Othello Is A Play Of Jealousy And Racism
... he is talking with Roderigo. He says that, (A II S III L238-239) "If she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor." This shows deep-rooted racism. He means that to be with a black man is a curse and that she can't be blessed if she has loved one. Iago reveals his complete plan when he says, (A II S III L 281-283) "Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong That judgment cannot cure." This shows that he plans to cause the seed of jealousy that has been planted in the mind of Othello to swell and grow. This also shows that he doesn't only plan to cure his own jealousy through causing Othello pain, but to completely destroy him in the process. Othello starts the second scene, of the second act, showing great trust in Cassio by leaving him in charge while he retires to bed. This lets Iago convey his jealousy through his language when he is talking to Cassio. Iago talks about Desdemona in a crude fashion. He shows his obvious disgust at a relationship between a white woman and a black man. Cassio shows that he is without jealousy when he talks decently about Desdemona even while Iago's hate filled racist and jealous descriptions are going on. Iago manipulates Cassio to drink more than he wanted to. This helps Iago to fit Cassio in with his jealousy and racism fuelled plans. Roderigo is to provoke Cassio, the only reason he has agreed to do so is because of his jealousy and racist views of Othello. Roderigo still wants Desdemona for his own and 'uses' Iago to gain her. Montano witness' Cassio's drunkenness which discredits both objects of Iago's jealousy. It discredits Cassio himself as a lieutenant and Othello for choosing Cassio for such a position of authority. When Othello is alerted, he say something that is extremely ironic when compared to other people's view on his race. Othello says, A II S III L 153) "For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl." This is ironic as it's Othello's race that is usually shown to be 'barbarous' yet it is the white race that he is referring to. Othello then calls on 'honest' Iago to give a full account of what happened. Iago seems to be reluctant in giving details, when really this causes Othello to trust him. This makes sure that Iago remains 'honest' yet allows Cassio to be punished and removed from the position that Iago was jealous about in the first place. Iago is promoted and is thus cured of his jealousy of Cassio. This isn't enough for Iago and he decides to carry on and hurt Othello even more. Iago spots a chance to turn Othello against Desdemona when he gets Cassio to ask Desdemona to speak on his behalf. Iago can use this chance to make it seem like Desdemona is on Cassio's side. Even something as small as that can help Iago to get his revenge against Othello for promoting Cassio over himself and also his racist feelings can be satisfied. In the first scene of the third act, Iago promises to get Othello away from Desdemona for long enough that he can ask her to plead of his position on his behalf. Emilia then enters and says that she will take Cassio in to see Desdemona. Cassio is grateful for both of these actions but really it is just Iago's plan proceeding perfectly. His plan to gain his revenge against Othello. At the start of the third scene of this act, Desdemona agrees to help Cassio. This is exactly what Iago wanted her to do and will most likely worsen the situation. She says that she will nag Othello incessantly, this could prove dangerous, especially considering what Iago is going to contribute. While Cassio and Desdemona are talking, Iago brings Othello within sight but not within hearing distance. Iago sets the scene up as a 'guilty rendezvous' and feigns reluctance to tell Othello what he suspects they are doing. He does say that they look guilty and then says he shouldn't say any more. This is all done to draw Othello in, this shows that he has lost some confidence in his wife. The seed of jealousy that had been planted is beginning to grow. Iago says a lot that suggests their guilt, but also seems to defend them at the same time. For example he says, (A III S III L38-39) "I cannot think it That he would steal away so guilty like." Desdemona approaches Othello and speaks passionately on Cassio's behalf. Othello gives in but says he won't reinstate Cassio just yet. Desdemona continues to nag continually at Othello which fits in perfectly with Iago's plan. All this nagging does nothing more than feed the seed of jealousy that lays within Othello's mind. Iago talks to Othello again, he once again talks of Cassio and Desdemona's 'relationship'. He seems reluctant once again but is actually carefully planned. He says the word 'think' a lot. This casts some doubt upon Cassio while once more making Iago seem loyal. For example, (A III S III L126) "I think that he is honest" Iago builds up frustration in Othello, this makes him able to believe more or less anything Iago says. There is a great irony when Iago says to Othello, (A III S III L167-169) "O beware, my lord, of jealousy: It is the green eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on." This means that jealousy will destroy the person who feels jealous. This is an insight into Iago's character as we see that he is conniving and evil to the core. The advice is sound, but it also shows that Iago gets some sort of joy out of his deceit. Othello says that he won't believe that Desdemona is unfaithful without proof. This shows that Othello is willing to believe it and that the jealousy is growing. Iago continues to feed doubt into Othello's mind, for example he tells him that many woman betray their husbands. Iago also plays off the very seed of jealousy that was planted