(2.1.) While he does show her some affection, Cassio also refers to Bianca contemptuously as a bauble (IV. Do Othello and Desdemona get what they deserve? - eNotes.com By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The main themes and issues explored are racism, reputation and honour, manipulation and . While Iago, Lodovico, and Gratiano tend to Cassio, Bianca arrives. He is all, My lord, you know I love you and Othello falls for it. Iago uses Cassio in his scheme to destroy Othello; Iago insinuates throughout that Cassio is having an affair with Othellos wife, Desdemona. Othello has promoted Cassio, not Iago, to be his lieutenant.Iago crudely informs Brabantio, Desdemonas father, that Othello and Desdemona have eloped. Why does Iago think that Emilia has slept with both Othello and Cassio, and where in the play does he voice these suspicions? Othellos lieutenant. Othello Character Relationships | Shakespeare Learning Zone The Senate agrees to let her join Othello in Cyprus. Desdemona frantically searches for her handkerchief. Similarly, in Act 3, scene 3, the central manipulation scene, he defends both Cassio ("For Michael Cassio, / I dare be sworn I think that he is honest.") In Cyprus, Iago continues to plot against Othello and Cassio. with line numbers, as DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.) Looking for an inspiring idea for a paper on Othello? Who is really to blame for Desdemonas death? Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Which is to say that Othello may simply not have noticed them. When his ship arrives, he and Desdemona joyfully greet each other. Iago always appears to defend those who appear to be at fault. Web. Throughout their confrontation, Cassio is depicted as a selfish, insincere, chauvinistic individual. Michael Cassio, or simply Cassio (/ksio/), is a fictional character in William Shakespeare's Othello. A sci-fi prison break movie where multiple people die while trying to break out, My manager warned me about absences on short notice. For this reason (at least he claims), Iago declares that he hates Othello and will wreak vengeance on both Othello and Cassio. MegaEssays.com. "How Othello is relevant to a modern day audience." TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. IvyPanda. Iago re-enters and falsely rushes to Cassios aid. Othello is convinced by this proof and vows to kill Desdemona; Iago agrees to kill Cassio. EnterOthello,Iago,Attendants,withTorches. Montano insists that he is in too much pain to speak and insists that Iago tell the story. That said, Othello is remarkably obtuse. without line numbers, as DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.) He also claims that he suspects that his own wife, Emilia, has cheated on him with Othello, making him a cuckold. Cassio is loyal to Othello and is a great admirer of Desdemona. She tells of her love for Othello, and the marriage stands. Generally speaking, I certainly don't think that either character deserves to meet such a violent death at the end of Othello. Registered in England and Wales No. Why did jeff dunham and paige get divorced? 20 April. In a dark street. A little forethought ought to have told him that if the business with Rodrigo, or with the handkerchief, ever came out, then he would be in a very awkward position. Angered when she cannot produce it, he storms away. Emilia picks it up and gives it to Iago, who has often asked for it. The first reason for Iagos rage at Othello lies behind his career dismay. Thinking Cassio is dead, Othello moves to murder Desdemona. Another factor is that nobody except Iago considers Cassio unfit for the position to which he gets promoted. Next, in Cyprus on a military campaign, Iago gets Cassio drunk and arranges a brawl, which he makes sure Othello witnesses; Othello has to strip the recently promoted Cassio of his commission. I had the great good fortune to see the 2007 production of Othello put on at the Donmar Warehouse with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the title role. Iago uses this and other ploysmisinterpreted conversations, insinuations, and a lost handkerchiefto convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. The latter portrayed Cassio in Laurence Olivier's version of Othello, both on stage and screen. Othellos mind has been poisoned by the manipulations of the villainous Iago, but ultimately, Othellos actions are his own. