Othello Research Paper

English 102

22 APR 2014

Research Paper Extract: Othello

In the play Othello, William Shakespeare uses character, plot and dialog to advance the theme of the dangers of jealousy. Iago’s jealousy of Cassio’s promotion over him and Othello’s talents of persuasion led him to manipulate Othello into murdering his own innocent wife while in a jealous rage over an act of adultery which never occurred.

The character of Iago is perhaps the most important aspect of the play. He is introduced as a sort of “Satan” figure. He even goes so far as to openly admit himself an agent of evil, by saying: “Hell and night/Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.” Some critics have advanced the idea that Iago was an example of the archetypical flatterer from one of Plutarch’s more famous Moralia, “How to tell a Flatterer from a Friend.” Robert Evans writes:

…Plutarch (and many others) insisted that the most skillful and dangerous flatterers were also the least obvious, and were extremely difficult to distinguish from true comrades. Spotting an obvious flatterer was easy, but discerning a clever one was a much harder task. Shakespeare's Iago, of course, is one of the cleverest false friends of all time, and indeed Marvin Rosenberg has argued that it is only Othello's friendship with Iago that can explain the abruptness and depth of the Moor's transformation from a noble and respected commander to the tragic killer of a deeply loving wife. "What," Rosenberg asks, "could subvert such nobility? And betray it into murder? Only... betrayal by a friend so close, so trusted, that Othello has no choice but to listen to him." (Flattery in Shakespeare’s Othello)

Part of Iago’s hatred of Othello can perhaps be traced to his feeling, somewhat although not fully justified, that he and Othello are different sides of the same coin, with him just being more honest with himself about it. By the standards of the day, Othello was dishonorable in not requesting permission of Brabantio to...