Othello Analysis

Jacob Cooperider
Mrs. Smallwood
English IV Honors
October 5, 2012

Analysis on Othello Othello by William Shakespeare is a play that involves the story of Othello and his new wife Desdemona while they are in Cyprus attended to business of their leader. Othello accuses his new wife of betraying his love because of the outlandish lies of friend Iago. Othello is a manipulated, unsuspecting leader, who in the end will fall due to these qualities and kill not only himself, but his wife Desdemona. Othello is manipulated throughout the entire play. He believes that his wife Desdemona is having relations with his former lieutenant Cassio. This thought is further implemented by the sly words of Iago, who is trying to get rid of Othello and Cassio. Othello can not see what is happening right before his eyes because he is blind to Iago’s master plan. “Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles, or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs, or distract it with many, either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry, why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills” (Shakespeare 27-28). Iago says in this quote that he is the master gardener and Othello is his garden. Othello is not only manipulated by Iago, he is also unsuspecting of any plans by his new lieutenant. Othello is a very unsecure person which is why he is so quick to accuse Desdemona, even before he has a change to hear her side of the story. He does not think that his friend Iago would do anything to harm him. “Cassio's a proper man… Let's see: -- after some time, to abuse Othello's ear that he is too familiar with his wife. He hath a person and a smooth dispose to be suspected, framed to make women false. The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are” (Shakespeare 30). This is where Iago points out Othello’s major flaw; he shows that Othello is too believing of him, even when he is obviously lying. Othello is manipulated and is unsuspecting of it, but he is also a leader, which makes the deception even worse. Othello was born into royal blood, but because he was black he was forced to work as a slave. He did not let this slow him down, working all the way up in the king’s army to the rank of moor, or general. He would not have been given this title if he was not good at commanding his troops. “I have done the state some service, and they know't. No more of that. I pray you, in your letters, when you shall these unlucky deeds relate, speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak of one that loved not wisely but too well; of one not easily jealous, but being wrought perplex'd in the extreme;…drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees their medicinal gum.” (Shakespeare 123). These are Othello’s final words, he reflects on his service, and how he wants to be remembered. Othello is manipulated by Iago, does not suspect his evil plans, but happened to be a great leader.