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. What is meant by 'patient' in Hamlet's famous soliloquy? Iago is definitely to blame for the misfortune that occurs in the story. a north African Muslim). If the first rule of creative writing class is show dont tell, the second or third rule may well be make your characters motivations clear. The showdown between Iago and Othello is one of the central issues of Shakespeares play. Desdemonas interview with Cassio is cut short by the arrival of Othello. She tells of her love for Othello, and the marriage stands. Act 3, scene 4 Desdemona, still actively seeking to have Cassio reinstated, is worried about the loss of her handkerchief. Stack Exchange network consists of 182 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Othello arrives and announces the destruction of the Turkish fleet. So if you're interested in maintaining good overall health, as well as your smile, visit your dentist for a checkup and . His promotion of Cassio over Iago is more or less the first thing we learn about Othello. The best way to do this, says Iago, is by killing Cassio. Iago then sets about convincing Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona; he tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to put in a good word for him with Othello so he might get his commission back (but with the result that Othello questions why his wife would want to plead for Cassio). Scroll down to unveil the plot of Twelfth Night. (viz. EnterOthello,Desdemona,Cassio,andAttendants. He is easily fooled by Iago into believing in Desdemonas infidelity, and doesnt take independent steps to test this conclusion. Were not in a position to hold Othellos character constant and consider his actions in that light; instead we have to observe his actions and consider his character in their light. Dive deep into the worlds largest Shakespeare collection and access primary sources from the early modern period. 311-12). Cassio is in a relationship with a woman called Bianca. There are parts of the play where Desdemona and Cassio may appear to be attracted to one another, for example his descriptions of the divine Desdemona and her preoccupation with reinstating him as Othellos lieutenant. Othello feels that it is entirely his fault and commits suicide while Cassio, Rodrigo, Emilia, and Brabantio all contribute to Iagos plot and Desdemona failed to save her own life. Yet Shakespeare puts into Iagos mouth several plausible motives for wreaking the confusion and chaos that causes Othellos downfall and Desdemonas death, and in providing multiple motives, Iago emerges as motiveless, to use Coleridges famous description (Coleridge described Iago as being possessed of motiveless malignity). First, he's a lightweight when it comes to drinking. Share Cite. Btw, I dont really believe that this was the case but Im curious as to if there are any theories suggesting it is. In a false display of loyalty to Othello, Iago warns him that Brabantio has been told of his daughters marriage. This type of character analysis, which was popular in the 19th century, is completely outdated now. He intends to signal that he did not mean any disrespect by kissing another man's wife but that this sort of behavior is simply part of the good manners he is used to displaying. The racial issue is of paramount importance in this play. Why do we get some explicit references in Shakespearean plays that are meant for something else? That being said, why doesn't it seem to occur to Othello that Iago might have reacted this way? They had a good relationship - Othello trusted Cassio and Cassio [1] Cassio is based upon Cinthio's squadron leader. Desdemonas cousin, Lodovico, arrives with news that Cassio has been appointed Governor of Cyprus. 2002-2023 MegaEssays.com. Othello responds that he must hear his side of the story before passing judgment. The villain created it to punish both Othello and Cassio for injustice. Othello suffocates Desdemona, who proclaims her innocence until the last. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Accessed 9 July 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. (And psychoanalytic criticism is an entirely different beast.). Roderigo attacks Cassio but it backfires when he is wounded himself. His explorations and adventures also contributed to his 'otherness' and his 'foreignness' with the connections to 'nakedness, savagery, and general immorality'. Iago, having got hold of a handkerchief of Desdemonas, which shed lost (a gift from Othello), hatches a plan to make Othello think his wife has been sleeping with Cassio. The view that critics have on Iago is linked with their view on Othello. Writers from Dickens to George R. R. Martin have often sorrowfully or gleefully talked of killing off their own characters for the amusement of others; Iago wishes to ruin Othellos marriage for his own amusement or, in Hazlitts phrase, stabs men in the dark to prevent ennui. (1969, December 31). Othello defends himself by claiming that he charmed Desdemona with his stories, not with magic. In productions of Othello, Cassio has been portrayed by actors such as Hayden Adams, Tom Hiddleston, Jonathan Bailey, and Derek Jacobi. without line numbers, DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.) Othello was just out of earshot when Iago talks to Cassio. Iago murdered two of these people with his own hand, but his influence is at the bottom of them all. Othello, in an attempt to catch her out, demands to see it. This is the weakness that Iago exploits when Iago gets Cassio drunk and sends him off to fight