HL Past Exam Questions


Othello


2008 1. (i) ‘Othello’s foolishness rather than Iago’s cleverness leads to the tragedy of Shakespeare’s Othello.’ Discuss this statement supporting your answer with the aid of suitable reference to the text.


I wholly agree with the statement that ‘Othello’s foolishness rather than Iago’s cleverness leads to the tragedy of Shakespeare’s “Othello”.’ At the heart of this great tragedy is Othello’s flawed humanity. Othello’s open and trusting nature, inability to tolerate doubt, overly passionate temperament and foolish pride conspire to bring about his downfall. Although Iago clearly displays evil ingenuity, he serves only as a catalyst for the tragedy. Ultimately, Othello is responsible for his own tragic downfall. Othello’s naïvety clearly contributes to the play’s tragic conclusion. Othello foolishly places undeserved trust in Iago and refuses to interrogate Iago’s apparent honesty and motivations. He frequently refers to Iago as ‘honest’; this misplaced faith in his ancient informs Othello’s behaviour throughout the play. Othello expects that ‘men should be what they seem’. He unquestioningly believes Iago’s account of the brawl and, in the Temptation Scene, concludes that Iago is ‘of exceeding honesty’. As a result, Othello comes to believe Iago’s suggestion that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. This contributes to Othello’s murderous jealousy and helps to bring about his own tragic destruction. Some may feel that Iago’s sinister cunning is to blame here, as it is Iago who deceives Othello.


However, it is Othello’s foolishness that allows him to be tricked in the first place. Iago clearly identifies Othello’s foolishness as a weakness: ‘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.’


And Iago does certainly exploit Othello’s ‘free and open nature’. However, the blame must be placed on Othello’s shoulders for foolishly trusting Iago. Iago can only kindle Othello’s monstrous jealousy because Othello is so susceptible to Iago’s lies. It is this weakness that contributes to the eventual murder of Desdemona.


Othello also helps to bring about his own tragic downfall by making foolish, rash decisions when confronted by doubt. This is evident after the brawl. Othello fails to properly investigate what occurred and places a disproportionate amount of faith in Iago’s account. This moment illustrates how Othello abandons his composure when faced with uncertainty. Othello asks three times who began the brawl; impatient for an answer and uncertain as to what occurred, Othello loses his temper. Othello himself recognises that he is being led by his passion rather than by cool, judicious reason: ‘My blood begins my safer guides to rule, / And passion, having my best judgement collied, / Assays to lead the way.’ Despite this insight, Othello summarily dismisses Cassio as his lieutenant. Again, Iago could be charged with contributing to the tragedy here as it is he who encourages


Cassio’s drunkenness and employs Roderigo to incite the brawl. However, it is how Othello deals with this event that is of most importance. It is Othello’s foolish rashness rather than Iago’s malevolent ingenuity that results directly in Cassio’s dismissal. Iago certainly influences Othello’s behaviour, but the decisions Othello makes are his own, evolving out of his own weaknesses. In the Temptation Scene the audience again see Othello’s inability to tolerate doubt. As Iago suggests that Desdemona is unfaithful, Othello demands certainty and initially calls for ‘ocular proof’. He warns Iago, ‘be sure thou prove my love a whore!’ However, out of a desperate need for certainty and unbalanced by doubt, Othello foolishly misplaces his trust in Iago. Without properly


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