Innocence vs. Immorality in Othello

1382 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Aspect of plot and character of othello

Innocence vs. Immorality in Othello

In William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello we find a wide array of moral and immoral conduct, a full range of life’s goodness and badness. Let us in this paper examine the specific types of each, and how they affect the outcome.

In Shakespeare’s Four Giants Blanche Coles comments on the lack of veracity in Iago’s speech:

The story that Iago tells Roderigo about the promotion of Cassio over him is not true, although it has been accepted by many discriminating scholars. Careless reading alone can account for this misapprehension, careless reading which for the moment dulls their alertness to one of the most essential requirements of Shakespearean character analysis. That requirement is that the reader must never accept, or must always be ready to challenge, the word of any character unless the veracity of that character has been established, or unless the statement is accepted by more than one person of confirmed honesty. (76)

Iago’s lying is a type of immoral conduct which the ancient practices from beginning to end of the drama. But is lying his chief motivating evil? Roderigo’s opening lines to Iago in Act 1 Scene 1 take us to the very root of the problem:

Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly

That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse

As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. (1.1)

In other words, the wealthy playboy has been paying off the ancient for the soldier’s intercession with Desdemona on behalf of Roderigo. This payoff has been in progress before the play begins, and it continues even in Cyprus. Yes, it would seem that money is at the root of Iago’s moral downfall, and of all the t...

... middle of paper ...

...rce of evil, namely his supposedly false wife. But Emilia is the one who, in asserting the innocence of her murdered mistress, resuscitates morality in this play. Emilia refutes the untrue notions which Othello says motivated him to kill; she counters Iago’s lies (“She give it Cassio? No, alas, I found it, / And I did give’t my husband.”) and lays the guilt for Desdemona’s murder on his shoulders. And she sacrifices her very life for the truth; she dies a martyr, stabbed by evil Iago. Othello also is a martyr in a sense, paying in full for the crime that he committed.

WORKS CITED

Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.

Coles, Blanche. Shakespeare’s Four Giants. Rindge, New Hampshire: Richard Smith Publisher, 1957.

Show More
Related

  • James Monroe Research Paper

    1286 Words  | 3 Pages

    James Monroe will always be best known by his Doctrine, but what most people don’t know is that most of the Monroe Doctrine was written by the Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams. Also that Adams was the one who told him to do it. The Monroe Doctrine was originally a letter to congress in 1823. The document stated that it was the end of colonizing the Americas.

    Read More

  • Iago Psychopath Analysis

    1126 Words  | 3 Pages

    Iago tells Roderigo that he can make Desdemona fall in love with him for a ‘small fee.’ Iago used Roderigo to make money. Iago also told Roderigo that Cassio was talking to Desdemona. Roderigo did not approve and Iago persuaded him to fight Cassio. Cassio ended up losing his ‘good reputation” and his position as Lieutenant, in the fight with Roderigo. Iago became the Lieutenant, just as he had

    Read More

  • Monroe Doctrine

    1606 Words  | 4 Pages

    Monroe became the state legislator of Virginia in 1782, served three years in Congress starting in 1784, and became Minister to France from 1794 to 1796. He also governed Virginia from 1799 to 1802 and became the Secretary of State during the Madison Presidency. While serving in this position he helped in the negotiations of the War of 1812(Sauer, 2001, p.235-36). Monroe was chosen for candidacy by his predecessor James Madison. He served two terms as president and had virtually no opposition in either election. This was due to the fall of the Federalist Party. At the end of Monroe's first term he dealt with The Panic of 1819 and in the Missouri Compromise during 1820 (Text, 2005). The most important and most influential document of this time would come at the end of his last term, the Monroe Document.

    Read More

  • Why Is Iago's Death In Othello

    1898 Words  | 4 Pages

    What is perhaps the leading cause for the downfall of the characters in the play is Iago’s hypocritical nature that comes with an undeniable desire for fame, and receiving attention from others. To begin with, the audience can develop the idea that Iago greatly appreciates all the compliments that others give to him. Noteworthy evidence includes when Cassio “humbly [thanks Iago] for’t, [never knowing] a Florentine more kind and honest (3.1.27-28), as well as when Othello states that he knows [Iago is] full of love and honesty (3.3.118). The significance behind Othello, Iago, and what others thought about Iago’s qualities that he possesses all share one thing in common – the characters share their feelings for Iago whenever he ensures that he would help find solutions to their problems, such as Roderigo’s fondness for Desdemona, bringing back Cassio’s position as lieutenant, and helping out Othello by ending the alleged relationship between Desdemona and Cassio; this evidence demonstrates how Iago would do whatsoever only for people to praise him and to create a positive reputation of himself so it would be easier for him to hide his felonious schemes from others. Similarly, in order

    Read More

  • Changes in Music After World War One

    771 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 20’s, the era right after World War I, music and dancing became a focus. Many musicians were moving Northward from southern cities such as New Orleans, which was a main focus for what would become jazz music. As these musicians came up to more urban cities, they introduced the country to a world of music based on Caribbean music tones and southern blues. Syncopation was common in the songs that were known in this area, as were the common bluesy sounds and rhythms of those gospel songs and old hymns. This would all greatly influence the jazz creation. Jazz began as a music type that was focused more on orchestral sounds and bigger bands than smaller bands, such as seen with Whiteman, and this was evident in the types of dances and music the people listened to, with large piece orchestras. In this time period, there were big bands, but few solos or focus on jazz technique individually, as the bands showcased the overall sound of the band’s polyrhythmic and polyphonic sound more than its homophonic solo sounds. People such as Louis Armstrong began to be interested in focusing more on chords than melodies and on solos than group collective improvisation, and this started the move to a new wave of jazz: swing.

