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The Rational Character In Shakespeare's Othello

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Othello starts out as rational and confident, but when Othello’s jealousy leads him to a downfall and to an end, he becomes a beast without a ounce of rationality. The progression of othello’s character conveys the idea that he once had it all, he was rational and a confident warrior.
The exposition of Othello introduces Othello as a confident and rational warrior and a loving husband to Desdemona. He was a trusting man who would believe in the absolute best in everyone. The trust he held lead to his downfall. Although Iago appears to be the primary reason for Othello's downfall, it is actually a combination of Othello putting his trust in the wrong person due to male pride, Othello's unwaveringly states “Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace Shall ne'er look back, ne'er …show more content…

After Othello telling Brabantio to keep an eye out for his daughter othello answered to Brabantio's statement by saying he puts “His life upon her faith!” (I.iii.287-290). Othello chose to de-escalate the situation and calm Brabantio by asking him to name the place where he wants Othello to answer to his “crimes”; this logical demonstration of self-control by Othello shows his rational character. Brabantio present Othello the Duke with claims of Othello bewitching his daughter, but Othello calmly explained to the Duke his and Desdemona’s love story. The Duke was very understanding and even said it is no surprise that Desdemona fell for Othello; he claimed that even his own daughter would fall for Othello. Having no other option, Brabantio reluctantly gave his blessing to Othello and Desdemona’s union, but, before he left, Brabantio warns Othello that “[Desdemona] has deceived her father, and may [him]”. Othello, not only ignored that

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Othello is a blend of significance and faintness, in his own words "an honorable murderer" (V.2, 295). He was a defense general, and although he was a foreigner from Africa, Othello achieved his status by his skillfulness in the war. He was a man of intelligence and courage who, under pressure, could make an inspiring speech. Othello could have been considered a self-assured outsider who was intellectual in military matters but was somewhat socially insecure. He lead an intense life, wavering between success and fear.

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Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, is a Venetian Senator, and strongly dislikes the Moor Othello, who his daughter has secretly married. When Brabantio hears of this from a nobleman named Rodrigo, who is in love with Desdemona, He confronts both her and Othello and threatens to cut off her inheritance. Desdemona refuses to budge, as she knows herself to love the Moor, and Brabantio keeps his word and disowns his only Child. “ I here do give thee that with all my heart which, but thou hast already, with all my heart I would keep from thee. For your sake, jewel, I am glad I have no other child, for thy escape would teach me tyranny, to hang clogs on them.

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Othello allowed himself to be deceived by Iago's tellings, which caused him to form a different view on his wife, outside of what she projected to him. Throughout the five acts and fifteen scenes, women were subjected to the desires and criticism of men. Othello let the other men around him determine the value of his wife, regardless of the image she profiled of herself. Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, was the first to place an opposing thought of Desdemona in Othello's head.

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709 Words | 3 Pages

Development of Othello The character of Othello transforms during the course of the play from a respected and revered general to a fallen and easily fooled man, due to the unfortunate sequence of events that transpire through both coincidence and Iago’s evil designs. He said that he wouldn’t be the jealous type unless he had seen it happen right in front of him, but with the help of Iago and a lot of coincidences it had happened in front of him. His judgment of the coincidence over ruled facts that could have changed the way it had ended drastically (Nwabueze, 167).

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759 Words | 4 Pages

The tragedy of Othello written by William Shakespeare presents the main character Othello as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man. However, because of his insecurities and good nature he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his alleged friends. Shakespeare is known for his exceptional ability to compose plays full of deceit, revenge, and jealousy. Jealousy is an underlying theme throughout the tragedy and has been represented by many of the main characters, such as Iago, Roderigo, and Othello. The topic of jealousy will ultimately lead to the demise of many characters throughout the tragedy.

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1121 Words | 5 Pages

Othello secretly marries Desdemona without telling anyone because he is afraid of the reactions he might get from the

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494 Words | 2 Pages

Thesis Statement: Othello’s generosity and integrity, let the false accusations that Iago told him get to him because he was too focused on one part of the story that was being told. Forecast: As Othello kept listening to Iago 's lies he became very heated and ended up killing

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He is manipulative and tells Othello to “observe her [Desdemona] well with Cassio” (Shakespeare, 3.3:197). Iago feeds Othello with countless lies and makes him miserable with something that is not factual. He is determined to get revenge and he does not realize Iago stands insincere. Furthermore, Iago is selfish when he tells Othello, “I am yours for ever” (3.3:479). He betrays Othello yet still let’s him depend on him for his own

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844 Words | 4 Pages

Othello’s character undergoes a significant change due to a series of events at the hands of Iago, the play’s antagonist to enhance the fact that even a valiant heroes can become corrupt. In the beginning of the play, Othello adores

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944 Words | 4 Pages

As the tragedy begins, Othello and Desdemona had run off and gotten married without telling Desdemona’s father. When Iago finds out he did not get the job he wanted, he tells Roderigo to “Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen”(I. I. 76-80). Brabantio, who did not know about his own daughter’s marriage, is finding out from two strangers. This allows Iago to take advantage of Barbantio’s surprise and to come in between the newly weds with his disapproval.

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1010 Words | 5 Pages

In Act 1 Scene 1, Iago tells Brabantio "... you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you'll have your nephews neigh to you…" it’s obvious that Iago’s use of animalistic language insinuates that Othello is a beast, highlighting that his marriage is unnatural. Iago’s description of Othello attempts to exploit his care for social status to make Othello doubt if he deserves Desdemona. In Act 1 Scene 3, Brabantio’s discovery of Desdemona’s marriage to Othello prompts him to question their union and to state that it is “against all rules of nature and must be driven to find out practices of cunning hell”. Brabantio uses hyperbole to emphasise the incorrectness of the marriage. This forces Othello to doubt his marriage and exposes his jealous and naive flaws.

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665 Words | 3 Pages

Othello’s life transforms the second he steps into Cyprus. Iago’s motives are devastating as he plan’s to take Othello’s position, regardless of the cost. Iago plants the seed of deceit and unfaithfulness when he hints of an affair involving Othello’s love, Desdemona and Cassio. An overwhelming feeling of jealously takes a hold in Othello’s life. Othello is no longer the well spoken, and respected army general that everyone knew him to be, but instead a short tempered man with little respect for

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1327 Words | 6 Pages

Othello’s This rage at Desdemona’s infidelity signals destmetion of his identity as a successful and loving man. It shows that he now completely loses control of himself, he no longer is that gentle man. He has become so poisoned by the manipulation of Iago, he no longer hears out for his “fair

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431 Words | 2 Pages

In the beginning of the play, Othello is a good upstanding man. I know this because the Duke regards to Othello as Valiant (I,iii,56). Then as Iago manipulates him, he starts to become more aggressive and impulsive. For example, in act 3, scene 4, lines 103-114, Othello constantly calls for the handkerchief, until he storms out of the scene enraged. This shows how Othello starts to lose his calm and composure.

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1545 Words | 7 Pages

The play Othello by William Shakespeare paints a picture of a noble character by the name of Othello. Othello’s nature was “noble, innocent, modest, and free” and yet he still possessed several tragic flaws that ultimately led to his downfall (Martin 47). Othello suffered from many flaws but the largest were jealousy, quick judgment, and blind trust in Iago. While Othello’s tragic flaws were clearly present these flaws would never have led to Othello’s downfall had it not have been for Othello’s greatest flaw, blind trust in Iago. Othello’s blind trust in Iago led to other flaws such as jealousy and quick judgment playing a major role in Othello’s life in the play Othello by William Shakespeare.

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