Roderigo. Othello describes his courtship of Desdemona, who, when she enters, tells her father and the senators that she has married Othello because she loves him. He is very friendly towards her and Iago uses this to convince Othello they are having an affair. Othello goes mad with jealousy and later smothers Desdemona on their marriage bed, only to learn of Iagos treachery. The different gradations of status embedded in the text are often represented in military terms, with Iago presented as a rough-speaking non-commissioned officer, resentful of Cassio's rank and courtly . Where is the tallest General Electric Building located? After all, Othello has many officers and he only promoted Cassio. She could have also been more observant of Iago's increasingly suspicious behavior and more cautious when speaking to and about Cassio so eagerly. Cassio is in a relationship with a woman called Bianca. (Act 1, Scene 3). 2022, ivypanda.com/q/why-does-iago-hate-othello/. Othello has promoted him and this makes Iago jealous because he believes he is more qualified for the promotion. 1152238. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Oral Health is Overall Health | Massachusetts Dental Society He has also been portrayed by Nathaniel Parker in the 1995 movie production of Othello. Othello Act II: Scene iii Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes 09 Jul. Privacy Policy. Iago uses this and other ploysmisinterpreted conversations, insinuations, and a lost handkerchiefto convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. Cassio is loyal to Othello and is a great admirer of Desdemona. Othello may even believe that Iago is motivated to show good discipline in order to receive promotion next time. Four Tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Othello Ballet Suite/Electronic Organ Sonata No. Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? has told Othello that he is talking to Cassio about Desdemona but Dying, Emilia assures Othello of Desdemonas virtue. Iago tries to blame everything on Bianca, and sends Emilia to deliver the devastating news to Othello and Desdemona that Roderigo is dead and Cassio badly hurt. Iago accuses Othello of sleeping with Emilia, despite the absence of evidence to support that. rev2023.7.7.43526. 2011, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/do-othello-and-desdemona-get-what-they-deserve-398414. Later in the play, Iago persuades Roderigo to assassinate Cassio, and together they arrange an ambush. The army, a machine for killing and maiming people, does not work that way. The OP is quite short and non-specific, but to my mind, "why does Othello have the type of personality to act on impulse without considering the consequences" is a sub-question or extension of "why didn't Othello predict Iago's reaction", even if the direct answer to the latter is "because Othello has the type of personality to act on impulse . Ever the skilled manipulator, Iago is able to ensure that Cassio gets blind drunk and ends up in an unseemly brawl with Roderigo, another of Iagos unwitting dupes. Your privacy is extremely important to us. Othello dismisses Cassio from his service. When she exits, Iago says that Cassios avoidance of Othello is suspicious and that Cassio may not be honorable, all the while insinuating that he, Iago, knows more than he is willing to say. Villain suspects his wife, Emilia, in her disloyalty and sexual betrayal: I hate the Moor: And it is thought abroad, that twixt my sheets He has done my office: I know not ift be true; But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety. How much is a 1928 series b red seal five dollar bill worth? Once Othello is gone, Iago enters and joins Cassio on guard. What is the relationship between Commerce and economics? Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemonas help in getting reinstated. So, he believes that he is the best candidate for the lieutenant position. He is willing to believe his innocent wife has been unfaithful to him even though he is, to all intents and purposes, devoted to her. Othello reenters and, now tormented by jealousy, threatens Iago with death unless he provides proof of Desdemonas infidelity.Iago alleges that Cassio one night talked in his sleep about making love to Desdemona and that Cassio once wiped his beard with the lost handkerchief. He continually plays mind games with Bianca by telling her that he loves her, but continues to treat her terribly. Do they have to give members warning before they bar you? Admittedly, Desdemona could have advocated more strongly for herself and simply confessed to Othello that she had lost the handkerchief when it happened. Sex and Sexual Stories in Othello, Iago's Alter Ego: Race as Projection in Othello, That's She That Was Myself: Not-So-Famous Last Words and Some Ends of Othello, The Adaptation of a Shakespearean Genre: Othello and Ford's 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, Theatricality and Textuality: The Example of