    Read More

  • The Monroe Doctrine

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    President James Monroe created a foreign policy titled the Monroe Doctrine. In it he warned Europeans not to interfere with the western-hemisphere. James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States. In 1865 the doctrine was invoked. During the Revolutionary War, Monroe served under General George Washington. He also served in many major battles, and was wounded at the battle of Trenton. The countries of Europe ruled over the western hemisphere in the late 1700s. The doctrine states that the U.S. will stay out

    Read More

  • Shakespeare's Othello - The Motivations of Iago in Othello

    799 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this first scene we see Othello, a general of Venice, has made Cassio his new lieutenant. Iago feels he truly deserves his promotion as he says "I know my price, I am worth more than a place." "(l.i.12) Iago over here is confused why Othello has made such a stupid decision. Iago is a man with a tremendous ego who knows, sometimes overestimates, his worth. Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman, understands Iago when Iago said that he is "affined to love the Moor. " (l.i.41-42)

    Read More

  • Othello's Honor

    972 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Tragedy of Othello, William Shakespeare tells the tale of the “noble Moor” whose honor and innocence bring about his downfall. Shakespeare writes of the power of jealousy, and the art of masterful deception and trickery. The story primarily takes place in Cyprus, during a war between the people of Venice and the invading Turks. In this play Shakespeare shows the feelings of Othello’s embittered right-hand man of, Iago, who feels he is passed over for a promotion and swears his revenge. He proceeds to manipulate his friends, enemies, and family into doing his bidding without any of them ever realizing his ultimate goal. He makes Othello believe that his new wife, the innocent Desdemona, is committing adultery with his newly promoted officer Michael Cassio. After this seed of jealousy has been planted, Othello’s mind takes its course in determining the true outcome, with a little more nudging from Iago. The course of action he proceeds to follow is one that not only ends his own life, but also the life of his wife and others. In Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Othello, Othello is a man who is still truly honorable, despite the course of action he takes to resolve his perceived problem.

    Read More

  • The James Wright Festival

    840 Words  | 2 Pages

    As far as what was important to me in the experience of the poem, I felt that the fact that I could actually relate was important.

    Read More

  • Othello, Desdemona And Iago

    1452 Words  | 3 Pages

    The world is a scandalous place filled with egocentric people to who will often make choices based on personal pleasure and beneficial needs. In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, when not chosen for the higher titled position, the villain seeks revenge and manipulates others in scandalous acts to take over. Through characterization of the three main characters, Othello, Desdemona, and Iago, we realize that, lacking trust leads to a self-disrupting nature filled with betrayal, death, and suicide.

    Read More

  • How Is Iago's Deception In Othello

    1531 Words  | 4 Pages

    The reason for a person’s deception gives light into the nature and desires of that person. In the play “Othello” Shakespeare’s character Iago deceives many of the other characters in the play for the sole purpose of revenge based on his speculation alone. Iago’s deception and the ultimate death of Roderigo, Othello, and Iago’s own wife Emilia, shows how harsh and inhumane Iago is. This harsh reaction to simple speculation shows Iago’s cruel insensitive nature as well as calls the reader to reflect on their own ill-considered reactions.

    Read More

  • Origins of Jazz

    1614 Words  | 4 Pages

    Specifically a place called Congo Square (now part of the Louis Armstrong Park) is esteemed as the birthplace of jazz. Here, it is recorded that enslaved Africans would gather to keep their culture alive through song and dance. Primarily using drums and other percussive instruments, they were able to create pulsating and throbbing paeans to their heritage (Evans 1-2). With the subsequent incorporation of accompaniment by other instruments and other musical styles, these characteristic rhythmic cells and vigorous drumbeats became intrinsic to the development of what would later become jazz (Evans 2-3).

    Read More

  • From Valiancy to Vengeance in Shakespeare´s Othello

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    Iago’s hatred towards Roderigo is clear for the reasons that he took advantage of him, convinced him to sell his land, and “put money in thy purse” (1.3.341). Iago’s hatred is so powerful he was willing to use Roderigo as his puppet, in order to get into the minds of others. It becomes evident Iago hates Roderigo when he admits he looks down upon him as a "sick fool” (2.3.45). Iago’s malig...

    Read More

  • The James Bond Phenomenon

    661 Words  | 2 Pages

    but they were all different, in some ways anyway. Hey if they suck so much why

    Read More

  • Characters in Othello by William Shakespeare

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    Characters in the play see Iago as trustworthy but in reality he is underhanded, two-faced, and scheming. (Smith, 2000)

    Read More

More about Innocence vs. Immorality in Othello

Open Document