Othello Drama Analysis

Othello Drama Analysis

Shakespeare's Othello is a play that has some unique characters and one such character that he names his play after. In the play, it shows how Othello disintegrates from being such a confident leader into a homicidal murderer. There are many dramatic changes throughout the play that attest to this theory. Othello is seen as an intellectual leader whose skills are in much need and valuable to the state. He seemed to always have been trusted by the people of Venice being called, "valiant Othello" and "brave Othello" and usually described as "...more fair than black" (I, iii, 286). Othello has a lot of self-respect within him self and really good self-esteem essentially because the society loves him. Even though he does have those traits it could also be seen as flaws if he over uses his pride in him self as being better than others.

In the beginning of the play, Shakespeare portrays Othello as a dignified character. When Brabantio proceeds to seek vengeance on Othello for "stealing" his daughter, Othello expresses that his actions will "out-tongue his complaints." What Othello is saying in this scene is to let Brabantio do his worst because the services that he has done for this government will count for more than Brabantios complaints will. Although there are all these accusations being put on Othello, he still remains calm and confident throughout this scene. He does this by humbly telling the story of his relationship with Desdemona and does not flaunt the situation over Brabantio but speaks modestly.

In the next act, Othello maintains his calm demeanor. He speaks poetically of seeing his "fair warrior" Desdemona (2.1.210). Later in the scene, Cassio fails at his military duties. Even though this deeply hurts Othello, he keeps his calm. He lovingly dismisses Cassio from service saying, " Cassio, I love thee;/But never more be officer of mine" (2.3.254). Othello continues in this matter until the Temptation scene in 3.3.

He begins this scene in the same manner but Iago's words transform him into a monster. At first, he simply doubts his wife's fidelity. He asks Iago to observe Desdemona's actions (3.3.274). Then Othello goes to his wife. Although he seems ill, his speech does not express his change. But the next time Othello meets Iago, Othello has a different character. He begins using the animal imagery Iago used throughout the play (3.3.407). In addition, he calls her a "lewd minx" (3.3.533). As the play progresses, he begins using this animal imagery more often.

The way that Othello could be seen as a victim of a tragic occurrence is when Iago is pouring information into Othello's mind about Desdemona. Iago was a guy who was well known by the public as someone who portrayed honesty and anyone could trust him, even Othello. This is made known when Cassio states, "I never knew a Florentine more kind and host than Iago" (III, I, 38). When Iago mentions to Othello that his wife Desdemona was being unfaithful to him he instantly starts to think whether or not he should murder her. In view of the fact that Iago is seen as this "honest" man to society Othello believes everything