You Can't Always Get What You Want

6 Pages 1422 Words

You Can’t Always Get What You Want
One of the major components in the unraveling of a relationship is the lack of communication. Whether this lapse of interaction is intentional or merely the product of a misconception, no amity stands a chance for survival without a healthy, trusting dialogue, unaffected by any outside interference. Without a complete faith between two patrons, especially in the case of an intimate association, factions such as suspicion, resentment, distrust, and ultimately jealousy begin to get a foothold. Throughout Shakespeare’s Othello, we see this degradation between Othello and Desdemona as a result of Iago’s cunning manipulations and machinations. The entire tragedy could have been avoided had Othello chosen to listen to and believe his wife, rather than the maliciously evil Iago whose actions seem to being missing a purpose. Nevertheless, Othello’s quick judgments and mistrusts cause the downfall of those around him. As always, Shakespeare is able to show us a variety of charact!
er traits in humanity that don’t always make logical sense. We are taken on an adventure that shows us the contrast in one’s life that can be caused by a jealous mind, taking a respected and noble being and transforming him into a ranting, irrational creature set on revenge.
The factor of jealousy is apparent in three of this tragedy’s players: Roderigo, Othello, and Iago. Roderigo, a rich Venetian with desperate aspirations of obtaining Desdemona as his own, feels the only way for this to happen is by purchasing the assistance of the vile Iago. After repeatedly listening to Iago on how he can alter things for his favor, he ends up broke and away from home in Cyprus, with one final option; kill Cassio, his main competitor for Desdemona after she leaves Othello. His utterly pathetic existence becomes painfully apparent with his failure to complete his final task, and as a result, Iago slays him in yet anoth...