Notes on Shakespeare's Othello :For Higher Classes

Othello

1. How can you establish that Othello is solely responsible for his downfall?

Ans. For Aristotle a tragedy is to be serious having dignity and a protagonist of high esteem that experiences a reversal of fortune. This reversal of fortune must be caused by the tragic hero's hamartia, a mistake. We see a great character, Othello, rising up in life and eventually bringing about his own downfall expressed in his own words of dismay. According to Aristotle, "The change to bad fortune which he undergoes is not due to any moral defect or flaw, but a mistake of some kind" like Othello's killing of his wife is based upon error of judgment and plotting by Iago. This causes pity and fear within the spectators. Tragedy results in a catharsis, emotional cleansing or healing for the audience; this is achieved through their experience of pity and fear in response to the suffering of the character(s) in the drama.

A tragedy is the story of an individual whose downfall is brought about by specific defects in his character, tragic flaws. The play, Othello, is a twisted tale of deceit and revenge. Iago creates an alternate world filled with lies that unfortunately consumes the trusting and naive Othello. Othello's downfall comes about due to a combination of the influence of Iago and the fatal character flaws of the otherwise virtuous Othello.

Othello's downfall is a result of many factors; he must bear some responsibility for his actions and for the murder of Desdemona.  However, no clear conclusion can be made to whether or not Othello is completely at fault. Othello is an essentially good character, whose virtues are used against him by the evil and manipulative character of Iago. Ultimately Othello's downfall and destruction is a result of his gullibility and his all - consuming jealousy. Othello is a tragic hero in the true sense of the word and he dies due to a flaw in his character trying to drive out the evil around him.

In this regard two schools of thought exist about whether Othello is to blame for his downfall. A.C Bradley states that Othello is Shakespeare's most romantic character, whose nature remains noble throughout the play. Whereas F. R. Leavis disagrees, and argues that Othello gives in too easy to the manipulations of Iago

Othello is easily corrupted by Iago's lies. Iago's sinister motives are never made clear; however his intention to "ensnare a greater fly as Othello" is made known early in the play. Iago realizes that Othello is extremely trusting and that he can manipulate him for his own gains. This idea is expressed by the quote: "The Moor is of a free and open nature /That thinks men honest that but seem to be so" -- giving the audience an insight into his deceptive and evil character.

Othello is by his nature trusting. It is this Harmatia, which Iago exploits and manipulates Othello through. As Othello in the play is increasingly poisoned by Iago's lies we can see a transformation in his character. At the start of the play he is presented in equilibrium, completely content and in love with Desdemona. " If it were to die now, /'Twere now to be most happy…" And even after Iago has introduced the idea of infidelity, he says… "If She be false, O then Heaven mocks itself, /I'll not believe it."

Othello's initial disbelief turns to suspicion as Iago blatantly lying says he heard Cassio sleep talking about Desdemona. The gullible and suspicious Othello demands "ocular proof'' of his cuckold, Iago contrives the handkerchief scene whence Othello is fully satisfied of Desdemona's infidelity. It is in this scene where Othello's weaknesses are fully revealed; he is converted from his seemingly placid nature to being filled with jealousy and rage. We can also experience a great transformation in the imagery which Othello uses to describe Desdemona. Originally comparing Desdemona with heaven, purity and angels, Othello begins to speak much more like Iago using negative imagery, dark, hell and animals, "lewd minx".

The change in Othello's speech shows the strong influence Iago has had on Othello, how he has gotten inside his head, how Iago is in complete control of him. Othello is both volatile and stubborn, once Iago has convinced him of Desdemona's infidelity he is very decisive and firmly makes his mind up that he will murder her. "She must die or she'll betray more men…''. 

Othello's pride in himself drives his jealousy and ultimately in his downfall.  Originally a slave from humble African beginnings, Othello has achieved greatness. He is a black man, the General of the Venetian Army, a man respected and held in a high esteem by many. Although a strong and capable leader, Othello's fear of being cuckolded is perhaps a result of his personal insecurity, he is a black man in a white man's world. Othello even admits that he doesn't know Venetian customs or woman. Othello is an outsider and he fears that this is the reason that Desdemona is having an affair for she is no longer interested in him. It is through this fear of inadequacy that his jealousy is fueled. Iago realizes this personal insecurity and exploits it. "I'll pour this pestilence into his ear, that she repeals him for her body's lust" Iago poisons Othello with his lies. Sadly Othello believes that he is actually protecting and saving Desdemona by killing her.  It is his overwhelming love for her, which makes him feel as though he has no other choice to protect his all-important honour.

Othello is a tragic hero; however I believe that some but not all blame must be laid on him. Othello, Desdemona, Emilia and Rodrigo all view Iago to be honest but become the unfortunate victims of his pure evil. Othello easily corrupted and gullible is ensnared in Iago's web of pure evil. As contradictory as Othello's character may seem, heroic and weak, loving and cruel, it is through this contradiction that we can gain insight and perspective into the workings of Othello's embittered mind to understand his love for Desdemona which results in her death.

The plot of the play is well structured with underlying irony and suspense that prevails till the last lines of the play. Desdemona wanted a loving and caring husband which she thought she eventually found. She remained true to him till her last breathe. But it is the irony of fate that he was misled by the jealousy prevailing in his surrounding and contented only at slaying his own wife. Othello chooses an immoral act of slaying his wife. And ironically, slaying his wife proves the worst error on his part. Though he later repents but it is of no use now. There is suspense whether the villain is successful in bringing about the downfall of the love couple. The use of language suits the theme of the play. The reader remains interested in the awful story till the very tragic fall of the hero.

(Collected and assembled from internet)