The intro to Othello mentions how Iago uses the characteristics of Desdemona and Othello to make Othello believe his wife is being unfaithful to him. One of the characteristics Iago uses in his evil plot is Desdemona’s willingness to deceive her father to marry Othello. Iago makes Othello suspicious that if Desdemona was willing to deceive her father, she will also be willing to deceive her husband. Surprisingly, this idea is not originally planted in Othello’s mind by Iago. It is actually first mentioned by Brabanzio, who in Act 1, Scene 3, says to Othello, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: \ She has deceived her father, and may thee.” At the time, Othello just passes this off as nonsense, swearing, “My life upon her faith.” Of course, this proves to be prophetic as Othello, once he no longer believes in his wife’s faithfulness, ends not just her life, but also his own. And this is why Iago brings up the idea Brabanzio had already planted in Othello’s mind. Iago knows that Othello is so trusting of his friend and so willing to take decisive action when he believes something that Othello will kill or at least hate Desdemona if he believes her unfaithful. So, Iago re-plants the idea of being cuckolded into Othello’s mind, mentioning the word “cuckold” in Act 3, Scene 3, and then later in that scene, telling Othello, “She did deceive her father, marrying you.” And this immediately lodges itself in Othello’s mind as he replies, “And so she did.” It appears to me that Othello’s faithful character is what makes this line of attack by Iago so effective. Othello views faithfulness as important in others because this characteristic is important to Othello himself. Therefore, if his beloved Desdemona has lost her faithfulness, Othello not only cannot love her but must hate her. And that change from love to hate is what causes the tragic ending of the play.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Zac on Othello Intro
Introduction to Othello (Zac Kieser)
The intro to Othello mentions how Iago uses the characteristics of Desdemona and Othello to make Othello believe his wife is being unfaithful to him. One of the characteristics Iago uses in his evil plot is Desdemona’s willingness to deceive her father to marry Othello. Iago makes Othello suspicious that if Desdemona was willing to deceive her father, she will also be willing to deceive her husband. Surprisingly, this idea is not originally planted in Othello’s mind by Iago. It is actually first mentioned by Brabanzio, who in Act 1, Scene 3, says to Othello, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: \ She has deceived her father, and may thee.” At the time, Othello just passes this off as nonsense, swearing, “My life upon her faith.” Of course, this proves to be prophetic as Othello, once he no longer believes in his wife’s faithfulness, ends not just her life, but also his own. And this is why Iago brings up the idea Brabanzio had already planted in Othello’s mind. Iago knows that Othello is so trusting of his friend and so willing to take decisive action when he believes something that Othello will kill or at least hate Desdemona if he believes her unfaithful. So, Iago re-plants the idea of being cuckolded into Othello’s mind, mentioning the word “cuckold” in Act 3, Scene 3, and then later in that scene, telling Othello, “She did deceive her father, marrying you.” And this immediately lodges itself in Othello’s mind as he replies, “And so she did.” It appears to me that Othello’s faithful character is what makes this line of attack by Iago so effective. Othello views faithfulness as important in others because this characteristic is important to Othello himself. Therefore, if his beloved Desdemona has lost her faithfulness, Othello not only cannot love her but must hate her. And that change from love to hate is what causes the tragic ending of the play.
The intro to Othello mentions how Iago uses the characteristics of Desdemona and Othello to make Othello believe his wife is being unfaithful to him. One of the characteristics Iago uses in his evil plot is Desdemona’s willingness to deceive her father to marry Othello. Iago makes Othello suspicious that if Desdemona was willing to deceive her father, she will also be willing to deceive her husband. Surprisingly, this idea is not originally planted in Othello’s mind by Iago. It is actually first mentioned by Brabanzio, who in Act 1, Scene 3, says to Othello, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: \ She has deceived her father, and may thee.” At the time, Othello just passes this off as nonsense, swearing, “My life upon her faith.” Of course, this proves to be prophetic as Othello, once he no longer believes in his wife’s faithfulness, ends not just her life, but also his own. And this is why Iago brings up the idea Brabanzio had already planted in Othello’s mind. Iago knows that Othello is so trusting of his friend and so willing to take decisive action when he believes something that Othello will kill or at least hate Desdemona if he believes her unfaithful. So, Iago re-plants the idea of being cuckolded into Othello’s mind, mentioning the word “cuckold” in Act 3, Scene 3, and then later in that scene, telling Othello, “She did deceive her father, marrying you.” And this immediately lodges itself in Othello’s mind as he replies, “And so she did.” It appears to me that Othello’s faithful character is what makes this line of attack by Iago so effective. Othello views faithfulness as important in others because this characteristic is important to Othello himself. Therefore, if his beloved Desdemona has lost her faithfulness, Othello not only cannot love her but must hate her. And that change from love to hate is what causes the tragic ending of the play.
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