Tragedy. Whether fictional or real, it still hurts. In William Shakespeare's Othello, tragedy might be an understatement. Massacre is more like it. There were many characters who died *spoiler alert* including Othello, Desdemona, Emilia, and Roderigo. But who was to blame for this unfortunate turn of events? This question has been asked ever since the play originally came out. Many say that the obvious person to blame is Iago considering he was the one who lied to everyone and planned the deaths of many people. I, however, believe that Othello is to blame. Not only was he fast to trust a man he barely knew, but he took his word as if it were law and did not stop to ask for actual proof that his wife was cheating on him. If he had simply taken the time to ask questions and do his own research, the tragic end of the play could have been avoided.
The first question that I had when reading this play was how long had Othello known Iago. Considering Iago’s lower rank, I would think that Othello did not pal around with him very often. This means that they must have just started talking when the story began. This led me to ask another question—why did Othello listen to him?! I mean really, who believes someone they barely know when they come up and tell them that their wife was cheating on them? I know I sure as heck wouldn’t. It is because of Othello that the events of the play were set into motion. If Othello hadn’t listened to Iago, none of the events in the play would have happened!
I also wondered why Othello believed Iago's ridiculous claims. If someone came up to me (albeit in 20 years or so) and told me that my husband was cheating on me, I wouldn't believe them. Sure, I would think about it a little bit and might ask my husband about the accusation, but I sure as heck wouldn't talk about it with the person who accused him in the first place; it is none of their business anyway!
Even if Othello did believe what Iago told him, he should have done his own investigation. I'm not saying he should have gone full Sherlock Holmes or anything, but he could have at least listened in on some conversations between his wife and Cassio. This may have showed him that nothing was going on between them and he wouldn't have gone completely nuts with jealousy. I know that people say jealousy is something we cannot control, but how can you be jealous over something that isn't even real?
Whether or not you believe Othello is the one to blame for the tragic outcome of Othello, you must admit that he at least had a part in the tragedy. He was the person who brought up the idea of killing Cassio and Desdemona and he employed Iago to actually kill Cassio. He also KILLED DESDEMONA! That has to count for something right? But enough of what I think, I want you to tell me who you think is to blame.
Whether or not you believe Othello is the one to blame for the tragic outcome of Othello, you must admit that he at least had a part in the tragedy. He was the person who brought up the idea of killing Cassio and Desdemona and he employed Iago to actually kill Cassio. He also KILLED DESDEMONA! That has to count for something right? But enough of what I think, I want you to tell me who you think is to blame.
The first question that I had when reading this play was how long had Othello known Iago. Considering Iago’s lower rank, I would think that Othello did not pal around with him very often. This means that they must have just started talking when the story began. This led me to ask another question—why did Othello listen to him?! I mean really, who believes someone they barely know when they come up and tell them that their wife was cheating on them? I know I sure as heck wouldn’t. It is because of Othello that the events of the play were set into motion. If Othello hadn’t listened to Iago, none of the events in the play would have happened!
I also wondered why Othello believed Iago's ridiculous claims. If someone came up to me (albeit in 20 years or so) and told me that my husband was cheating on me, I wouldn't believe them. Sure, I would think about it a little bit and might ask my husband about the accusation, but I sure as heck wouldn't talk about it with the person who accused him in the first place; it is none of their business anyway!
Even if Othello did believe what Iago told him, he should have done his own investigation. I'm not saying he should have gone full Sherlock Holmes or anything, but he could have at least listened in on some conversations between his wife and Cassio. This may have showed him that nothing was going on between them and he wouldn't have gone completely nuts with jealousy. I know that people say jealousy is something we cannot control, but how can you be jealous over something that isn't even real?
Whether or not you believe Othello is the one to blame for the tragic outcome of Othello, you must admit that he at least had a part in the tragedy. He was the person who brought up the idea of killing Cassio and Desdemona and he employed Iago to actually kill Cassio. He also KILLED DESDEMONA! That has to count for something right? But enough of what I think, I want you to tell me who you think is to blame.
Whether or not you believe Othello is the one to blame for the tragic outcome of Othello, you must admit that he at least had a part in the tragedy. He was the person who brought up the idea of killing Cassio and Desdemona and he employed Iago to actually kill Cassio. He also KILLED DESDEMONA! That has to count for something right? But enough of what I think, I want you to tell me who you think is to blame.
Leave a comment and tell me who you think is to blame and why.