Othello Essay

8 Pages 2121 Words

Othello Essay
Characters play an important role in assisting playwrights in developing themes. In Shakespeare’s Othello the characters play an essential role in being able to communicate the themes of the play and how they are relevant to their society. Othello tells the story of a black man marrying a white woman, whom he murders because he becomes convinced that she is unfaithful. In the text, the characters and their responses to one another inform the audience of the importance of themes, such as class, power and relationships. Through the use of character in Othello, Shakespeare is enabled to communicate the differences in class, power and relationships in relation to society.

The character of Iago is used to portray the power in his relationship with Othello. Othello is a powerful military figure, he commands like a “full soldier”. He is a respected general in the army, being called a “worthy governor” for the commission of Cyprus. As a soldier, Othello is impenetrable to Iago, so for Iago to destroy Othello, he must find a vulnerability for Othello. By finding Othello’s vulnerability, his relationship with Desdemona, Iago shows he has a great understanding of people. Othello says that Iago “knows all qualities with a learned spirit of human dealings.” By being able to recognize Othello’s weakness, Iago shows himself to be perceptive and intelligent. Iago then uses this information to manipulate Othello, whispering ideas of Desdemona’s infidelity, subtly suggesting and implying that Desdemona was in a relationship with Cassio, “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio.” Iago then further cements the idea in Othello’s mind, using his cunning to manipulate circumstantial events, making Othello jealous and desiring to kill Desdemona. By being able to manipulate Othello, Iago shows the difference of power in their relationship, not physically, but mentally, in favour of Iago as he is able to co...