Sinned In Othello

What makes William Shakespeare such a famous playwright, poet, and writer? Is it his thirty-seven plays, hundred and fifty-four sonnets, or five long narrative poems? There is always a debate of what makes Shakespeare notable, but it can be argued that he is best well known for his tragic plays. One of his tragedies, Othello, was written around 1603 and includes themes of romance, betrayal, revenge, and jealousy. The play’s plot is centered on the jealousy and revenge of Othello’s loyal ensign, Iago. The plot involves Iago manipulating Othello into thinking that his wife, Desdemona, has cheated on him. Iago’s false accusations prompt Othello to question his wife’s loyalty and cause him to take irrational measures to find out the truth. The play reveals a major theme that Othello has not sinned but has been sinned against. Othello has been sinned against through the use of derogatory nicknames from other characters, Iago’s personal vengeance, and Iago’s false allegations.
First, Othello is sinned against indirectly through derogatory nicknames that other characters call …show more content…
Iago says, “Despise me if I do not. Three great ones of the city (In personal suit to make me his lieutenant) Off-capped to him, and by the faith of a man I know my price, I am worth no worse a place” (1.1.8-12). At the beginning, Iago has already presented his explicit feelings he has towards Othello. Iago is explaining to Roderigo that he is very distraught that Othello did not appoint him to be lieutenant. Iago’s foul feelings even prompt him to say, “I follow him to serve my turn upon him. We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed” (1.1.44-45). The first scene has not ended and the reader already recognizes that Iago will manipulate and take advantage of Othello throughout the play. Othello has done nothing wrong; it is all Iago’s own anger and jealousy that prompts his