beauty of Desdemona, Othello always had a sense of insecurity that she would betray him for someone else as she betrayed her father and fiancée for Othello. Othello's insecurity further stretched because of the independent personality of Desdemona.

4. How do we understand Desdemona's statement “Nobody; I myself” (5.2.128)? While it is never appropriate to blame the victim, what does this statement tell us about Desdemona?

The above mentioned statement tells how strong a person Desdemona was. She was very smart to understand the insecurities of her husband and to further understand that the misconception which Othello has created in his mind can never be eliminated. It further shows how big hearted she was as she did not blamed either Othello or any other characters of her murder instead blamed herself for her murder although she was very innocent in the case.

5. Is Iago human or demonic? What evidence can you find?

Iago cannot be considered demonic, he was absolutely human. His was not a born evil, it was just that as the society under rated his mind his skills and more or less considered him a joker more than a leader or a great military man, it was his style of showing society how capable he was to demolish the best of the society.

Iago's evil actions were not planned or executed to harm the society; it was his personnel jealousy and rivalry with Othello and ...