Themes
Othello
in reality she is a loyal and loving wife. Deception is a central element of Othello, but the play also examines the idea of self-deception.
Othello’s murder of Desdemona is born purely of his need for revenge. Othello signals this during his furious outbursts: ‘Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow hell!’ (Act 3, Sc 3). However, in the final scene, as Othello prepares to murder Desdemona, he deceives himself into thinking that he is a minister of justice rather than a jealous husband. This is reflected through Othello’s use of legalistic language: ‘crime’, ‘perjury’, ‘O perjured woman’ (Act 5, Sc 2). Othello fools himself into thinking that he has a moral obligation to kill Desdemona: ‘she must die, else she’ll betray more men’ and identifies himself with justice: ‘O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade / Justice to break her sword’
(Act 5, Sc 2). Othello clearly needs to restore his pride in himself as a dutiful, righteous
figure. So convinced is Othello of Desdemona’s guilt, that he deceives himself by disguising his murderous thirst for revenge beneath a mask of justice. Othello explores the significance of social appearances by pointing to the importance of
reputation. The importance of social appearance is pithily expressed by Cassio after he is dismissed for drunken brawling. His immediate reaction is to lament his loss of face and public humiliation: ‘Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial’ (Act 2, Sc 3). Cassio sees reputation as a defining element of a civilised man, without which ‘what remains is bestial’. Iago also sees the value of reputation: ‘Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash: ’tis something, nothing; ’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands. But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed’ (Act 3, Sc 3).
His slanderous misrepresentation of Desdemona and Cassio is therefore a serious act. The character of Othello also signals the power of social appearance. Othello’s reputation
ensures him the respect of many in Venetian society. When faced with Brabantio’s accusation of witchcraft, Othello relies on his reputation: ‘My services which I have done the Signiory / Shall out- tongue his complaints’ (Act 1, Sc 2). And throughout the play his reputation precedes him: Montano welcomes him as a ‘worthy governor’ (Act 2, Sc 1) and it is his reputation that secures Othello the role of leading the defence against the invading Turks. Similarly, it is Othello’s appearance as a romantic, heroic figure that originally won Desdemona’s heart. He explains, ‘She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them’ (Act 1, Sc 3). Othello shows how vital reputation is in society. However, Othello places too much value on his reputation as a soldier and heroic figure. As
he comes to believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful, Othello laments the damage that this will do to his reputation as a military leader: ‘O now, for ever
Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content! Farewell the plumed troops, and the big wars, That make ambition virtue! – O, farewell! Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp and circumstanceof glorious war!’ (Act 3, Sc 3).
201
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224
