Othello Downfall Analysis

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English poet Alexander Pope said; “Our passions are like convulsion fits, which, though they make us stronger for the time, leave us the weaker ever after.” In the play Othello the Moor of Venice, Othello is faced with many different situations where he must decide if he will choose responsible behavior or to follow his passion. Throughout the play, the decline of Othello is very apparent; he began as a man who put work in front of all personal problems and made sure to put others in front of his own well-being. While following his passion gave him a feeling of temporary power, in the end, that is what led to his downfall. Love for Desdemona and soon after, envy and anger for Desdemona took control of Othello’s life in Cyprus. These feelings lead to Iago being able to take advantage of Othello which eventually lead to Othello’s demise. …show more content…

Othello began as one of the most well-liked and well-respected generals in Venice, so much so that the Duke of Cyprus requested Othello to be in charge of the battle against the Turks, “Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you against the general enemy Ottoman” (Othello 762). Along with being a respected general, Othello was also known to be very calm under pressure; he didn’t hide from Barbantio and was very calm in defending himself when Barbantio accused him of drugging his daughter or using magic to make her fall in love with him. Another quality Othello possessed was that he was a very loving husband to Desdemona. He treated her as an equal, even though women were usually treated as though they were inferior to men. Othello also let Desdemona voice her opinions and was always trying to put her needs in front of his

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