Othello

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.

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:

• He is black;

• He is unsophisticated;

• He is old.

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.

Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:


"Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless
Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds."

• Why should Othello ask the question: "Why did I marry?"? (4)

[Need help?]

It would seem that Othello believed that it would be almost inevitable for Desdemona to have an affair with someone. He was insecure about three major things: his blackness, his not being a cultured Venetian and his age -- he admits that he is aging, as opposed to the youthful Desdemona. Indeed, Othello appears to admit that marriage itself has its major problems because faithfulness is impossible. Even with Iago thus far providing absolutely no evidence for Desdemona's unfaithfulness, Othello already appears to believe it to be true.

• Has Iago actually given Othello any concrete reason for him to doubt Desdemona? (4)

[Need help?]

No, not at all. He has thus far merely spoken of his liking not Cassio's sneaking away (whereas Cassio didn't sneak away) and then spoke in broad terms about Othello's not acting out of jealousy. Iago's reference to being "cuckolded" is merely a matter of example: he has not said that Othello has indeed been "cuckolded". He has let Othello himself jump to that conclusion.

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"Yet, if you please to hold him off awhile,
You shall by that perceive him and his means:
Note, if your lady strain his entertainment
With any strong or vehement importunity."

• Why does Iago give Othello this advice? (4)

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In a sense, the advice would appear to be good: watch Desdemona's movements and speech, and Othello will see that she is innocent. On the other hand, Iago has set up Cassio to ask Desdemona to plead with Othello on his behalf. Iago knows that Desdemona will often speak to Othello about Cassio. If Othello is on the watch, therefore, he will notice how often Desdemona speaks about Cassio. His suspicious mind will then naturally jump to a wrong conclusion.

• Why is this advice dangerous for both Othello and Desdemona? (4)

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Iago is feeding on Othello's very obvious jealousy. When Othello watches Desdemona, he will notice how often she talks about Cassio. He will then jump to the wrong conclusion that she is having an affair with Cassio, and his jealousy will destroy her. Once she is destroyed, Othello will then have no option but to turn his remorse on himself.

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"This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
I'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind,
To pray at fortune. Haply, for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years, -- yet that's not much --
She's gone. I am abused; and my relief
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites!"

• What is the purpose of a SOLILOQUY in a play? (2)

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A SOLILIOQUY in a Shakespearian play is to allow the audience to know what the character is thinking. A soliloquy is therefore the verbalisation of the character's thoughts.

• Place the purpose of this soliloquy within the context of the immediate plot. (4)

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This soliloquy provides us for the very first time with the knowledge that Othello is very definitely thinking of breaking up with Desdemona. At this early stage, of course, it will be a peaceful breakup: he will simply set her free or divorce her. Very rapidly, however, this will turn into thoughts of revenge and murder.

• Othello compares himself to Iago. Explain in what way this comparison is favourable to Iago but unfavourable to Othello. (10)

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Othello thinks of Iago as "of exceeding honesty" who "knows all qualities" and has "a learned spirit of human dealings". On the other hand, Othello has only negative thoughts about himself. First, he is black and is therefore a misfit in Venetian society. Second, he does not have "those soft parts of conversation" as someone like Cassio would have, i.e. Othello is out of his depth in the world of love and romance whereas Cassio is in his element there. Third, he is "declined Into the vale of years", i.e. he is getting old. Desdemona, on the other hand, is still young and he would therefore not be able to hold her in a marriage.

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"If I do prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
I'ld whistle her off and let her down the wind,
To pray at fortune."

• What image does Othello use in these words to explain the relationship between himself and Desdemona? (2)

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Othello uses the image of the falconer and his falcon.

• What are "jesses"? Why does Othello compare Desdemona's "jesses" to his "heartstrings"? (4)

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The "jesses" are the strings which the falconer uses to keep his falcon under control. The heartstrings are used to keep a marriage on its romantic path. But, just as the falcon cannot be controlled if the "jesses" are untied, so a marriage cannot be kept alive if the heartstrings are severed.

• What does Othello mean when he says he would "whistle her off and let her down the wind"? (2)

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Othello means that he will untie the strings and set Desdemona free, i.e. he will divorce her. To "whistle down the wind" means "to set a falcon free".

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