HL Past Exam Questions
Othello
in the process destroys himself spiritually and morally. I feel that some may feel compelled to overlook Othello’s foolishness when presented with a villain as malevolent and ingenious as Iago. The audience certainly feels sympathy for Othello so heartbreaking is his loss and eventual sense of guilt. However, Iago’s schemes would have come to nothing had Othello tempered his pride, shown greater composure, displayed a less gullible nature and coped better with doubt. Othello’s final assessment of himself as ‘one that loved not wisely, but too well’ seems to ring true. Blinded by his passion he acted proudly, rashly and foolishly. It is these traits that bring about the tragedy of Othello.
2008 1. (ii) ‘Shakespeare’s play Othello demonstrates the weakness of human judgement.’ Discuss this statement supporting your answer with the aid of suitable reference to the text.
It is the flaws in human nature, and particularly characters’ flawed judgement, that bring about the tragedy of ‘Othello’. Shakespeare shows how an individual’s inability to see others for who they are can have disastrous consequences. This idea is realised through the character of Othello. His misplaced trust in Iago and failure to see Desdemona for the loving wife she is, informs his jealous rage and murderous actions. This notion is echoed in the minor characters of the play: Roderigo, Cassio and Emilia, who also display poor judgement. The only character in ‘Othello’ who has insight into human nature is Iago. However, although he cleverly judges others with ease, his lack of moral judgement contributes in no small measure to the tragedy of ‘Othello’. Othello’s poor judgement leaves him vulnerable. Being sincere and noble, he expects others to be as honest as he is. Iago recognises this trait and successfully exploits it: ‘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.’
The image of Othello being led like an ass illustrates Othello’s foolishness. His ‘free and open
nature’ means that he is easily duped by Iago. Othello comes to believe Iago’s lie that Cassio and Desdemona are lovers. This is only possible because Othello misplaces his trust in Iago, calling him ‘honest Iago’ throughout the drama. Othello’s poor judgement means that he fails to question Iago’s motives. On the night of Othello and Desdemona’s wedding celebration, Othello relies heavily on Iago’s account of the brawl. He foolishly considers Iago as filled with ‘honesty and love’. Othello never recognises that Iago has the most to gain from Cassio’s demotion as he becomes Othello’s new lieutenant. Most significantly, Othello fails to recognise Iago’s malevolence in the Temptation Scene. Although Othello initially demands ‘ocular proof’ of Desdemona’s infidelity, he overlooks this and comes to believe Iago’s lies based on the flimsiest of evidence. Iago convinces Othello of Desdemona’s supposed guilt by using emotive sexual imagery: ‘Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on? Behold her topped… Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys, As salt as wolves in pride’
This wounds Othello’s pride and drives him into a violent rage: ‘I’ll tear her all to pieces!’
Here we see how Othello allows his passion to override judgement. Othello himself pointed to this flaw earlier in the play: ‘My blood begins my safer guides to rule, / And passion, having my best judgement collied, / Assays to lead the way.’ It is readily apparent that Othello’s inability to see Iago
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