Othellos Changing Perceptions of Desdemona

A detailed Summary of Othellos Changing Perceptions of Desdemona

In Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago is the antagonist. That is, he is the villain in the play Othello. He is the person who causes an action to occur which affects the other characters in the play. This action may not necessarily be a good thing. Iago is the catalyst for Othello's change. He is the reason behind Othello's changing views of his wife Desdemona, which results in the deaths of many of the characters in this tragedy. In order to understand the role Iago plays in destroying Othello, it is important to understand how Iago uses other characters in Othello to set his devious plot into motion. Iago successfully manipulates the characters involved to further his evil plans. He does this in such a way that the majority of the characters' perceptions of each other change dramatically. Thus leading to Othello's transformation and Othello's changing views and behaviour towards his beloved wife Desdemona. Iago firstly uses Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman, in love with Desdemona and then Cassio in the process of annihilating Othello. Cassio is Othello's Lieutenant. Other characters Iago exploit include his own wife Emilia and Desdemona herself. Iago goes to a lot of trouble to conquer Othello. When Iago's interaction with the oth

Iago gives Othello more proof of Desdemona and Cassio's commitment to each other, which enables Othello to become even more infuriated than he already is. Here Iago speaks with Cassio of Bianca, Cassio's mistress: "Now will I question Cassio of Bianca, a housewife that by selling her desires Buys herself bread and clothes. It is a creature that dotes on Cassio; as 'tis the strumpet's plague To beguile many and be beguiled by one. He when he hears of her, cannot refrain From excess laughter. Here he comes. As he smile, Othello shall go mad; And his unbookish jealousy must construe Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures and light behaviours Quite in the wrong." (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 91-101). Iago explains his plan in his soliloquy, which is to have Othello listen in on his conversation with Cassio in hopes that what Othello believes he hears and sees, will further destroy Othello's and Desdemona's relationship. Othello believes Iago is talking to Cassio about Desdemona and take everything the wrong way. He is horrified of how Cassio is behaving whilst talking with Iago. Othello is determined to kill Desdemona after what has witnessed. "Get me some poison, Iago, this night. I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again - this night, Iago." (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 92-94). Othello has changed as a result of Iago's wicked ways. He has changed to such an extent that he can no longer live with this woman of unmoral behaviours and pledges to assassinate her.

Iago's role in changing Othello's observations of Desdemona can be seen even more clearly when Othello strikes Desdemona. Lodovico, an outsider, sees a distinct change in Othello and comments to Iago on this who agrees wholeheartedly. "Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate Call all-in-all sufficient? Is this the nature Whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue The shot of accident nor dart of chance Could neither graze nor pierce? He is much changed." (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 254-259). This quote shows Lodovico's shock towards the change in Othello especially towards Desdemona whom Othello once loved so dearly. Desdemona being the submissive person that she is does nothing to defend herself. She takes everything Othello throws her way. Desdemona loves Othello even after the way he has mistreated her. Her love for him will not change. "Let nobody blame him; his scorn I approve - " (Act 4, Scene 3. Line 49). This line comes from a song Desdemona sings but it represents Desdemona's feelings towards Othello perfectly. She won't blame him for the way he treats her. Even on her death bed Desdemona does not blame Othello for anything. In answer to Emilia's question as to who killed her, Desdemona replies, "Nobody; I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. O farewell." (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 125-126). Othello's view of Desdemona may have changed due to the presence of an evil force, that being Iago, but Desdemona still loves her husband and claims she was true to him.

Iago is, indeed, the catalyst of Othello's changing perceptions, observations and views of his wife Desdemona. He was the cause of the deaths of many innocent men and women including Roderigo, Desdemona, Emilia and Othello. Through deception and concealment of who and what kind of person he was, Iago manage to destroy Othello by changing his perceptions of Desdemona. Early on through Iago's own words "I am not what I am" (Act1, Scene1, Line66) it can be seen how Iago really is and how cunning he can be in deceiving people to get what he wants. Hence, his role in destroying Othello and Desdemona is quite a large role. If it hadn't been for Iago Othello would not have begun to become suspicious of Desdemona and their relationship would be as loving as ever before. Also people would not have died as a result.

Othello continues to believe that Desdemona is a whore right up until after Desdemona's death. After Desdemona's death, Othello's perceptions of Desdemona changes once more when

Some common words found in the essay are:
Emilia Emilia, Desdemona Cassio's, Othello Iago, Othello Othello, Othello Desdemona, Desdemona's Cassio's, Iago Desdemona's, Brabantio Desdemona's, Desdemona Othello, Desdemona Lodovico, 3 line, scene 3, scene 3 line, 4 scene, act 4 scene, act 4, scene 1 line, act 3, 1 line, scene 1, perceptions desdemona, othello believes, 4 scene 1, 3 scene, act 3 scene,

Approximate Word count = 2826
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English