Othello Contrasts Analysis Essay Example

Are the most honest people trustworthy, or are they just scheming individuals hiding behind a mask of morality? Throughout William Shakespeare’s play Othello, the reader is compelled to question the show in full display, the critical consequences of contrasting perceptions of an individual, most notably through the story’s main antagonist, Iago, who strives to undermine Othello to rise the military ranks. Ultimately, one can make use of the discrepancies between how others perceive them and how they perceive themselves to achieve their goals, yet this disparity can also inevitably lead to one’s eventual demise. This can be seen through Othello’s contrasting nature, how he uses the interplay of Desmdemona’s self-perception and how Othello perceives her, and then, ultimately, how his mischievous nature falls short.  Iago uses the interplay between his self-perception as worthy and his reputation as honest to manipulate others in pursuit of his goals. After Othello chooses Michael Cassio to be his Lieutenant, Iago feels cheated due to the perception of himself being the ideal candidate for the position. This is a common theme for Iago, and he constantly perceives himself as the smartest and most worthy of the characters. He starts his exploitative efforts with Roderigo, whom he demands money to advise in Roderigo’s pursuit of Desdemona. Originally, Iago flatters Roderigo with comments on how he is of “...noble heart” (I, iii, 299).  However, the reader quickly realizes the insincerity of Iago's intentions when Roderigo leaves, with Iago mentioning how he will make “my fool my purse” (I, iii, 320), for his “own gained knowledge should profane, If I would time expend with such a snipe” (I, iii, 323). Iago reveals his perception of his own time is more important than others, and that he aims to manipulate Roderigo, whom he sees as lacking the intelligence to counter his schemes. In the subsequent dialogue, he contends that Othello “holds him well”, so “the better will [Iago’s] purpose work on him” (I, iii, 328). Iago recognizes that he is held in high esteem by Othello, which he hopes to exploit. He recognizes and perceives himself as a manipulator, for he admits that “I am not what I am”. This contrasts with his showering reputation of honesty, both from Othello and the other characters. Furthermore, it reveals the condescending and greedy opinions that shape how he perceives the destiny of greatness. Iago understands his ambitions and the way others perceive him, so he uses a clean reputation to attempt to move up the ranks. In this case, the discrepancy between how others perceive him and how he perceives himself enables him to manipulate other characters in his pursuit of power. Similarly, Iago identifies and uses discrepancies in perception between other characters and uses those to his advantage. 

Iago introduces doubt into the relationship between Desdemona and Othello and uses the interplay in perception to drive them apart, bringing him closer to his personal goals. To oust Cassio, he goes after what Othello holds most dearly: Desdemona. He recognizes that miscommunication and disagreement between them could drive Othello mad, pushing him to make decisions that were originally farfetched. He first introduces the idea of Desdemona having an affair with Cassio, which will further drive her and Othello apart if she “for [Cassio] pleads strongly to repair his fortunes” after losing the Lieutenancy. Despite Desdemona’s honesty and good intentions, Othello, in a protective state, interprets this as infidelity. He “pour[s] this pestilence in [Othello’s] ear” that Desdemona “repeals [Cassio] for her body’s lust”. By continually abusing Othello’s well-being with the possibility of Desdemona cheating, Iago warps his perception of her. This creates an important discrepancy in which Desdemona perceives herself as honest and innocent, while Othello perceives her as a ”cunning whore of Venice” ( Iv, iii, 90). Othello uses the contrasting perceptions of Desdemona to orchestrate the simultaneous downfall of her and Cassio, creating a net “That shall enmesh them all”. Iago infects Othello with his own desires and uses his power to see that certain individuals are destroyed. The consequences of this fallout are in the favor of Iago, for Desdemona believes she has died a “guiltless death” (V, ii, 136) yet is killed by an Othello who perceives her as an evil infidel Ultimately, the interplay between Desdemona’s self-perception and Othello’s manipulated perception destroys them and creates an opportunity for Iago to achieve his goals. However, as is quickly shown, his deceitful character does not come without consequences. 

A distorted perception of reality can bite one’s back in the end. In Othello, this is shown through the dramatic irony of Iago’s two-faced nature as it is revealed to the characters in the last act, distorting the image of “honest Iago'' and leading to his ultimate demise. Up to this point in the play, Othello, Cassio, and many others have been manipulated by Iago’s cunning nature, but not without consequences. The lies he presented to Emilia and Othello come to fruition shortly after the murder of Desdemona when Othello exclaims to Emilia that “Cassio did top her: ask thy husband else” (V, ii, 137). This is the first time in the play when two characters discuss the actions of Iago, yet, the ability for the characters to quickly discern the truth of the situation demonstrates Iago’s manipulative nature and the extensive lies told to the other character. Immediately, Emilia can deduce the lies fed to her by Iago, calling him a “murderous coxcomb” (V, ii, 231). Much like in real life, the characters are hateful towards Iago as he has fed them harmful lies throughout the play. The great contrast between this quote and the repeated motif of ‘honest Iago’ demonstrates the rapid downfall of a character after their deceitful tactics are shown. The tensions as a result of the interplay between the characters and Iago created throughout the play suddenly come crashing down as Iago, fully exposed, commits actions with the sole purpose of exacting revenge, a considerable character shift from his previous calm and collected behaviors. Namely, Iago’s threatening and stabbing of his wife, Emilia, only proves to validate his misdeeds. Iago being pushed to the brink of his mental sanity is a result of the false facade he presented to the world, causing him to reveal his true nature as a spiteful and rash individual. Shakespeare demonstrates the harm and destruction that can arise from the lies presented to others about oneself, ultimately leading to their demise and the collapse of order around them. 

A tragedy of love, jealousy, and manipulation, William Shakespeare’s Othello is a manifestation of perception at its best-- and how discrepancies between self and social perception can aid in one’s pursuit of power, yet also lead to their eventual demise. The common perception of Iago as a pious and honest man is used by the main antagonist to further his interest. Which allowed him to be in a position where he could orchestrate the demise of Othello’s relationship by presenting discrepancies between Desdemona’s true nature and Othello’s perception of her nature.

This is shown through the contrast between Iago’s honest reputation and his manipulation, in addition to his orchestrated destruction of Desdemona and Cassio by introducing discrepancies in perception between her and Othello. This manipulation ultimately backfires, leaving Iago an outcast and imprisoned when his plot is discovered. This conveys the importance of communication in relationships and looking at past reputation. As can be observed, Iago’s inevitable demise was precipitated by his deceptive intents and an unsuccessful interplay between how individuals perceived him and how he perceived himself.