OTHELLO notes For Class XI

OTHELLO

1. Who was Cassio? How was the relationship between Cassio and Othello-Desdemona?

Ans: Michael Cassio was the most trustworthy friend of Othello. He was a young soldier, a Florentine, gay, amorous and of pleasing personality. He was handsome and eloquent. Othello promoted Cassio to the rank of lieutenant.

Cassio was very close common friend of Othello and Desdemona. Othello employed Cassio in his love affair with Desdemona. He would often dispute Cassio to go courting for him. Next to Othello, Cassio was the person whom gentle Desdemona loved and trusted. Their marriage did not make any difference in their behaviour to Michael Cassio. He frequented Othello’s house. Although Othello was man of serious temper, Cassio and Desdemona would talk and laugh together. Thus, Cassio was a confidant of both Othello and Desdemona.

2. Who was Iago? Why did he conspire to take revenge against Othello? What was his plot of revenge against Cassio, Othello, and Desdoma?

Ans: Iago was an old officer in Othello’s forces. He was an extremely careful planner and horribly vindictive thinker. His villainy makes him an interesting character.

While promoting Cassio to the rank of the lieutenant, Othello did not consider Iago’s claim for the post. As a result, Iago hated Othello for favouring Cassio. So he conspired to take revenge against Othello.

In Cyprus, Iago got Cassio drunk and involved in fight. Othello intervened and dismissed Cassio from the post of the lieutenant. This was Iago’s first successful artifice. Cassio, his rival, was then out of his place. Iago’s next plan was to take revenge on Othello and Desdemona. On the one hand he advised Cassio to appeal to Desdemona so that she requests Othello for giving back his job. On the other hand he convinced Othello that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio. Iago justified his claim by saying that he had seen Cassio to use Desdemona’s handkerchief, Othello’s first gift for her. Actually, Emilia, Iago’s wife, stole that handkerchief for her husband. Eventually this handkerchief became the cause of a lot of trouble. Othello killed Desdemona out of suspicion. Thus, Iago’s plot of revenge affected all.

3. Explain the significance of the handkerchief to Othello.

Ans: To Othello, the handkerchief is a very significant thing. It was given to him by his dying mother. She instructed him to give it to his wife. This handkerchief is a magical one since it can ensure a happy marriage. The loss of the handkerchief is a loss of love and affection that bound Othello and Desdemona. This belief becomes an obsession with Othello. In Othello’s life the handkerchief, his first gift to Desdemona, is an emblem of their mutual love. When Iago claims that he has found Cassio to use this handkerchief, the loss of handkerchief becomes symbolic of a loss of trust. For this, Othello accuses Desdemona of infidelity, vows to kill her, and finally stifles her to death. Thus, the same handkerchief which had brought happiness in Othello’s life brings disaster in his life.

4. Why did Othello kill himself?

Ans: Othello, the Moor, was a brave soldier, but his mind was rather simple as he could not suspect a person like Iago who knew well how to poison one’s mind gradually by way of presenting himself as a confidant. Being instigated by Iago constantly, he could not think for a while that the relationship between Desdemona and Cassio was rather simple. Othello, being black and Moor, had his inherent weakness which made him oblivious of his valiant qualities for which Desdemona chose him as her husband amidst many suitors of senatorial rank. Thus, unable to cope with his emotional problem, Othello decided to kill Desdemona. He did so; but he came to know immediately the truth and that Iago’s villainy was the cause of murdering Desdemona. He realized that Desdemona was completely innocent. As Othello loved Desdemona very much, he felt a great remorse; thus, he had no other way than killing himself to justify his on evil act of murdering his beloved.