Essay Sample: The Tragedy of Othello

William Shakespeare’s Othello is an intricate play illustrating how the flaws of the characters eventually erupt into an irreversible tragedy. As the audience witnesses the unfolding plot, it is clear that many of the main characters have fatal weaknesses that consequently lead to their ruin in some way. However, the primary source of the chaos is the strong hatred and jealousy that Iago first expresses. That single seed of envy is what branches out into a masterfully-arranged and evil plan created by Iago aimed at Othello and his marriage. Shakespeare amplifies the prominent theme of jealousy and hate and their effects on humans in his play, Othello, by including the malicious character of Iago and how the actions and feelings of this man became the initial cause of many tragic conflicts, which suggests that the addition of this character into the play was to remind the audience that if hatred and jealousy are excessively dwelled on, it can result in a terrible outcome.

Iago’s first sign of envy is provoked by Othello’s choice to make Cassio his lieutenant, which shouldn’t be any major issue, except for the fact that Iago firmly believes that he should’ve been selected, and this thought, along with other feelings,  is what drives Iago into an incredibly angry state of mind that only worsens throughout the play. As seen throughout Othello, Iago tends to form ideas then constantly think about them and use them to feed his jealousy, which is what makes him the villain. From the very beginning of Act 1, Iago’s blatant resentment is made clear to the audience, speaking about the lieutenant incident, after Roderigo mentions, “Thou told’st me thou didst hold him in thy hate” (Othello 1.1.7). This means that Iago has told Roderigo his detestation for Othello before, possibly numerous times, supporting the idea that Iago’s hatred for Othello is building, which will eventually inspire Iago’s idea to kill Othello. In this same moment, while telling Roderigo about Othello not choosing him, Iago declares, “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. / But he, as loving his own pride and purposes, / Evades them with a bombast circumstance / Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,” (Othello 1.1.12-15). This demonstrates how strongly Iago feels about not getting the position, and he is showing annoyance regarding Othello’s dismissive behavior when his decision is questioned. Furthermore, the idea that this exchange between Iago and Roderigo represents is that Iago has talked to Roderigo about this before, meaning that he has put a great deal of thought into the situation. Iago displays a considerable amount of envy while talking about Cassio during this scene because he believes he is much more fit for the position and seems to desperately want the power. The thought of Othello’s selection of Cassio to be his lieutenant is one of the main factors that give rise to the jealousy and hatred growing inside of Iago, which will end up creating many difficult conflicts.

The development of jealousy in Iago is also caused by his conception that Othello has slept with Emilia, who is Iago’s wife, and this leads him to feel tremendously envious and livid towards Othello, resulting in the creation of his villainous plan. At first, the audience may think that Iago’s explanation for hating Othello is just because of his choice of making Cassio lieutenant, but he reveals another reason in a soliloquy, saying, “I hate the Moor; / And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets / He’s done my office. I know not if’t be true; / But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, / Will do as if for surety” (Othello 1.3.387-391). Iago is sharing that he heard only a rumor about his wife and Othello sleeping together, so he doesn’t even know if this is true or not. This is a perfect example that conveys the idea that Iago holds onto thoughts such as these and magnifies them so he becomes so consumed with jealousy and resentment that the only concept he can think about is getting revenge, not because he loves his wife but because he feels his position is being threatened. Iago vividly expresses jealousy of Cassio once more in his soliloquy at the end of Act 3. At this point in the play, he has thought about getting back at Othello enough times to start conceiving a plan to achieve this, while also taking Cassio’s position. In the midst of his mysterious monologue, he begins planning his scheme, first reviewing how he thinks Othello views him, saying, “He holds me well; / The better shall my purpose work on him. / Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now: / To get his place and to plume up my will / In double knavery” (Othello 1.3.391-395). These are other important lines from the end of the first act presenting the introduction of the forming of Iago’s plan. While he is formulating his plan, the audience discovers that he is preparing to get the position from Cassio, and hurt Othello in some way, once again displaying jealousy. He is talking to himself, which further bolsters the likely possibility that Iago often speaks or thinks to himself in an evil manner regarding his loathing and envy for Othello. This relates back to Shakespeare’s intentions of including an antagonist like Iago. By creating a dramatic, tragic scenario revolving around jealousy, a general message has been embedded in the text warning the audience to not do as Iago did, becoming devoured by envy and hate, as it will inevitably lead to a dreadful future, for oneself or others.

Throughout the play, it is evident that Iago’s plan ultimately consists of ruining the lives of Cassio, who has power that he longs for, but predominantly, Othello, who’s loving relationship with Desdemona reminds Iago of his inability to truly love his own wife, and this makes him feel powerless leading him to seek revenge against Othello in particular. Iago’s relationship with his wife, Emilia, is not warm-hearted or affectionate in any way, unlike Othello and Desdemona’s marriage. Although not as clear as the other motives for Iago’s actions, it can be inferred that a third reason would be that Iago is completely envious of Desdemona and Othello, and hopes to ruin the seemingly-unbreakable bond between the two. Iago’s damaged relationship is a direct consequence of the way he treats Emilia. He constantly belittles his wife, telling her, “You are a fool” (Othello 4.2.154), and only using her to help his scheme succeed, as demonstrated when Emilia finds the handkerchief he was after in order to convince Othello even further, and exclaims, “My wayward husband hath a hundred times / Wooed me to steal it,” (Othello 3.3.308-309). It is apparent that he genuinely doesn't love her, suggesting that his whole point in feeling jealous of Othello is because of the natural power that comes with being a part of a strong marriage. This persistent longing for control is another component that induces the growth of jealousy and hatred towards Othello in Iago. In another instance when Iago is alone, once again confirming that the thoughts of getting revenge on Othello are continuously in his head, he is planning out the details of his plot, claiming he is going to, “...draw the Moor apart / And bring him jump when he may Cassio find / Soliciting his wife” (Othello 1.3 379-381). What Iago is setting up for Othello here, is to put him through the same jealousy that he is feeling, relating to his wife cheating on him. He is carrying out this plan, knowing that Othello’s life will be ruined, as will other peoples’ such as Cassio, and Desdemona. Connecting back to the purpose of this character, Iago was placed into this play in order to create chaos deriving from the jealousy he feels inside, leading him to have a desire to wreck the lives of the people he believes are at fault.

The classic play, Othello, holds the lesson that if too much thought is put into jealousy and resentment, it will naturally cause the emergence of many chaotic issues. Shakespeare’s reason for including the character of Iago into this story was to create a conflict that ultimately ended in tragedy, all because of his envious and hateful feelings. In the play, Iago creates a devious plan to essentially achieve his goal of getting revenge on Othello. At the beginning of Othello, Iago expresses jealousy towards Cassio and bitterness for Othello because of the military general’s decision to promote Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of Iago. Another motive for Iago’s actions is his belief in the rumor that Othello had slept with Emilia, Iago’s wife. While Iago is jealous of Othello because of this, it is not because he loves Emilia, it is because he fears the power that comes along with being in that position in his marriage with her is being threatened. Iago is also extremely jealous of Othello and Desdemona’s healthy connection, in comparison to his and Emilia’s crumbling relationship. These main causes of the envy in Iago is what eventually leads to the demise of multiple characters in the play. Iago’s extremely evil thoughts and actions make him the character that Shakespeare used to portray the concept that an obsession with jealousy and hate can be the source of the occurrence of awful events.