Concealing Flaws in Othello
The various characters of the play Othello, by William Shakespeare, each have clearly strong personalities and ambitions. Most of the characters also have seemingly positive virtues, which they are often defined by, such as Iago’s honesty, or Othello’s bravery. Imperfections are rarely noticed, or brought up by any individual, unless a person’s faults become particularly evident. When a character’s weaknesses do get revealed though, it is likely because someone or something has provoked them, for example Cassio’s flaws are revealed through his exposure to alcohol, and Othello’s through irrational jealousy. This fact is obvious seeing as though most individuals concentrate on keeping their imperfections hidden during …show more content…
Othello appears to be a confident and noble leader, however one miniscule seed of jealousy planted in his mind almost immediately shatters the delicate image of his virtues, completely exposing his true flaws. The ease with which Iago is able to manipulate Othello like this clearly shows how susceptible the Moor is to self-destruction. Othello, upon being told of Iago’s theory regarding Cassio and Desdemona, begins to doubt himself: “I do not think but Desdemona’s honest. / … And yet, how nature erring from itself – ” (3.3.265, 267). What particularly demonstrates his vulnerability, along with how quickly he goes from …show more content…
Iago is again the one who this time provokes the flaws out from behind Cassio’s facade. After Iago gets him drunk, Cassio lets down his guard enough to expose some of his true feelings: “Ay, but, by your leave, not before me. The lieutenant is to be saved before the Ancient. Let’s have no more of this” (2.3.113-115). Cassio, previously supposed to be a humble man, has now confirmed that he is in fact selfish, and self centered, very unrespectable qualities considering how he wishes to be viewed. Additionally, the fact that he is somewhat angrily correcting Iago in this situation implies that he not only cares about his own importance, but adamantly wants others to care also. After his drunken fight loses him his position, Cassio begins to be shown as disloyal as well, such as when he is speaking to his lover, Bianca: “I do attend here on the General, / And think it no addition, nor my wish, / To have him see me womaned” (3.4.221-223). Cassio is not only proven disloyal to his wife by having a lover, but also seems to be embarrassed of her, at least in terms of Othello knowing about the relationship. After he loses his status, this conversation with his lover makes it obvious that Cassio’s supposed love for Othello mainly revolves around his desire for power. By
The various characters of the play Othello, by William Shakespeare, each have clearly strong personalities and ambitions. Most of the characters also have seemingly positive virtues, which they are often defined by, such as Iago’s honesty, or Othello’s bravery. Imperfections are rarely noticed, or brought up by any individual, unless a person’s faults become particularly evident. When a character’s weaknesses do get revealed though, it is likely because someone or something has provoked them, for example Cassio’s flaws are revealed through his exposure to alcohol, and Othello’s through irrational jealousy. This fact is obvious seeing as though most individuals concentrate on keeping their imperfections hidden during …show more content…
Othello appears to be a confident and noble leader, however one miniscule seed of jealousy planted in his mind almost immediately shatters the delicate image of his virtues, completely exposing his true flaws. The ease with which Iago is able to manipulate Othello like this clearly shows how susceptible the Moor is to self-destruction. Othello, upon being told of Iago’s theory regarding Cassio and Desdemona, begins to doubt himself: “I do not think but Desdemona’s honest. / … And yet, how nature erring from itself – ” (3.3.265, 267). What particularly demonstrates his vulnerability, along with how quickly he goes from …show more content…
Iago is again the one who this time provokes the flaws out from behind Cassio’s facade. After Iago gets him drunk, Cassio lets down his guard enough to expose some of his true feelings: “Ay, but, by your leave, not before me. The lieutenant is to be saved before the Ancient. Let’s have no more of this” (2.3.113-115). Cassio, previously supposed to be a humble man, has now confirmed that he is in fact selfish, and self centered, very unrespectable qualities considering how he wishes to be viewed. Additionally, the fact that he is somewhat angrily correcting Iago in this situation implies that he not only cares about his own importance, but adamantly wants others to care also. After his drunken fight loses him his position, Cassio begins to be shown as disloyal as well, such as when he is speaking to his lover, Bianca: “I do attend here on the General, / And think it no addition, nor my wish, / To have him see me womaned” (3.4.221-223). Cassio is not only proven disloyal to his wife by having a lover, but also seems to be embarrassed of her, at least in terms of Othello knowing about the relationship. After he loses his status, this conversation with his lover makes it obvious that Cassio’s supposed love for Othello mainly revolves around his desire for power. By