Shakespeare and the Tragedy of Othello
Shakespeare emphasized the drama of a hero and a strong lady in The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. Due to their flaws and character characteristics, Othello and Desdemona experience tragedy. Othello is portrayed as a domestic tragedy with a number of universal elements, including racism, racism, and love. Age, race, and class differences between Othello and Desdemona have an impact on their marriage because Iago, the villain, uses Othello's insecurities to plan his demise. Shakespeare challenges how and where people in society define love.
Othello's Insecurities and his Relationship with Desdemona
The black moor, Othello, has fought for the Republic of Venice as an army general after having served as a mercenary fighter. Although Othello excelled in his job, since he was an immigrant, he felt insecure about his status in the society. He is self-conscious of his race, manner of speech and lifestyle. He endeavors to become a member of the community by adopting their way of life and mode of expression, but remains uncomfortable even in Cyprus, away from sophisticated Venice (Act 2, scene 2). Moreover, Othello recognizes the age difference between him and Desdemona which further fuels his uncertainty about their marriage.
The Tragic Marriage between Othello and Desdemona
Othello's marriage to Desdemona is doomed from the beginning despite their dazzling personalities. Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian senator, shows bravery and absolute love for Othello throughout the play. She defies her father and marries Othello despite her father's controlling nature, "But here's my husband and so much duty as my mother showed to you preferring you before her father so much I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my Lord" (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 184-185). Othello secretly marries Desdemona. Marrying in secret portrays their efforts to avoid criticism from Desdemona's father and the society as a whole. The tragedy of their relationship was evident since they did not take the time to build a healthy relationship before marriage. Desdemona fell in love with Othello primarily because she was intrigued with his world full of travels and bravery. She was so impressed by Othello that it was she who instigated their relationship (Act 1, Scene 3). Desdemona had many suitable choices, but she chooses Othello, a man of a different race. Shakespeare illustrates to build long-lasting marriages; love is not the only prerequisite. After the wedding, Desdemona's father, Barbantio, who is against their marriage accuses Othello of stealing his daughter.
The Impact of Societal Criticism, Racism, and Insecurities
The family is the primary unit of every society hence support of its members in crucial decisions is valuable for every individual. However, Desdemona's father did not approve of her choice. Accusing Othello of stealing her daughter shows Barbantio has low regard for her husband's daughter. Apart from making Desdemona sad, the lack of approval might have led her to question her choices since she had always lived under her father's guidance. Despite the fact that the Duke of Venice judges in Othello's favor his father-in-law's disapproval further fuels Othello's insecurities. Though Desdemona married Othello irrespective of their different races and a relatively large age gap, their marriage is plagued with societal criticism, racism and insecurities.
Racism and Societal Criticism
The Venetians were racist at the time of the play hence a marriage between a white woman and black man seemed unnatural. Even individuals who were not prejudiced against other races would have found it convenient for Desdemona to be attracted to a young white man who the society would have approved. Majority of the individuals in the Venice community considered their marriage wrong.
The Lack of Communication and Understanding in their Relationship
There was no basis for a healthy relationship between Desdemona and Othello. Addressing the societal criticism would have been possible if the couple had built their relationship on communication, trust, and understanding rather than romantic and profane love. Othello admits that he is only suitable for the battlefield and lacks the necessary communication and peace-seeking skills (Act 1, Scene 3). Similarly, Desdemona is merely an inexperienced girl who is taken by intriguing war stories and Othello's manliness. While she speaks fondly about her husband, Desdemona does not know Othello. The couple does not understand each other enough to uphold a marriage.
The Manipulation of Iago and Othello's Jealousy
When Othello's career progresses and he is instructed to go to Cyprus to fight Turkish army Desdemona insists on accompanying him. He also takes Cassio, a young man who had been recently endorsed as Lieutenant, and Iago, an older soldier who works as Othello's assistant. The storm has scattered the Turkish fleet making it difficult for Othello to organize an attack. The fiendish Iago takes this opportunity to persuade Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Iago harbors hatred for Othello due to resentment for his promotion and suspicions that Othello had a relationship with his wife (Act 1, Scene 3). The exact motive for Iago villain actions is vague. He uses Cassio and Roderigo as his pawns to plant the seed of doubt in Othello's mind regarding Desdemona.
