How does Othellos character change over the course of the play Essay Example

How does Othellos character change over the course of the play Essay Example How does Othellos character change over the course of the play Paper How does Othellos character change over the course of the play Paper Othello changes the most drastically, from being an affectionate and respectful General, modifying into a violent, ruthless man. A. C Bradley quite rightly quotes If such a passion as jealousy seizes him, it will swell into a well-night incontrollable flood. This dormant emotion would inevitably be released in a fury of furious rage once Iago penetrated his delicate mind. From the start of the play the audience encounters a well-honest decent person, even being respectful to Brabantio Good seignior after he accuses him of stealing his white ewe. Throughout Othellos life, he has earned respect, climbing his way up the ranks, despite his skin tone, and expects respect back. Displaying his intense love for Desdemona, I won his daughter almost treating Love as a game, but, loving her deeply that when he kills her out of sheer anger, suicide is the only escape from a life without his love. As Iago works his magic scurvy and provoking terms against your honour, the seeds of jealousy has been growing, all it takes for Othello to tip over the edge is ideas, trickling over the course of the play, growing his jealously, and when the seeds have blossomed into a green monstrous mess of abstract thoughts, Othello will arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! . Othello was written around 1603, racism was ripe, racism was accustomed and Othello knew this. Marrying a white woman and becoming a General was seen as bizarre for a Black man to accomplish. People would naturally become hostile, thick lips, and Othello would naturally be suspicious of his surroundings. Growing up in a white dominated society, maybe Othello felt some compassion to break away from the ideology that all Black people are inferior. So locked away in his mind he always knew he would be the outsider, his mind is like a dam, jealousy and resentment are blocked by the blockage of Love, once Iago has chipped away at this blockage Not to affect many proposed matches Of her own clime, complexion, and degree the whole structure begins to crumble. There are many racist remarks throughout the play, Moor being the most prominent. At the start Othello seems reluctant to address it, soft phrase of peace, Othello has done seven years pith. His time in battle has matured him into a well-spoken individual, My very noble and approved good masters, this shows the level of respect he has for others. In the beginning the audience become emotionally attached to Othello, hes confronted with racial prejudice by jealous individuals, and yet he confronts it gracefully. Roderigo is perturbed that Brabantio rejects any approval of him marrying his Daughter, and with Othello being with Desdemona It is silliness to live, when to live is torment, it further enhances his aggravation. Iagos jealousy and anger stems from Othellos judgments when choosing a lieutenant and the fact that he thinks Othello has cuckolded him. Both these disputes exist because of Othellos actions, but are confronted with racial hatred. Othello is constantly bombarded with racial slurs, which takes its toll towards the end. Othello realises, maybe, he isnt worthy of Desdemonas love and in effect causes him to become confused and dazed. Desdemona had become a victim of Othellos downfall, jealousy. Othello already had some suspicions concerning Desdemona due to their different racial background. He is torn between his love and Honest Iago. He yearns for affection and when this affection is troubled he begins to question his relationship with Desdemona, Act 3 Scene 3 is when his troubled mind begins to emerge If she be false, O then heaven mocks itself; Ill not believe it. He desperately needs Desdemonas love but the very thought of deception grows like a disease in his mind. When we first encounter Othello he freely expresses his emotions, I love the gentle Desdemona, showing no regard for the racial prejudice that exists. He has reached the highest peak in his life, marrying Desdemona. Hes not a troubled man, he doesnt expect trouble to plague him. In effect hes a simple man, only doing what is required of him. The trust and respect he has accumulated keeps him afloat My services which I have done the signiory Shall out-tongue his complaints, the virtues in Othello have become a pleasing factor resulting in equal respect being shown back to him, apart from the isolated references to Othellos colour. The term Ignorance is bliss comes to mind when thinking of Othello, up until Act 3 Scene 3 Othello hasnt been bombarded with Iagos scheming ways, and so, has no reason to be questioning his love, but the thoughts were never implanted by Iago, but were rather dormant, always in Othellos mind but never triggered, until Iago started to tap at this unforgotten idea, breaking the shackles that once tamed this beast. Once its been released, it starts to consume his mind, bit by bit. When Cassio left my wife. What didst not like? From this point Othello becomes a victim of Iagos mind games and due to Othello being too trustworthy to Iago always referring Iago to Honest Iago the bond he shares with him is almost unbreakable. This cocktail of emotions in Othello becomes too unbearable, the trust of Iago, with the Love of Desdemona becomes a juggling act, and with the added emotion of Jealousy it all becomes too much for Othello. Iagos plan is now in full effect and Othellos transformation begins both physically and mentally, as he develops a headache from the overwhelming knowledge being outlined to him I have a pain upon my forehead here. The information hes just been told is so damaging that it even has a physical effect on him, desperately trying to fight back his emotions from Desdemona. At this point Iago just serves as a catalyst, speeding up the process of decay off Othellos mind. Feeding lies to Othello, the change becomes ever more unbearable for him One of this kind is Cassio, In sleep I heard him say, Sweet Desdemona' In such a short amount of time, from professing his Love for Desdemona, even going so far as to say When I love thee not, Chaos is come again which Othello is professing that if he stops loving Desdemona then Chaos would rid the world, which is a bold statement to make, where the audience thinks nothing could stop this man from loving Desdemona. But within the same scene, the very same person who claimed that Chaos would come if his love stopped quotes Ill tear her all to pieces! This shows the power and influence Iago has over Othello; he can change him drastically without much effort or evidence and the change is permanent Your mind perhaps may change Never, Iago, the manipulation was all too easy for Iago, and now he has accomplished what he intended which was to become lieutenant Now art thou my lieutenant. Now Iago retreats back into the shadows only to watch how Othello shatters his jelly-like, unstable mind. Over the course of the remaining play Othello sees no recovery from this, hes fixated on Desdemonas cheating ways and the pure innocent Desdemona has no idea why Othello is acting differently, only adding fuel to the fire when Othello asks for the handkerchief, but Desdemona trying to change the topic to Cassios reinstatement, it only infuriates Othello further as Cassio is the reason of his suffering and with Desdemona talking about him it gives him more reason to hate, Zounds and storms off. Further acts of physical occurances begin to plague Othello once more, with him falling into a trance, it evidently shows the sheer amount of jealousy that has overtaken his life. He loathes Desdemona but needs her love. This battle of the mind becomes unhealthy for him, Ist possible? Confess? Handerkerchief? O devil! Even the way Othello speaks has changed, usually speaking in verse, now his speech mimics his anger. Othello has almost taken on the role off Iago, scheming behind Desdemonas back, plotting against her, the same Jealousy that consumed Iago has taken over Othello, in a more aggressive fashion. Intense love delves into intense hate. How shall I murder him, Iago? Othello, you could say, is under the spell of Iago, he listens to him in every instance, as the audience reading this, it becomes shocking at how far Othello has changed, at the start of the play Othello, judging by his kindness to others, it would seem as he would never kill outside of battle. Now hes becoming just as devious as Iago. Which leads to the inevitable death of the last women he will love. Othellos character is a victim of foul-play. From being a courteous person to a rampaging ram. Othello is the perfect example of what deceit and lies can do to one without a mentally strong mind, his intense love for Desdemona is so deep that he cant fathom a life without a perfect relationship with her, one little idea and it destroys him, he thinks because of his race he may not be worthy of her, so tries desperately to cling onto to the one thing he treasures most. But insecurities in himself become his ultimate downfall. Of one not easily jealous but, being wrought.