at the start of the play, (A III S III L208) "She did deceive her father, marrying you;" Iago feigns sorrow at the fact that he has to tell Othello that Desdemona might be unfaithful. Othello SAYS that he THINKS that Desdemona is faithful. But then he shows that he has doubts by telling Iago to get Emilia to watch and report on his wife. Iago also knocks Othello's confidence down a notch by reminding him that the mixed race marriage is very unusual. Iago has seen Othello's insecurity about his race and has preyed upon it. If Desdemona was unfaithful he would be hurt and humiliated. Othello ends on a more positive, yet ironic note. (A III S III L280-281) "If she be false, O then heaven mocks itself; I'll not believe it." Othello returns and talks to Iago once more, Othello says that he would rather not know about Desdemona. He says that if he hadn't been told, he would be happier. This shows the Othello believes Iago is right to some extent. Othello seems to be confused. He can't decide what he thinks. (A III S III L385) "I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;" This shows that the seed of jealousy is quickly becoming a great belief. Iago goes on and says that when Cassio slept next to Iago, he cried out in the night as if he dreamt that it was Desdemona that was lying next to him. Iago also goes on to say that Cassio said, (A III S III L 420-421) "'Sweet Desdemona, Let us be wary, let us hide our love'" Othello takes this as fact and Iago 'defends' Cassio by saying, (A III S III L428) "Nay. this was but his dream." This is all Iago's devising and is all the time making Othello more and more jealous by the second. Iago mentions the fact that he had 'seen' Cassio with the handkerchief that Othello had given to Desdemona. Iago is safe in the knowledge that Desdemona has lost it and that it is now in Iago's possession. This is the crowning moment in Iago's plan. This pushes Othello over the edge and the jealousy of Cassio is now complete. Othello tells Iago to murder Cassio. This is also something that Iago has dearly wanted to do throughout the play. Iago confirms that he will and Othello finishes the scene by cursing Desdemona over and over. Desdemona starts the forth scene showing faith in Othello when she says, (A III S IV L 22-24) "but my noble Moor Is true of mind and made of no such baseness As jealous creatures are," She thinks that Othello is incapable of feeling jealousy and least of all would feel jealousy towards her. Emilia seems much more realistic and suspects that Othello may be jealous of something. Othello enters the scene and starts demanding to see the handkerchief. Desdemona can't produce the handkerchief so she tries to change the subject by appealing for Cassio. This only makes the situation worse and Othello more and more jealous. Othello continually demands to see the handkerchief and every time Desdemona tries to change the subject towards the matter of Cassio. The situation gradually worsens to the point that Othello is forced to leave in a temper. This is a great change in character and was brought on by the deceit, jealousy and racism of Iago's evil plan. When Othello leaves, Cassio enters and pleads with Desdemona to ask for his job back. Desdemona says that Othello is in a difficult mood and she thinks its because of state matters, she still doesn't believe that Othello is capable of jealousy. Emilia is still unconvinced and says, (A III S IV L149-151) "Pray heaven that it be state matters, as you think, And no conception nor no jealous toy Concerning you." This shows that Emilia still believes that Othello is jealous for some reason despite her mistress' certainty that this isn't true. At the start of the forth act, Othello is more overcome with jealousy allowing Iago to control him more directly. Iago constantly reminds Othello of the handkerchief and the 'relationship' between Desdemona and Cassio. Iago talks in a soliloquy when Othello has a fit from the great pressure being caused by the jealousy which has been planted in his mind, (A IV S I L42-43) "Work on, My medicine, work!" This represents that Iago has effectively poisoned Othello's mind with the jealousy. When Iago and Othello talk, after he's recovered, Iago constantly uses the word monster, which keeps the thought of jealousy at the very front of the audiences mind. Iago meets Cassio to talk while Othello hides in the shadows. When Iago and Cassio are really talking about Bianca, Othello thinks they are referring to Desdemona. This builds up the jealousy to the point that he decides Cassio and Desdemona must die. Cassio is very disrespectful about Bianca and Othello becomes enraged because he still thinks he is referring to Desdemona. Bianca enters the scene with the handkerchief. Othello thinks that this means that Cassio, not only had an affair with Desdemona, but also cared little for her by giving the handkerchief to a prostitute. Othello is extremely angry at this point and curses several times while damning Desdemona's soul all the while. But while Othello is doing this, he knows that he still loves her and he is fighting an internal battle between the jealousy in his mind and the love for Desdemona in his heart. Iago now has complete control over Othello and has such confidence in his control that he 'advises' Othello (A IV S I L195) "Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated." This shows that Iago is truly evil and knows that he has Othello's mind under his control. At this point Iago has gained his victory, using jealousy as his weapon. Othello meets with Lodovico and Desdemona. Othello openly strikes Desdemona through his jealous rage. This shows a great change in Othello as he has lost any piece of the nobility he once owned. Othello ...