Character Analysis for Othello

Character Analysis for Othello

 Othello is a combination of weakness and greatness in his own words. “an honorable murderer.” Although from Africa, he is the general in the Venetian defense forces, he won this post by performing excellently in a war. He is courageous, intelligent, and he has the skill of command. He makes an inspiring speech under pressure. When the enemy threatened the colony of Cyprus, the Senate and Duke turn to ‘valiant’ he led the defense. The discussion below shows how Othello’s life changed to a hostile life and how fate surrounds him.

Othello is a victim of circumstance when he believes Iago and ends in regrets. Iago plans on how to make Othello turn on Cassio and his wife, Desdemona. He starts by changing everyone’s’ perception of Cassio; he tries to convince Othello that Cassio should not be the lieutenant.” You see this fellow that is gone before? He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar And give direction, and do but see his vice. ’Tis to his virtue a just equinox…. I fear the trust Othello puts in him, one some odd time of his infirmity, Will shake this island”. He expresses himself to the community about his thought and feelings towards Othello’s belief in Cassio. He plans to get him drunk in public and leads him to trouble. He also proposes an idea that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair states of Othello “look and observe your wife; observe her well with Cassio.” Iago’s lies lead to the loss of the lives of many characters, and Othello ends up regretting believing in him.

Othello’s character at the beginning of the play is shown as a courageous hero of war and man of pride. Othello’s character changed from a military leader to a murderer. Other characters in the play also change their opinions towards him. In the first scene, his character changes depending on who he is speaking to. Iago complains of his proud nature and ‘bombast circumstance’ and is angered by Cassio’s appointment instead of himself. Later in the scene, Othello is shown as composed and an alert leader when he is interrogated on how he possessed Desdemona and ran away with her; he does not cause any conflict over Brabantio. He is also portrayed as a good governor and does not wish to allow war in the city when he thinks that Cassio would be the lieutenant, but he concludes that that would be bad politics. As the play continues, his character keeps changing, and the other characters opinion towards him keeps changing.

Othello, in this novel, is a tragic hero who is undone by his fatal flows. His loyal friends exploit him. His inability to separate what is in mind and what is in the heart and his trusting nature results in him (Othello) in tragedy.  His actions, surroundings, and fate destroy him. His tragedy is caused by the consequences of a wide range of judgments and attempts to justify himself. Iago lies Othello that Cassio has an affair with his wife Desdemona as he was appointed as the lieutenant instead of himself (Iago) and pushes him (Othello) to commit an unforgivable act which he says “a jealousy so strong That judgment cannot cure.” Othello killed Desdemona and ended up killing himself, and Iago ended up being the lieutenant.

Othello, in this play, is portrayed as a military man, courageous enough, and has good judgment in battle. Despite being black, he becomes the general of the defense forces due to his outstanding ability and intelligence. He has a trusting nature that Iago takes advantage of and manipulates him and ends up killing Desdemona and himself. He is portrayed as a jealous character when he was told that his wife was cheating; he thought that killing was for justice, which he did to his wife. Othello is a round character as in the beginning he was a nobleman, towards the end he changed and became a murderer when he was told that his wife was cheating, he killed her and later killed himself.

Othello is passionately in love with Desdemona that when Iago tells him that she has an affair with Cassio, he is heartbroken. Othello loved Desdemona until he had to use love magic portions to get her love.  At some point, he had to run away with her when Brabantio was in search of him as he wanted to have Desdemona as his wife. After killing his wife, Othello realizes that she was innocent and he too stabs himself to death.” I kiss’d ere I kill’d thee: no way but this; killing myself, to die upon a kiss.”

Iago acts as the external barrier of Othello’s love life. He lies to him that his wife is having an affair with Cassio; he is heartbroken and decides to kill his wife, Desdemona. He then realizes that his wife was innocent, and his guilt pushes him to stab himself to death. His trust is an internal barrier as he does not know what to believe and what not to. He believes in Iago, and he destroys his love life.

Iago is the villain of the story, he misguides Roderigo, and he sells all his property, he causes Cassio to get drunk and loses his job. Finally, he lies Othello that his wife has an affair with Cassio, and he kills her. Iago’s character is not good. His actions are directed by jealousy.