How Othello’s Fatal Flaw Led to His Demise
In Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello displays many different weaknesses throughout the play. Based on a series of dreadful and appalling actions, it is proven that Othello’s fatal flaw is jealousy. In the beginning of the play, we see Othello and Desdemona as two, lovestruck adults. Desdemona was an innocent, faithful woman who left her father for Othello, an African general that Brabantio respected until Desdemona revealed that she loved Othello. Desdemona left her father behind to begin a new life with Othello, and see what the future holds for them. However, Iago’s lies about Desdemona’s affair run deep into Othello’s blood, and end up destroying his relationship with Desdemona. Ultimately, this ends …show more content…
Iago justifies his burning rage with a compromise to destroy Othello and Cassio. Othello was a trusting man, and Iago knew it. Iago referred to Othello as a Moor who “is of a free and open nature, / That thinks men honest that but seem to be so” (Shakespeare 1.3.381-382). His plan was to “abuse Othello’s ear / That [Cassio] is too familiar with his wife” (Shakespeare 1.3.377-378). Iago would continuously poison Othello’s mind and cause him to become suspicious of Desdemona and Cassio. After a series of fortunate events, Iago manages to have Othello’s full attention, and has convinced Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. One major turning point is when Othello debates killing his lieutenant, and asks: “How shall I murder him, Iago?” (Shakespeare 4.1.162). This is the moment that Iago’s lies and deceiving actions have truly hit home, and Othello’s jealousy has built up far enough to give Cassio “nine years a-killing” (Shakespeare 4.1.169). Not only does he ask for advice on how to kill his lieutenant, but he also debates on different ways to kill his wife, which obviously is not the best example of a healthy relationship. Although Othello still loved her, the illusion Iago had created had wrapped around Othello’s vision, and made him blind to Desdemona’s love and purity. This connects with Iago’s …show more content…
He still loved Desdemona, “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men” (Shakespeare 5.2.7). He did not want to end her life, but he could not allow her to continue leading men astray. Desdemona and Othello have a brief altercation about the claims Othello accuses Desdemona of. Although innocent, Othello would not allow her to plead her case. When she tries to explain that she “never loved Cassio” (Shakespeare 5.2.58), Iago’s lies are eating at his emotions, and he does not believe Desdemona's pleading. As Othello mentioned before, “If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, / Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile” (Shakespeare 4.1.235-236). It is possible that Othello believed Desdemona’s cries for him to stop and listen was a way to delay her inevitable demise. After Othello kills Desdemona, and Iago’s devilish plot is exposed, he wants witnesses to “speak of one that loved not wisely, but too well; / of one not easily jealous but, being wrought” (Shakespeare 5.2.340-341). It is shown that a reason for Othello’s jealousy is his overwhelming love for Desdemona, which we can see throughout the entire
In Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello displays many different weaknesses throughout the play. Based on a series of dreadful and appalling actions, it is proven that Othello’s fatal flaw is jealousy. In the beginning of the play, we see Othello and Desdemona as two, lovestruck adults. Desdemona was an innocent, faithful woman who left her father for Othello, an African general that Brabantio respected until Desdemona revealed that she loved Othello. Desdemona left her father behind to begin a new life with Othello, and see what the future holds for them. However, Iago’s lies about Desdemona’s affair run deep into Othello’s blood, and end up destroying his relationship with Desdemona. Ultimately, this ends …show more content…
Iago justifies his burning rage with a compromise to destroy Othello and Cassio. Othello was a trusting man, and Iago knew it. Iago referred to Othello as a Moor who “is of a free and open nature, / That thinks men honest that but seem to be so” (Shakespeare 1.3.381-382). His plan was to “abuse Othello’s ear / That [Cassio] is too familiar with his wife” (Shakespeare 1.3.377-378). Iago would continuously poison Othello’s mind and cause him to become suspicious of Desdemona and Cassio. After a series of fortunate events, Iago manages to have Othello’s full attention, and has convinced Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. One major turning point is when Othello debates killing his lieutenant, and asks: “How shall I murder him, Iago?” (Shakespeare 4.1.162). This is the moment that Iago’s lies and deceiving actions have truly hit home, and Othello’s jealousy has built up far enough to give Cassio “nine years a-killing” (Shakespeare 4.1.169). Not only does he ask for advice on how to kill his lieutenant, but he also debates on different ways to kill his wife, which obviously is not the best example of a healthy relationship. Although Othello still loved her, the illusion Iago had created had wrapped around Othello’s vision, and made him blind to Desdemona’s love and purity. This connects with Iago’s …show more content…
He still loved Desdemona, “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men” (Shakespeare 5.2.7). He did not want to end her life, but he could not allow her to continue leading men astray. Desdemona and Othello have a brief altercation about the claims Othello accuses Desdemona of. Although innocent, Othello would not allow her to plead her case. When she tries to explain that she “never loved Cassio” (Shakespeare 5.2.58), Iago’s lies are eating at his emotions, and he does not believe Desdemona's pleading. As Othello mentioned before, “If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears, / Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile” (Shakespeare 4.1.235-236). It is possible that Othello believed Desdemona’s cries for him to stop and listen was a way to delay her inevitable demise. After Othello kills Desdemona, and Iago’s devilish plot is exposed, he wants witnesses to “speak of one that loved not wisely, but too well; / of one not easily jealous but, being wrought” (Shakespeare 5.2.340-341). It is shown that a reason for Othello’s jealousy is his overwhelming love for Desdemona, which we can see throughout the entire