Iago's Jealousy In Othello

Register to read the introduction… Throughout the play, Othello’s actions cause him to fall and his reputation to turn to filth. The biggest mistake Othello makes is being too trusting of the wrong person. Othello thinks that Iago is honest; ironically, he is the most dishonest of all the characters. When Iago tells Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful, Othello believes Iago without any physical proof. The reason as to why Othello believes Iago is questionable, but literary critic Marcia Macaulay suggests that, “Othello falls prey to Iago’s story telling because he himself is a story teller, a man whose tale seduces Desdemona and has the power, according to the Duke, to win all the daughters of Venice” (260). Because of Othello’s great ability to tell stories, he falls for a good story more easily. Once Iago generates suspicion in Othello, he reads Desdemona’s words too deeply and finds hidden meanings that Desdemona did not intend. Othello trusts Iago instead of Desdemona because he believes men are more trustworthy. Also, Iago has years of experience in marriage, where Othello has none, causing Othello to trust Iago more. As Othello believes Desdemona is unfaithful, jealousy overtakes him and he is no longer the Othello with all the shining qualities. Because of Othello’s extreme jealousy, even small things make the evidence of Desdemona’s affair with Cassio seem set in stone. As Othello becomes more and more caught …show more content…
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