Othello becomes a tragedy of incomprehension where hate, manipulation and revenge derive from the arrogant and blinded nature of the characters and their interactions with one another. Within the Aristotelian tragedy of ‘Othello’, the attribute of incomprehension creates the ultimate downfall of Othello through Rodrigo’s initial and prevalent manipulation by Iago to further his plans, Iago’s inability to comprehend Othello’s genuine trust for him which fuels his blinded revenge and Othello’s incomprehension of Desdemona’s loyalty towards him which leads to his jealous rage and in turn, his death. Alongside Othello’s gradual buildup of jealousy throughout the play by Iago’s masterful plans, the downfall of Othello ultimately demonstrates the
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With Iago being the sole manipulator and contributor to Othello’s downfall, Othello’s incomprehension towards Desdemona’s loyalty played an equal part to the fall of the hero. This is so in Act 2 Scene 1 where Desdemona professes her loyalty and love to Othello, “And so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord.” Even though she professes her faith and loyalty to the ‘moor’, Othello is continually opened to Iago’s poisons, leading him to question Desdemona’s loyalty overtime to the extent where he calls her a ‘strumpet’ in Act 4. Only after when he realises that Desdemona’s handkerchief was in Cassio’s possession did it allow the green-eyed monster to take possession of him, making him blind with hatred and revenge. This however AC Bradley states, “The Othello who enters the bed-chamber with the words, 'It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul ', is not the man of the Fourth Act. The deed he is bound to do is not murder, but a sacrifice. He is to save Desdemona from herself, not in hate but in honour; in honour, and also in love.” is correct to a degree where it demonstrates the Othello’s incomprehension. As he commits the act of murder in love, this statement shows to a huge extent of Othello’s incomprehension towards Desdemona’s loyalty, where he commits murder not in hate, but in love, showing his blinded attitude towards his ever loyal wife. Othello 's motives was ironically flawed where even in Desdemona’s death does she remain loyal, “Nobody; I myself. Farewell, Commend me to my kind lord: O, farewell!” showing her motive to protect Othello which such a realisation leads to his own death, “I kiss 'd thee ere I kill 'd thee: no way but this; Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.” showing his remorse and regret for
With Iago being the sole manipulator and contributor to Othello’s downfall, Othello’s incomprehension towards Desdemona’s loyalty played an equal part to the fall of the hero. This is so in Act 2 Scene 1 where Desdemona professes her loyalty and love to Othello, “And so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father, so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord.” Even though she professes her faith and loyalty to the ‘moor’, Othello is continually opened to Iago’s poisons, leading him to question Desdemona’s loyalty overtime to the extent where he calls her a ‘strumpet’ in Act 4. Only after when he realises that Desdemona’s handkerchief was in Cassio’s possession did it allow the green-eyed monster to take possession of him, making him blind with hatred and revenge. This however AC Bradley states, “The Othello who enters the bed-chamber with the words, 'It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul ', is not the man of the Fourth Act. The deed he is bound to do is not murder, but a sacrifice. He is to save Desdemona from herself, not in hate but in honour; in honour, and also in love.” is correct to a degree where it demonstrates the Othello’s incomprehension. As he commits the act of murder in love, this statement shows to a huge extent of Othello’s incomprehension towards Desdemona’s loyalty, where he commits murder not in hate, but in love, showing his blinded attitude towards his ever loyal wife. Othello 's motives was ironically flawed where even in Desdemona’s death does she remain loyal, “Nobody; I myself. Farewell, Commend me to my kind lord: O, farewell!” showing her motive to protect Othello which such a realisation leads to his own death, “I kiss 'd thee ere I kill 'd thee: no way but this; Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.” showing his remorse and regret for