A Failure of Trust and the Victory of Jealousy in Othello
- Submitted by: treaky
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- Category: English: Shakespeare
- Date Submitted: 08/17/2010 03:46 AM
- Pages: 5
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The tragedy of Othello is that the Moor was once noble and virtuous and was driven to a state where he plotted and committed murder then suicide. The reason for this change in persona, is because Othello’s misplaced trust, allowed him to be manipulated and made jealous by his most trusted companion Iago. Although Othello’s failure to trust his wife over Iago caused his and her undoing, it is fair to say that his trust for his Ancient was justifiable. Although Othello’s jealousy of Cassio’s and Desdemona’s relationship prevailed, there are some instances in the play where jealousy isn’t victorious. The themes of trust and jealousy are heavily embedded in the text and are at the heart of this tragedy as they drive the plot forward to its chaotic climax.
The most predominant and prevalent theme in Othello, is trust. This is because Othello’s unequivocal and misplaced trust for Iago, is the main cause for Othello’s downfall. Ultimately, Othello realises how mistaken he was for trusting Iago, but it is fair to say that his faith is justifiable, therefore it isn’t a failure of trust but merely a misconception as to who to trust. Othello and Iago have known each other and fought together for many years. They are old and trusted companions while Othello, in contrast, is virtually a stranger to his wife, Desdemona. His unfamiliarity with his wife allows Iago to exploit Othello’s overly trusting nature, to serve his own purposes. It is inaccurate to presume that ‘a failure of trust’ is at the heart of this play as it is justifiable for Othello to trust Iago over his wife, whereas a more accurate statement is the triumph of deception is at the heart of the tragedy of Othello.
There is evidence to dispute the statement that a failure of trust is at the heart of Othello. Although it is also partially correct, as every character has the uttermost respect and trust for Iago, and it is this unequivocal trust, that allowed the tragedy to occur. So in that sense yes it is a...
The most predominant and prevalent theme in Othello, is trust. This is because Othello’s unequivocal and misplaced trust for Iago, is the main cause for Othello’s downfall. Ultimately, Othello realises how mistaken he was for trusting Iago, but it is fair to say that his faith is justifiable, therefore it isn’t a failure of trust but merely a misconception as to who to trust. Othello and Iago have known each other and fought together for many years. They are old and trusted companions while Othello, in contrast, is virtually a stranger to his wife, Desdemona. His unfamiliarity with his wife allows Iago to exploit Othello’s overly trusting nature, to serve his own purposes. It is inaccurate to presume that ‘a failure of trust’ is at the heart of this play as it is justifiable for Othello to trust Iago over his wife, whereas a more accurate statement is the triumph of deception is at the heart of the tragedy of Othello.
There is evidence to dispute the statement that a failure of trust is at the heart of Othello. Although it is also partially correct, as every character has the uttermost respect and trust for Iago, and it is this unequivocal trust, that allowed the tragedy to occur. So in that sense yes it is a...