Othello, Tragedy of Trust

A detailed Summary of Othello, Tragedy of Trust

Naive, unsophisticated, proud, and strong-willed, although a short list of characteristics it is broad in meaning, almost a paradox in ways. These are the personality traits that are brought out in the character of Othello throughout the play, "The Tragedy of Othello". However, only a few of these traits would have been apparent if it had not been for the character of Iago. He instigated all of the wrong- doing that occurred by recognizing the weaknesses of Othello and using them against him. Iago was a better judge of character than most, thus he was able to pull off the scheme that he did by playing everyone off of one another to confuse, irritate, and eventually breakdown and drive Othello to self-destruction.

The strength of Othello's character is shown through his title, given by Venetians, as the Moor. Othello likes to be in control of all situations, such as when Roderigo antagonized the fight between Cassio and Montano; he says:

My blood begins my safer guides to rule,

And passion, having my best judgment collied,

Or do but lift this arm, the best of you

Shall sink in my rebuke" (II, iii, lines 211-216).

This also displays the respect that he is given by everyone else.

Although the battles that Othello has fought and won have given him strength and courage, they have also allowed him to become naive to the corruptness of those that are closest to him, such as Iago. It is natural, though, for Othello to think that he can trust his soldiers, the men that he goes to war with to defend each other's lives. Iago was seen as an honest person by everyone, also, which added to the difficulty for Othello to see through him. Many times Othello expresses his confidence in trusting Iago, such as when he spoke to the Duke,

Could neither graze nor pierce" (IV, i, lines 299-303).

With what else needful your good grace shall think,

The shot of accident nor dart of chance

Othello also put his full trust into Desdemona after knowing her for only a short period of time. It seems rational enough, though, for him to be able to trust the one to whom he is married. This comes to haunt him later in the play when he realizes, with the influence of Iago of course, how easy he tends to trust people without question.

"So please your grace, my ancient;

When Iago delivers the news of Desdemona's unfaithfulness, Othello has no choice but to believe him. There is no reason, which Othello can see, why not to believe him, Iago has always been a trustworthy man and he barely knew Desdemona before they were married. This is where Othello begins to question himself and his actions. He comments, "She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them" (I, iii, lines 181-2). Othello made this remark early in the play only to find out how true it was, they were not re

Some common words found in the essay are:
Cassio Montano, Iago Othello's, Tragedy Othello, Senate Call, Trust Naive, Othello Iago's, Othello Lodovico, Iago Desdemona, Moor Othello, iii lines, othello's mind, iago othello's, othello trust,

Approximate Word count = 1102
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English