Othello is initially portrayed as a consummate military leader whose thoughts are governed by logic and reason. However, Othello has a tragic flaw- he has a tendency to take everything he sees and everything he is told at face value without questioning the circumstances. Iago's realization of this imperfection and his incessant deception and lies cause Othello's wisdom and judgment to be overthrown by anger and jealousy. It is solely Iago's exploitation of Othello's otherwise absent defect that leads to the tragic outcome of the play and that causes Othello to be driven by jealousy to the point that it consumes his entire existence.

Othello is a general in the army of Venice. He is a Moor, a dark-skinned man of African descent, and has risen through the ranks of the Venetian army through hard work and success in battle. Othello is a cultural and racial outsider in the predominantly White populatio

Little by little, Othello becomes more lured into Iago's scheme. In Act 3, we see a suspicious quality of Othello emerge which was previously not apparent. "Thou hast set me on the rack; I swear tis better to be much abus'd, then but to know 't a little" (Act 3, Scene III, Line 335). He now thinks there a possibility that Desdemona is cheating on

He cannot handle the anguish of knowing he has murdered in jealousy rather than for justice. He becomes his own judge, jury, and executioner and carries out his sentence, taking a knife and stabbing himself. He then says:

Othello became controlled by jealousy. He believed his wife was being unfaithful to him and he justified taking her life in the name of justice. He said that he loved not wisely but too well. It was not very intelligent of him to believe another man about something he would know more about. Rather than trust his natural instincts, Othello's tragic flaw, his "free and open nature" brings about his misery and demise. In the end, his character is brought to light of a horrible situation meticulously executed by a deceitful devil named Iago.

Othello also possesses a public image of great dignity. When defending his marriage to Desdemona, Othello tells the simple truth without being apologetic or conceited. When Brabantio begins to proceed against him, Othello is unimpressed: "Let him do his spite: / My services which I have done the signiory / Shall out-tongue his complaints" (Act 1 Scene II, Lines 17-19). Furthermore, Brabantio cannot effectively prevent Othello's marriage, and despite the fact that he disagrees with the elopement, he still shows respect and appreciation for Othello: "I here do give thee that with all my heart. . ."(Act 1, Scene III, Line 223). Othello is not only confident in his worth as a military man, he is also sure that he deserves Desdemona in every way. He is a man who has proven himself by his own achievements.

* Montano: " 'Tis a worthy governor" (Act 2, Scene I, Line 33)

"I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss" (Act V, Scene II, Lines 413-414). This line demonstrates that Othello is still very much a passionate individual.

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Approximate Word count = 1986
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)