Many characters die throughout the course of Othello however, are their deaths all just? Shakespeare is a playwright widely known for tragedies where death is often glorified, and this is no different for Othello. By allowing only Iago to live in Othello, Shakespeare suggests that dying is the easy way out and the solution to all problems.
Emilia, Desdemona’s lady in waiting, is an honest and moral lady in Othello however, she can be seen diverting from this path when her loyalties change during the middle of the play, to a man who verbally abuses her. Iago sees women as inferiors, including his wife whom he continually targets condescending statements at. When Emilia tries to satisfy her husband by giving him Desdemona’s handkerchief which “[h]e hath a hundred times/Woo’d [her] to steal” (3.3.292), it leads to Desdemona’s downfall instead. Shakespeare kills Emilia so she does not have to face the guilt for these actions, thus being the easiest way out of her dilemma. Not to mention, Iago spites Emilia and calls her “[a] good wench” …show more content…
He will have to face further torture, now physically, for when he returns to Venice. Dying would free Iago from facing the aftermath of his crimes, which is something he does not deserve.
Although one may think that Shakespeare’s Othello is a fair and just play where the antagonist is punished and the protagonists are at peace, it is not as it seems. Innocent and honourable characters die whereas the dishonourable ones live. After closely examining Othello and Emilia‘s death, one can conclude that it easier and more advantageous to die rather than to face all your problems. The fact that Iago lives proves that he is not honourable and thus is not given an easy way out of his misery. Shakespeare’s tragedies continue to prove that “’tis happiness to die”
Emilia, Desdemona’s lady in waiting, is an honest and moral lady in Othello however, she can be seen diverting from this path when her loyalties change during the middle of the play, to a man who verbally abuses her. Iago sees women as inferiors, including his wife whom he continually targets condescending statements at. When Emilia tries to satisfy her husband by giving him Desdemona’s handkerchief which “[h]e hath a hundred times/Woo’d [her] to steal” (3.3.292), it leads to Desdemona’s downfall instead. Shakespeare kills Emilia so she does not have to face the guilt for these actions, thus being the easiest way out of her dilemma. Not to mention, Iago spites Emilia and calls her “[a] good wench” …show more content…
He will have to face further torture, now physically, for when he returns to Venice. Dying would free Iago from facing the aftermath of his crimes, which is something he does not deserve.
Although one may think that Shakespeare’s Othello is a fair and just play where the antagonist is punished and the protagonists are at peace, it is not as it seems. Innocent and honourable characters die whereas the dishonourable ones live. After closely examining Othello and Emilia‘s death, one can conclude that it easier and more advantageous to die rather than to face all your problems. The fact that Iago lives proves that he is not honourable and thus is not given an easy way out of his misery. Shakespeare’s tragedies continue to prove that “’tis happiness to die”