Section one – extended response – “Othello’s downfall is due to a basic flaw in his own character” discuss and refer to TWO critical interpretations.
Although many may be under the imperession that Othello’s downfall in the Shakespearean text ‘Othello’, it is thought that Othello isn’t the only character to blame for this tragedy. In the play Othello, Iago orchestrates Othello's downfall like a skillful playwright. Although flaws in Othello’s character may be greatly influential towards his downfall, the key person that is to be held responsible for this is Iago.
Othello's villain, Iago, may possibly be the most impressive master of deception in the history of literature. Iago plots with supreme complexity, carefully manipulating Othello into believing that his own wife, Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. Iago’s understanding of the human mind is remarkable; along with his ability to compose such a complicated set of pre-planned scenarios. Iago's deception is so effective due to his patience, intelligence, and what seems to be his deep-down sense of pride and pleasure in being able to so comprehensively manipulate others. This idea can be seen in Act 1 Scene 3 of Oliver Parkers filmic interpretation of Othello. During this scene, Parker depicts Iago moving chess pieces around a board as he articulates his plan to convince Othello that Cassio has slept with Desdemona, and to use Othello’s honest and unsuspecting nature to bring him down. Parker’s use of showing Iago moving chess pieces around during his soliloquy represents the God like power he has over Othello and Desdemona and depicts the two as just pieces in Iago’s game of life. It is this manipulation in which is considered to be the central foundation of the tragedy of Othello. Iago is to be held responsible as he is seen to skilfully plant the seed of doubt in Othello’s head which consequently results in the fatal downfall of the great Othello.
Some such as FR Leavis may point the finger at...