The Downfall of Othello and Desdemona
Desdemona's marriage to Othello was a moment's decision, and their relationship was primarily based on romantic love rather than other strongholds of a relationship such as trust. Othello is ready to believe his wife is unfaithful since Iago uses Othello's insecurities such as age and race. Cassio was much younger than Othello, and he was a similar race to Desdemona. Othello has believed Iago's claims since he considers Cassio a better option for Desdemona as compared to him. Unlike him, Cassio is not an outsider and is relatively sophisticated. Othello's insecurities are used against him while he would have prevented the tragedy by trusting Desdemona and believing in their love for each other. Iago says, "Look to her More if thou has the eyes to see; she has deceived her father and may thee reinforce the prelude." Othello's biggest flaw was jealousy.
The Deterioration of the Relationship and Tragic End
The relationship between Othello and Desdemona deteriorate further when Othello sees Cassio with a handkerchief he has given to Desdemona as a gift. Desdemona's tenacity was her downfall. While she knows Othello is insecure, she continues to support Cassio as a friend. She persuades her husband to reinstate his lieutenant although she knew Cassio annoys Othello (Act 3, Scene 2). When she wrongly believes Cassio is dead, Desdemona openly mourns for him. Although she pleads her innocence to Othello, "I never did offend you, never loved Cassio," her support for Cassio increases Othello's doubt (Act 5, Scene 2). Othello is quick to rush to conclusions although Desdemona bids him to do the practical thing and asks Cassio how he came to possess the handkerchief. Inquiring and investigating of how Cassio acquired the handkerchief is too rational for Othello who has already ordered his death. Othello has spent the majority of his adult life in battle and that has made him handle every situation with strict discipline as if it was at the battlefield. The man is irrational most of the time.
The Tragic Conclusion
Othello smothers Desdemona with a pillow and kills her while in rage. However, before murdering the woman he supposedly loves, he justifies his actions with thoughts of her rebirth. Othello focuses on the positive attributes of Desdemona's character such as her white skin he loves and admires. The decision to kill Desdemona forces him to acknowledge the love he has for her. His allusion of Prometheus showcases his desire to restore Desdemona's innocence. Woman's devotion to her husband is evident till her last breath when she defends Othello and tries to absolve him the blame of her death. Her protecting Othello at the point of death at his hands is the absolute evidence of the tragedy that was following the lives of Othello and Desdemona. It illustrates that Desdemona loved Othello beyond rational thought. Moreover, Othello murdering his wife on allegations of cheating shows the toxic nature of their relationship.
The Realization of Othello and the Tragic End
He later learns from Emilia and letters found on Roderigo that he was indeed tricked by Iago and commits suicide. In his last song, Othello describes himself as the one who loved well but not wisely. This statement shows that he realizes his irrationality when it is too late. However, at the point of death, he is still concerned about his public image and does not acknowledge the enormity of his unreasonable actions (Act 5, Scene 2). Shakespeare demonstrates that sometimes love is not enough for a successful relationship. He showcases that one needs wisdom in love for it to live long and prosper.
The Moral and Lesson in the Tragedy of Othello
Othello, the moor of Venice is a perfect example of the fall of an honorable man with a strict military disciplined conduct who changes into a murderer controlled by irrational human emotions such as jealousy. In his tumble, he takes his brave and loyal wife with him to the point when he kills her. The play illustrates that relationships are built on more than mere love; they require understanding and communication which is not evident in Othello and Desdemona's relationship.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice. Ed. Tucker Brooke and Lawrence Mason. New Haven: Yale UP, 1947.
