|
READ THIS
Iago plants the seed of doubt in Othello's mind.
The strange thing, however, is that he does not have to say much before Othello is hopelessly convinced
of Desdemona's unfaithfulness. Indeed, with absolutely no evidence, Iago has Othello eating out of his
hand.
WHY IS OTHELLO SO EASILY CONVINCED?
Othello himself provides THREE reasons why Desdemona might have proved to be unfaithful to him, and
these reasons point to psychological weaknesses within his own character:
OTHELLO'S BLACKNESS
Othello was a Moor and therefore dark of skin although by no means black. Indeed, Shakespeare
obviously confused the appearances of Moors and Black Africans, indicating that his audience too was
ignorant of the difference.
Moors would have had a difficult time in the Elizabethan mind-set and were treated with suspicion. They
were always regarded as "the other".
They were, in fact, culturally different from the other Europeans because they came from a Moslem
background and therefore had Moslem traditions, even though they had converted to Christianity.
Indeed, Moors tended to keep to themselves, maintaining their own identity and customs. There was even
suspicion that their conversion from Islam many centuries earlier had been one of convenience (to prevent
being killed) but that they remained at heart Moslem.
Second, blackness in itself was suspicious. Western society right up until the 18th century was imbued
with the idea that white was pure while black was the colour of evil.
Brides wore white. The devil was black. The black sheep of the family was the outcast. Black people
were the biblical "sons of Ham" and therefore outcasts and slaves.
A Black person was therefore not equal to a White person in Western society.
UNSOPHISTICATION
The entire basis for the plot of this play was that Othello lacked sophistication. He was not naturally
imbued with the traditions and manners of Venice but relied on others to guide him into how to act.
Once he had been removed to Cyprus, therefore, he was out of his depth. He could handle warfare and
command soldiers. Once the war with the Turks was over, however, he was expected to act as Governor
to the island but he knew not how.
He had promoted Michael Cassio to the rank of lieutenant because he could rely on the man in battle.
On the other hand, he naturally trusted Iago in matters of etiquette. The moment he landed on Cyprus,
therefore, he turned to Iago for support, and accepted his advice without question.
OLD AGE
It is clear that Othello is advanced in years. He said so himself but, in any case, young people did not get
to command armies.
His wife, however, is young and he is afraid that her eye will be captured by the advances of any
handsome and refined young man.
In this, of course, he does not understand women but judges them as if they were men. This is
comprehensible given that Othello exists in a world of soldiers.
Men mostly look to women who are younger than themselves. It is not often that one will find men
marrying a woman who is significantly older than they.
Othello somehow believes this of Desdemona. He expects her head to be turned by men of youth,
especially by a man who enacts all the customs of Venetian society, a man such as Michael Cassio.
Cassio is not only young but he reveals all the Venetian manners and etiquette, such as his repeatedly
kissing his fingers.
In conclusion, Othello feels insecure in his marriage and will readily believe any suggestion that
Desdemona could be unfaithful. He therefore does not need much proof -- just enough to cement the
suspicions which he already harbours.
Have you looked at the questions
in the right column?
|
TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:
"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on."
- What is EQUIVOCATION? In what way is Iago equivocating here? (4)
[Need help?]
EQUIVOCATION is the use of ambiguous expressions, especially in order to mislead. Iago appears to
be warning against Othello's being jealous but, by using that expression, he is in fact feeding Othello's
jealousy or causing him to be jealous.
|
- At face value, Iago is telling the absolute truth with these words. In what way is this so? Why, then,
does Othello not take his advice? (4)
[Need help?]
Iago is perfectly correct. Jealousy is the thing that is to be avoided because it quickly becomes a monster
which feeds on whatever food comes its way.
It's difficult to understand why Othello does not take Iago's advice except that he appears already to
suspect that he will not be able to hold Desdemona's faithfulness because he sees in himself three
fundamental weaknesses:
- he is a Moor and is therefore "the other";
- he is insecure because he is not attune to the customs of Venetian society;
- he is aging and expects a young wife soon to start looking at a younger man.
|
"That cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger."
[Need help?]
The word "cuckold" comes from "cuckoo", a bird which lays its egg in another bird's nest.
The "cuckold" was a man whose wife was having an affair with another man, i.e. the other man was
laying his seed in the wife's nest.
|
- What does Iago mean when he says, "That cuckold lives in bliss | Who, certain of his fate, loves
not his wronger"? (4)
[Need help?]
Iago says that the "cuckold" is happy if he knows what is happening but accepts it, and he does
not take any action against the man who is having the affair with his wife.
The man who gets jealous, on the other hand, will quickly become consumed by his jealousy.
|
- Why has Iago specifically chosen to use the word "cuckold"? What is his message to Othello?
Why does Othello believe him? (4)
[Need help?]
Iago has specifically chosen the word "cuckold" so as to put that very idea into Othello's mind.
He knows that Othello is already jealously guarding his wife and so, by using the term "cuckold",
he ensures that Othello will believe his wife to be unfaithful.
|
"No, Iago;
I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And on the proof, there is no more but this, --
Away at once with love or jealousy!"
- Why does Othello make this claim? (4)
[Need help?]
Othello wants to appear to be in control of the situation. He won't act, he says, until he sees proof. He
will not be jealous but will merely seek to see the proof.
|
- To what extent does Othello act upon his own professed words? (4)
[Need help?]
Othello certainly does not act upon these words. Indeed, he is perfectly willing to believe that his wife is
being unfaithful without seeing any proof whatever. Iago has merely to make a suggestion and Othello
falls into a frenzy.
|
"Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure."
- In what way is Iago again equivocating? (4)
[Need help?]
Once again Iago gives advice which is perfectly correct: study Desdemona very carefully and without hint
of jealousy. Othello will then see the truth, namely that Desdemona is being perfectly faithful.
What his words will succeed in doing, however, is to ensure that Othello will indeed study his wife but his
jealousy will cause him to see unfaithfulness in her every movement.
|
- Iago speaks nothing but the absolute truth with these words. Why then does Othello understand the
exact opposite? (4)
[Need help?]
It is very clear that Othello is expecting the worst. Indeed, he himself has pointed to three fatal flaws in
his own character:
- he is a Moor and is therefore "the other";
- he is insecure because he is not attune to the customs of Venetian society;
- he is aging and expects a young wife soon to start looking at a younger man.
|
"She did deceive her father, marrying you;
And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks,
She loved them most."
- Why should these words have such a dramatic effect on Othello? (4)
[Need help?]
These words are very much the same warning that Brabantio gave to Othello earlier: "Look to her,
Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: | She has deceived her father, and may [deceive] thee."
It is very easy for Othello to believe that Brabantio's words have become prophetically true, especially if
he believes (as he appears to do) that Desdemona is likely to run off with a younger man who is better
versed in the customs of the society.
|
|
