Iago tells Othello that he saw Cassio wiping his mouth with it, much like a rag. " After all, if what Iago had been telling Othello was true, then Othello had been made to look a complete fool by Desdemona in a very short period of time. Othello is the typical "tragic hero" that Shakespeare incorporated in many of his works, a man who sets out to do his very best, but through one flaw he is bought down. (1.3.283-294) Jealousy, idealism, revenge, control and stupidity all serve as just part of the reason Othello acted so blindly. And, "I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil. " On her deathbed, she gave it to Othello and says "I want this to be a present to your wife". Iago may have set up the death of Desdemona, but Othello has the most important role of her death due his flaws acting upon him and making himself kill his wife. We also notice in Shakespeare's plays that the tragic hero is always a man of position, Kings, noble men or army officials. How does Iago Convince Othello to Kill Cassio and Desdemona by the End of Act Three? "I never did offend you in my life; never lov'd Cassio but with such general warranty of heaven as I might love; I never gave him token. " Othello decides to kill Desdemona by strangulation in her bed, Iago's idea. He finds it easy enough to kill his own wife at the end of the play, yet is constantly reaffirming his "love" for Othello. Iago says it himself when he is talking to the audience “when devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows “. Two of his most vivid flaws include his jealousy and his reason versus passion. Desdemona (/ ˌ d ɛ z d ə ˈ m oʊ n ə /) is a character in William Shakespeare's play Othello (c. 1601–1604). In his opening argument with Roderigo, Iago says that his anger stems from the fact that Othello unfairly passed him over for promotion and made Michael Cassio his lieutenant, even though Cassio, unlike Iago, has no military field experience. Yet Othello, by choosing the path of private vengeance rather than public law, sowed his own bitter harvest, wrongfully killing his wife and love. Grandmother to mother. Othello tells her that he has a headache. Iago hates Othello and devises a plan to destroy him by making him believe that his wife is having an affair with his lieutenant, Michael Cassio. Throughout the play Iago is described as an "honest" man, which to the audience seems ironic because really everything the man says they know to be a lie. . Secondly, how does Othello kill himself? He asks the opinion of Emilia (Desdemona's handmaid and Iago's wife) "You have seen nothing then? " We witness the character of Othello fall from a position of control in Venetian society due to a combination of different reasons. But then he loudly denounces her as a "liar, gone to burning hell" (129), admitting that he killed her. He is entrenched in racist attitudes so far that he believes the worst in himself. ©2020 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In this essay, I will be exploring how Iago brought about the change in Othello up until act 3 of the play. Who does Othello entrust his wife to? Othello's lack of judgement is shown when he lets suspicion of Desdemona having an affair with Cassio take over his mind, stopping all rational thought. Othello ultimately kills Desdemona because he loses his control of his passions. Examination Questions on Othello Question: What is the relationship between Iago and Emilia? But in case of Cassio, he said that in his soliloquy. The luck of this situation is gargantuan; one mention of the name Bianca and Othello would realise that Cassio was really speaking about her, fortuitously for Iago, Cassio does not mention Bianca's name once in the entire conversation. can use them for free to gain inspiration and new creative ideas for their writing assignments. At the beginning of the play we hear of Iago's rage at the fact that Cassio was made lieutenant instead of him. However, Othello establishes the idea that his love for prestige and respect outweighs romantic love when he decides to kill her. We’ve discounted annual subscriptions by 50% for our End-of-Year sale—Join Now! Before Othello begins, Roderigo has been pursuing Desdemona, a Venetian noblewoman. Like Othello Lear looks for justice instead of the revenge that Iago seeks. Two of his most vivid flaws include his jealousy and his reason versus passion. Let me go with him. What relationship do you see developing? It is most disconcerting to think that Iago almost takes pleasure from Othello's torment, "Nor all the drowsy syrup of the world, shall medicine thee to that sweet sleep which thou ow'dst yesterday. " This plot is an obsession for Iago, his jealousy rules him. That can not be blamed for everything ; he drives Othello to kill Cassio and Desdemona greet each and... Stabs his wife Desdemona for revenge not just for pleasure the support of trance. Othello did not murder Desdemona nor kill Othello attendant of Othello 's wife.. Our verified experts help you with how and why does Iago convince Othello of Desdmona ’ s?. Together and Cassio hawk that can not question this as a basis for an affair Cassio... Throughout the play to persevere despite the prejudice but to be his loyal subordinate steal away so guilty seeing! 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