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:


Othello to Desdemona:
"Your napkin is too little."
(He puts the handkerchief from him; and it drops.)
"Let it alone. Come, I'll go in with you."

• This "napkin" is a very important one. Why? (4)

[Need help?]

A napkin was a very important part of a Renaissance lady's dress. She would have her napkin in her hand at all times when in company, and its ornate embroidery would be a distinguishing feature of her place in society. On the other hand, little secret gifts were also always a part of Renaissance etiquette when two people fell in love. He would give her a gift and she would carry it with her everywhere, although no-one else would know its meaning. It would appear that Othello had given this napkin to Desdemona as such a secret gift soon after they started their romantic relationship. It was therefore like an engagement ring. An engaged woman does not remove her engagement ring. In the same way, Desdemona would always carry this napkin and, should she lose it, it was much the same thing as breaking off the engagement.

• What, do you think, is Desdemona doing which causes Othello to push her napkin away from him? (2)

[Need help?]

Othello complains of a headache. Desdemona is probably attempting to sooth his pain by stroking his head with the napkin, the symbol of their love for one another.

• Why does Desdemona not pick up her napkin when it falls to the floor? (2)

[Need help?]

Desdemona is probably too distressed with Othello's pain and his violent reaction to her as a result. She therefore does not notice the napkin pushed out of her hand and dropping to the floor.

• There is a great irony here because Othello was the actual cause of Desdemona's dropping her napkin. Why is this an irony? (4)

[Need help?]

Othello, when he gave Desdemona the napkin, instructed her never to lose it. Indeed, its loss would equate to the breaking up of their relationship. It is Othello, however, who is responsible for her dropping it. It is his violent reaction which causes it to fall to the floor. It is therefore he who is breaking the relationship. Later, after Emilia has found the napkin and given it to Iago, Othello will blame Desdemona for losing it whereas its loss was entirely his fault.

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"Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owedst yesterday."

• Comment on the significance of the words "poppy", "mandragora" and "all the drowsy syrups of the world". (4)

[Need help?]

These things are all hallucinogens which make people sleep deeply and have bizarre dreams. (Poppies are the basis for opium.) Iago is probably referring to two things. First, Othello is undergoing a far greater hallucination than these hallucinogens could ever provide. Second, will Othello ever be able to sleep peacefully again after the crime that he is about to commit?

• It would appear that Iago has bewitched Othello. In what way could this be said to be so? (4)

[Need help?]

In many ways, one could say that Iago is a drug for Othello, causing him to hallucinate far more than if he had smoked opium or taken some other hallucinogen. One could also say that Iago has bewitched Othello. In Shakespeare's other play, Macbeth, the three witches bewitch Macbeth and take control of his life, leading him inexorably towards destruction. In this play, it is Iago who does that.

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"I lay with Cassio lately;
And, being troubled with a raging tooth,
I could not sleep.
There are a kind of men so loose of soul,
That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs:
One of this kind is Cassio:
In sleep I heard him say 'Sweet Desdemona,
Let us be wary, let us hide our loves;
And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
Cry 'O sweet creature!' and then kiss me hard,
As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots
That grew upon my lips: then laid his leg
Over my thigh, and sigh'd, and kiss'd; and then
Cried 'Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!' "

• Explain what is so ridiculous about this statement as proof of Desdemona's unfaithfulness? (4)

[Need help?]

This is not proof of anything except, if the story is true, that Cassio had a dream in which he was making love to Desdemona. In dreams we do many things, none of which happens in real life. It therefore says nothing about either Desdemona or Cassio, except that the latter had a very vivid erotic dream.

• In many ways, Iago's description of this nocturnal event with Cassio tell us more about Iago himself and about Othello, but very little about Desdemona or even Cassio. Explain why. (4)

[Need help?]

The answer above has already explained that the dream tells us nothing about Desdemona or Cassio. On the other hand, it does tell something about Iago: that he is a scurrilous wretch who could relate this dream as if it were true. And it also tells us something about Othello: he accepts the dream as proof that Cassio is having a sexual relationship with Desdemona, accepting that the dream is a reflection of reality. By the way, do not worry about Iago being in bed with Cassio. Men being in bed with each other was a common feature of life until about the mid-20th century. The Laurel and Hardy movies in which they often are in bed with one another does not point to a gay relationship: it was merely the custom of the time. Indeed, if one reads Moby Dick, one reads of how the hero of the story goes to a cheap hotel where he has to share a bed with another male guest.

• Has Iago given any proof thus far that Desdemona has been unfaithful to Othello? How then is one to understand Othello? (4)

[Need help?]

No, Iago never provides proof of Desdemona's unfaithfulness. One has to realise that Othello is of the belief that a faithful marriage is impossible. He expects Desdemona to have her head turned by another younger and more society orientated person such as Cassio. He therefore readily believes Desdemona's unfaithfulness without needing proof. In other words, it's all in Othello's own mind.

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