Deception In Catcher In The Rye And Othello

Deception “O Lord, deliver me from the man of excellent intention and impure heart: for the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked,” stated T.S. Eliot a renowned American poet and playwright. This quote is the basis for several inferences, the main one being that people are deceptive and often have malicious intentions. This inference is quite realistic too as illustrated through two texts: The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger and Othello by William Shakespeare. A common theme that prevails in both books is that several characters are manipulative and affect the protagonist in negative ways. These deceptive people are often closely affiliated with the main character – as a friend, advisor and a parental figure. The …show more content…
Iago questions Othello about Cassio’s nature (III. ii.). Othello grows vary of Desdemona’s character. Iago plants seeds of hatred in Othello’s heart for Desdemona. This leads to his impulsive actions. Othello refers to Iago as ‘honest’ countless times throughout the play and trusts Iago. Othello thinks Iago has good intentions and trusts him unaware of his malicious nature. However Iago does nothing but betray Othello just to seek vengeance for making him the Ancient, even though Othello did it good-naturedly. This is an obstruction in Othello and Desdemona’s relationship and puts it at stake. Othello’s suspicion continues to grow and ultimately leads to the demise of their relationship. Holden, from Catcher in the Rye, decides to see his teacher Mr. Spencer before he leaves Pencey Preparatory, as he’s facing expulsion (4; ch. 2). Spencer offers Holden no reassurance that things will be better for Holden, instead he blames Holden for not trying hard enough, putting him in uncomfortable position. Holden went to say goodbye to Spencer, which clearly shows that Holden thought highly of him. Holden didn’t like Pencey as he thought everything about it reeked of pretentiousness. Regardless of his aversion to the school and his desire to leave, Holden took the time to visit Spencer. Holden felt more dejected after his meeting with Spencer. Othello was betrayed by Iago, his close ‘honest’ advisor and Holden by a teacher he thought highly of. The deception by these characters (Iago and Spencer) placed other people (Othello and Holden) in horrible circumstances, eventually leading to their downfall (Othello lost his wife and Holden’s mental health deteriorated until he wasn’t emotionally