Othello: Breaking A Man

What does it take to break a man? And [BL1] moreover, what does it mean to break a man? Does it mean fracturing every bone and limb in his body, until he is nothing more than a pile of flesh on the ground? Or is it something more, something deeper. Does breaking a man entail tearing him to pieces from within, abolishing every ounce of sanity he has left, until he cannot even recognize himself in the mirror, until all hope and happiness have vanished, and he has lost himself and his essence. Can a man even reach such a low point in his life? Could a mind deteriorate so far to the point where everything has lost all meaning? Say, for a moment, that the answer is yes, that it can, that he can. What would that even look like? While most will not …show more content…
It is this very relationship that drives the plot forward, that causes the eventual deterioration of Othello and Odin’s minds and their rapid descents into madness. In the play, Iago is Othello’s standard-bearer, or ancient. He is enraged at the latter for not appointing him lieutenant, a position he believes he ought to have, as opposed to the younger, more inexperienced Cassio. He is so infuriated with this that he vows to destroy Othello, opting to use the young lieutenant and Othello’s wife, Desdemona, to aid in his plans against him. This plays out similarly in the film when Odin is chosen as the most valuable player of the school basketball team. Instead of sharing the award with fellow teammate and friend, Hugo, Odin shares it with another of his friends, Michael. Hugo becomes so upset by this apparent act of betrayal, that he begins plotting ways to exact his revenge on Odin by using Michael and the former’s girlfriend, Desi, to his advantage. In both works, Iago and Hugo see how close and affectionate Cassio and Michael are with Desdemona and Desi, and.they know how deeply Othello and Odin care for their women. They use the two facts to their advantage and begin planting seeds in Othello and Odin’s minds that there is something going on between Cassio and Desdemona, and Michael and Desi. They both suggest that there is an affair present, one occurring behind Othello and Odin’s backs that they have yet to find out about. All of this happens indirectly. At no point in either of the plots do Iago or Hugo say outright their suspicions. Rather, they use carefully thought out words and phrases, rambling on about themes such as jealousy and deceit. When Iago sees Cassio leaving Desdemona’s chambers, he very cunningly makes the comment, “Ha, I like not that.” (3. 3. 37). When Othello, who is beside him,