What Do You Think Are the Reasons for Othello S Downfall?

Shakespeare’s Othello

What do you think are the reasons for Othello’s downfall?

Shakespeare’s Othello is a tragedy, and all tragedies inevitably lead to the downfall of the hero; in this case, Othello. There are three main concepts to be identified when considering the reasons for the downfall of Othello. These are: his character weaknesses, his circumstances, which is created and twisted by Iago, and the choices that he makes and the factors that had the most influence on these choices. All of these things, especially the choices that he makes,importantlyaffectedhis downfall.

Othello’s character weaknesses are one of the main factors that caused his breakdown. Othello’s life is to an extent, driven by the fear of other people’s opinions and thoughts about him. Because of this, Othello can be seen as a very insecure man. It is known to the responder that Othello is insecure about his age, his colour and his social status. This is evident in the quote, “Haply for I am black, and have not those soft parts of conservation that chambers have, or for I am declined into the vale of years – yet that’s not much -”Act 3, Scene 3, lines 265-269.It can be seen from this quote that Othello doubts himself and his worth. As a result, it also suggests that he already sees himself and has that mindset of an outcast; someone who does not fit in or belong in the upper classmen ship of the Venetian society.

However, because Othello is seen as a noble and valiant man in the army and holds a significantly high position, it can be said that one of his other character weaknesses is pride, in that he is proud of his high position and that other people look up to him because of his great nobility and ability as a general. This establishes the idea that he holds many expectations from other people and strives to uphold this image as a noble and courageous man. During the time that Iago influenced him and his belief that his wife, Desdemona had cheated on him, he was thoroughly concerned about his image and reputation rather than focusing on the real issue and finding whether the infidelity of his wife was true or not. “…Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content! Farewell the plumed troops, and the big wars that makes ambition virtue – O Farewell!...Othello’s occupation gone.” Act 3, Scene , lines 349-358. This quote is significant in reinforcing the idea that Othello is truly proud of his high position in the army and prideful of his good and noble image, and that his life is motivated by upholding this noble image of himself in order for people to accept him. Thus, when his image and his honourare compromised, Othello’s world begins to fall apart.

Therefore, it is evident that his fear of the thoughts and opinions of other people, his insecurities about himself, and his pride are some of his character weaknesses that contributed to his downfall.

Another main reason for Othello’s downfall was his circumstances and how Iago played a significant role in creating these circumstances for him.

Iago plays an important partin being partiallya factor that led to Othello’s deterioration.Iago is seen as an honest and virtuous man and a loyal friend to Othello. However, Iago is not the man everyone thinks he is. “I am not what I am”. Act 1, Scene 1, line 66.Without Iago’s manipulative and cunning words, actions and evil schemes, Othello’s jealousy would not have been provoked and the violent and irrational side of Othello would not have emerged.

The circumstances that Iago had produced for Othello are important in considering the reasons for Othello’s downfall. Iago’s scheme to get Cassio drunk and sacked was a circumstance that had inevitably helped Othello to his downfall as it opened up many more opportunities for Iago to plot against him. The dismissal of Cassio had allowed Iago to develop the idea of Desdemona and Cassio having an affair, and therefore making the circumstances for Othello considerably ominous. “And by how much she strives to do him good, she shall undo her credit with the Moor. So I will turn her virtue into pitch…that shall enmesh them all.” Act 2, Scene 3, lines 325-329. This quote significantly reveals to the responder his evil plot, but also the kind of circumstances that is headed towards Othello.

The significance of the handkerchief that Othello had given to his wife is shown through Othello’s desperate and distressed need to see the handkerchief from Desdemona. “I pray, talk me of Cassio. –The handkerchief!” Act 3, Scene 4, lines 89-90. The handkerchief, to Othello, is proof that his wife was being unfaithful. But as already known to the audience, it was Iago’s lies and plotting that made Othello believe that this was solid proof. His manipulation, the use of other people’s weaknesses and the power and control he unfortunately has, is seen as we see the deterioration of Othello and the chaos surrounding him. Iago’s role in causing Othello’s downfall is significant;however,overall, Othello’s choices were the main reasons for Othello’s downfall.

The last but most important factor that contributed to Othello’s downfall, was the choices that he made and the factors influencing these choices.

Othello’s jealousy, shallowness, gullibility,lack of reasoning, and inability to act rationally was seen through the choices he made.

Firstly, MichaelCassio, a well known and respected gentleman, although inexperienced in battle,was chosen by Othello to be his lieutenant. Othello made this decision so that his link and position in the Venetian society would escalate. Significantly, this suggests his inability to analyse a person’s character, but also that his decision making is greatly affected by his prideful but insecure nature, and his desire to be fully accepted in the Venetian society.

Another decision that Othello makes is the decision to believe what Iago is telling him about the supposed affair of his wife and MichaelCassio. “Thou hast set me on the rack…” Act 3, Scene 3, line 336.This quote is important in telling us how Othello makes the decision to believe Iago, andisrevealed to the responder how Othello chooses to respond to the lies of Iago. In this case, he responds to it with an unsettled mind, and the responder starts to see the beginnings of a mental deterioration. In addition, the responder also understands that his insecurities and pride are worked up upon by Iago and in doing so, also rousing his jealousy, irrationality and violent temper.

His jealousy, irrationality, narrow mindedness and skills of involuntary action are all factors that influenced his decision to murder Desdemona. “It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul:…” Act 5, Scene 2, line 1. This quote portrays his close minded belief that she had indeed committed adultery, and keeps the belief, eventhough he still has not received real evidence of Desdemona having an affair.

His decision to murder his wife was on his own accord and not on anyone else’s. Iago may have roused his jealousy and rage, but in the end, the decision to believe Iago and the decision to kill his wife was his own responsibility and was again influenced by some of his major character weaknesses. His pride and obsession for his image and reputation seemed evidently more important to him than his own wife, and this considerably establishes the idea of his insecurities and the fears of the thoughts and opinions of the people around him, and this importantly led to the decision of killing his wife.

Lastly, his decision to commit suicide portrays to the responder that Othello was incapable of taking responsibility for his own actions. This shows cowardice and also, his insecurities and pride show when he talks about how he wants to be remembered. “Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak of one that loved not wisely, but too well…” Act 5, Scene 2, lines 338-340. This quote confirms his pride and the pride of his reputation and also the fear of other people speaking inadequately of him. His pride inevitably influenced his decision to kill himself and this is evident in the quote above. His final decision of committing suicide establishes that Othello’s character was unstable and didn’t have a sense of his real identity and this greatly influenced his decisions.

In conclusion, it is evident that Othello’s weaknesses, Iago’s role and the circumstances he creates and most importantly, the choices he makes and the factors influencing these choices are all factors that had undoubtedly initiated Othello’s deterioration and downfall.