Desdemona Is To Blame In Shakespeare's Othello

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Othello, written by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that involved many dastardly actions being committed by various characters throughout the play. Some of the most gruesome acts are committed by the title character, Othello. Strictly based on his actions alone, one might be able to mark Othello as an extremely jealous man with a murderous temper. But when taking a look at all of the tragedy’s surrounding elements, one can concur that Othello is only falling victim to a well-conceived plot set forth by Iago. One of the first immoral actions that Othello commits in the play is when he accuses his wife, Desdemona of being unfaithful. Othello confronts Desdemona about her infidelity through the use of verbal abuse, stating, “I cry you mercy, …show more content…
Othello shows his supposedly “wicked” tendencies when he tells Iago, “Oh, that the slave had forty thousand lives! / One is too poor, too weak for my revenge. / Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago, / All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. / 'Tis gone.” (Shakespeare 3.3, 73). Othello claims that even killing Cassio would not be enough revenge. This call for revenge and murder upon Cassio marks another immoral action perpetrated by Othello in the play. But once again when looking at the context of the circumstances at hand, the audience is able to pity Othello because they are aware that these things are only being said due to the treacherous influence of Iago. Iago is again able to manipulate Othello by using Othello’s lack of self-confidence in his marriage due to the racial prejudice during the time period. Iago uses this, coupled with Othello’s need for dominance and masculinity, to put the idea of killing his so-called competitor, Cassio. Through these means, Othello allows Iago to bring out his most evil characteristics (Mabillard), including thoughts of murderous

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