Othello, Voice Potential: Language and Symbolic Capital in Othello, Act III, Scenes 1-4 Questions and Answers. Moving back to the play: it doesn't occur to anybody that Iago might feel slighted because he doesn't mention it to anybody except Roderigo (Act 1, scene 1). Is 'Othello' by William Shakespeare worth the read? - Quora Iago is taken away to be tortured and killed. Best Answer Copy He got drunk and got into a fight when he was supposed to be on guard. Othello then appoints Iago to the lieutenancy. Something about the way the question is phrased bothers me, so Im going to start this answer with a discussion of why questions (of which there are many here at Literature Stack Exchange). MegaEssays.com, (December 31, 1969). April 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/q/why-does-iago-hate-othello/. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Othello sets out to explore the battlements of the castle, knowing little of the danger that lies within its walls. These themes are central to the plays power, but one of the triumphs of Othello, as the analysis below attempts to demonstrate, is how well Shakespeare weaves different themes and elements together at once. Find out whats on, read our latest stories, and learn how you can get involved. When Othello asks Desdemona where her handkerchief is, she confesses that she has lost it; meanwhile, Cassio gives it to Bianca, his mistress, little realising that the handkerchief is part of Iagos grand plan to implicate him in an imaginary affair. After all, what Othello does is reprehensible (to us today). The only characters whose view of Othello is not distorted by racial stereotyping are Desdemona and Cassio. Cassio retaliates and mortally wounds Roderigo, but is himself stabbed from behind by Iago. At the beginning Othello breaks traditional stereotypes of a black Moor. He dismisses Cassio from his service after the fight with Roderigo and Montano without hearing an explanation. Process of transferring data to a storage medium? Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/q/why-does-iago-hate-othello/. How Othello is relevant to a modern day audience. Iago had a reputation as being 'honest'. You cannot date Cassio unfortunately. Neither character deserves such a tragic ending--that's why it's tragic. Vaughn reveals that Elizabethans were fascinated by Othello's experiences and related his black colour with "negation, dirt, sin and death". Second, Shakespeare doesnt make Iago, the villain, someone whose motives we can understand. When Emilia comes to tell Othello about the violence in the streets, he acknowledges the killing, telling her that Iago had informed him of Desdemonas infidelity. 2022. In the streets of Venice, Iago tells Roderigo of his hatred for Othello, who has given Cassio the lieutenancy that Iago wanted and has made Iago a mere ensign. This issue is vital to Iago. He and Desdemona are joyfully reunited. Emilia is unwittingly responsible for Desdemonas death because she is nave about her husbands actions; she is silent about the handkerchief and lacks courage to prove to Othello that Desdemonas is innocent. Realising he has thrown away the life of an innocent woman he loved dearly, Othello kills himself publicly, Cassio is made governor of Cyprus, and Iago is taken off for punishment. Whatever view one takes, Othello would have been an entirely different play if its title character had not blindly trusted Iago, i.e. (If he had gone into the business, he would have heard that Roderigo had provoked the quarrel, and might have wondered why.) Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. In the dark streets of Cyprus, Roderigo attacks Cassio, who, uninjured, stabs Roderigo. Othello: controversial BUT Is it possible that Cassio and Desdemona Why the name "The Winter's Tale" for Shakespeare's play? Is Othello being deceptive when he says, This only is the witchcraft I have used (Act 1.3.184). We asked our top educators, with years of expertise, to answer some of the most common inquiries from students. Carry on browsing if you're happy with this, or find out how to manage cookies. Thus, he finds numerous reasons to get back at Othello. Log in here. No English translation of Cinthio was available in Shakespeare's lifetime. In his final speech, Othello asks to be remembered as a man who "loved not wisely, but too well" and acknowledges that he "threwa pearl away/ Richer than all his tribe." All Rights Reserved. In MegaEssays.com. Iagos plan seems to work, as Cassio is publicly disgraced. From award-winning theater and music, to poetry and exhibitions, experience the power of the arts with us. Instead, Othello selects a man who has no battle experience: I have already chose my officer. And what was he? While some literary critics question Desdemona's actions and/or claim that she didn't do enough to help her own cause or prove her innocence, I still don't think that her actions justify Othello's murder of her. Cassios relations with Bianca give the