Othello’s Debilitating Flaws
In most literature, a character’s flaws come into play and often pertain to one with a major role. This is the case in Shakespeare’s Othello. The main character, Othello, has a tendency to make mistakes that ultimately lead to his demise. His mistakes derive from not just one, but three major flaws. Although Othello has many issues, only a few of them lead to his regrets, and ultimately, his death. A reader can identify his flaws based on his conversations and relationships with other characters. Othello’s notable flaws that are accentuated by his consistent errors are his lack of ability to express concerns to his wife, his distrust of honest people, and most prominently, his gullible tendencies and their …show more content…
When Desdemona misplaces Othello’s prized handkerchief, he reacts harshly because he is unconfident about Desdemona’s infidelity. Even though soon after their marriage, he thought she was trustworthy: “My life upon her faith!” (1.3.289), he still believes she is guilty now because of his absence of trust in her. Othello is angry and indecisive about whether or not Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio based on where his handkerchief is: “Fetch me the handkerchief. My mind misgives” (3.4.85) which further qualifies how unsure of Desdemona he is. Othello’s opinions of Desdemona cause problems in their relationships and also facilitates Othello to want to kill her. He does not listen to what she has to say, and before he kills her, Desdemona asserts “Since guiltiness I know not, but yet I feel I fear” then Othello responds “Think on thy sins” (5.2.38-39), proving his disbelief of her honesty. When having a conversation with Emilia about Desdemona’s infidelity, Emilia becomes shocked that Othello does not trust her, asking “That she was false to wedlock?” to which Othello replies “Ay with Cassio” (5.2.142-143). Soon after, Emilia finds Desdemona’s dead body and realizes that Othello is the murderer. Emilia then becomes enraged at Othello, who realizes that he was wrong about his opinion of Desdemona’s disloyalty, and regrets killing Desdemona so much …show more content…
Othello obviously did not trust Desdemona, but this is because Iago “pours pestilence” in his ear (2.3.323). Iago manipulates Othello into fearing that she is unfaithful, feeding off Othello’s gullibility “for whiles this honest fool / Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes / And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, / I'll pour this pestilence into his ear” (2.3.320-324). When he hears from Iago that Desdemona is cheating on him, Othello is initially nearly certain that she is not: “Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw / The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt” (3.3.190-191). Othello’s opinion quickly progresses from disbelief in Iago to total submergence in Iago’s lies solely based on accusations and where his handkerchief is found. Based on his quick and complete change of opinions which only consider trivial occurrences, Othello is notably gullible. At one moment, when …. Othello mentions “ “ proving that Othello’s fears, which derive from false information, overtake him. He then kills Desdemona, which is evidence of the extent to which he believes in Iago. Iago eventually admits to being guilty and tells everyone questioning him that “Demand me nothing; what you (the soldiers) know, you know” (5.2.300). Othello then realizes that he misplaced his trust by believing in Iago, and tragically reacts to Desdemona's death. Once he
In most literature, a character’s flaws come into play and often pertain to one with a major role. This is the case in Shakespeare’s Othello. The main character, Othello, has a tendency to make mistakes that ultimately lead to his demise. His mistakes derive from not just one, but three major flaws. Although Othello has many issues, only a few of them lead to his regrets, and ultimately, his death. A reader can identify his flaws based on his conversations and relationships with other characters. Othello’s notable flaws that are accentuated by his consistent errors are his lack of ability to express concerns to his wife, his distrust of honest people, and most prominently, his gullible tendencies and their …show more content…
When Desdemona misplaces Othello’s prized handkerchief, he reacts harshly because he is unconfident about Desdemona’s infidelity. Even though soon after their marriage, he thought she was trustworthy: “My life upon her faith!” (1.3.289), he still believes she is guilty now because of his absence of trust in her. Othello is angry and indecisive about whether or not Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio based on where his handkerchief is: “Fetch me the handkerchief. My mind misgives” (3.4.85) which further qualifies how unsure of Desdemona he is. Othello’s opinions of Desdemona cause problems in their relationships and also facilitates Othello to want to kill her. He does not listen to what she has to say, and before he kills her, Desdemona asserts “Since guiltiness I know not, but yet I feel I fear” then Othello responds “Think on thy sins” (5.2.38-39), proving his disbelief of her honesty. When having a conversation with Emilia about Desdemona’s infidelity, Emilia becomes shocked that Othello does not trust her, asking “That she was false to wedlock?” to which Othello replies “Ay with Cassio” (5.2.142-143). Soon after, Emilia finds Desdemona’s dead body and realizes that Othello is the murderer. Emilia then becomes enraged at Othello, who realizes that he was wrong about his opinion of Desdemona’s disloyalty, and regrets killing Desdemona so much …show more content…
Othello obviously did not trust Desdemona, but this is because Iago “pours pestilence” in his ear (2.3.323). Iago manipulates Othello into fearing that she is unfaithful, feeding off Othello’s gullibility “for whiles this honest fool / Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes / And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, / I'll pour this pestilence into his ear” (2.3.320-324). When he hears from Iago that Desdemona is cheating on him, Othello is initially nearly certain that she is not: “Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw / The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt” (3.3.190-191). Othello’s opinion quickly progresses from disbelief in Iago to total submergence in Iago’s lies solely based on accusations and where his handkerchief is found. Based on his quick and complete change of opinions which only consider trivial occurrences, Othello is notably gullible. At one moment, when …. Othello mentions “ “ proving that Othello’s fears, which derive from false information, overtake him. He then kills Desdemona, which is evidence of the extent to which he believes in Iago. Iago eventually admits to being guilty and tells everyone questioning him that “Demand me nothing; what you (the soldiers) know, you know” (5.2.300). Othello then realizes that he misplaced his trust by believing in Iago, and tragically reacts to Desdemona's death. Once he