reader or viewer a very bad impression of his character. At least he got to choose his own death and die with Desdemona near him. How can I remove a mystery pipe in basement wall and floor? Desdemona pleads to Othello on Cassios behalf. I think it's implicitly part of this question. The fact that Othello was the only black man in a white society put him in a disadvantaged situation. Using Lin Reg parameters without Original Dataset. Othellos fury grows. How is it possible for mantle rock to flow? Before the Venetian Senate, Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching Desdemona. Why didn't it occur to Othello that Iago might be upset about being passed over for the promotion? Othello, consumed with jealousy, smothers Desdemona to death with a pillow, Emilia (Iagos wife and Desdemonas maid) tells Othello that she was the one who found the handkerchief and gave it to her husband; Iago kills her for revealing this, and Othello wounds Iago. How do Othello and Desdemona win each other's affections? With Othello kept out of the way by Iago, Cassio pleads with Emilia to let him speak with Desdemona, which she allows. Over her protests of innocence, he smothers her. Why didn't it occur to Othello that Iago might be upset about being and Act 3, scene 1 ("I never knew / Othello falls into an epileptic seizure. He says that he hates Othello because Othello passed him over for a promotion to lieutenant, choosing Cassio, who he claims is much less qualified, instead of him. Desdemona confirms this, and the couples marriage is approved by the senate. In Harold Goddards fine phrase, he is a moral pyromaniac setting fire to all of reality (this phrase is quoted enthusiastically by Harold Bloom in his Shakespeare: The Invention Of The Human). 1, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Cassio&oldid=1116289163, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 15 October 2022, at 20:43. If we consider Othello as a tragic hero (by Aristotle's standards), we know that he must take responsibility for his actions in some form or another. He tells Iago to kill Cassio, and he publicly strikes Desdemona, accusing her in front of everyone. Can I still have hopes for an offer as a software developer, QGIS does not load LUXEMBOURG tif/tfw file. Again, considering Aristotle's characteristics of a tragic hero, it seems that Othello felt that he deserved to die for what he did to Desdemona (and Cassio). @Randal'Thor: I'd rather that it were another post, because it's a theory-laden question, and it will take some effort to disentangle the theoretical aspects. But Shakespeare does several very interesting, and artistically quite bold, things with this basic plot, and the characters he uses to tell the story. There is no proof for the accusation. Cassio is a ladies man, not a seducer. Othello breaks up the fight and, angry with Cassio, dismisses him from his post as lieutenant. Iagos plan works, and Othello is convinced that there is something going on between Cassio and Desdemona. To what extent can Shakespeare's plays be considered documentaries about imaginary worlds? His first plot is to try to prevent Othellos marriage to Desdemona, the beautiful daughter of Brabantio, by telling Brabantio that Othello and Desdemona have already slept together even though they are not married. When Iago convinces Othello he is a cuckold, he finds this unbearable to cope with. Iago expects to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant, but instead Othello passes him over in favour of Cassio. Shakespeare's Othello contains many themes which are relevant to a contemporary audience in today's society. So Iago, being Iago, sets out to destroy Cassio. guard. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. Latest answer posted February 06, 2021 at 2:05:38 PM. Find teaching resources and opportunities. Why does Othello fire Cassio? - Answers Iago is jealous that Othello has picked Cassio as his lieutenant over him, and Roderigo - who is in love with Desdemona - is angry at news that she and Othello have eloped together. He kisses her and wakes her and once again charges her with infidelity. IvyPanda, 20 Apr. That, and simple disbelief that Iago would engage in so convoluted a plot. Together (though Iago at first remains hidden from sight) they tell Brabantio, Desdemonas father, of her marriage, who is outraged at the news. Iago appears to be a kindhearted person who looks out for others, but in reality is a cold,cunning person who cares about no one . One of our experts with a specialization in Literature has kindly provided an answer to this question. Wiki User 2012-05-25 21:35:54 This answer is: Study guides Julius Caesar 18 cards What did the conspirators. He lures Cassio into a drunken fight, for which Cassio loses his new rank; Cassio, at Iagos urging, then begs Desdemona to intervene. Brilliant Othello Essay Topics & Examples. There is a supposed rivalry between Cassio and the play's villain, Iago. Othello: Questions & Answers | SparkNotes