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... Account for this radical transformation in Othello’s attitude to Desdemona
It is in this key passage (where the whole plot of the play commences) that the tragic change in Othello is brought about. The words and actions of Cassio, Desdemona and Emilia – all of them behaving ‘innocently’ fatally conspire to make Othello, whose mind is prompted by Iago, believe that Desdemona is unfaithful to him. ...
Othello leaves Desdemona with a loving farewell: “Excellent wretch” he sighs “perdition catch my soul / But I do love thee! ... At this remark, Othello interrupts, noting that he could never be jealous of Desdemona’s attention. ... But Othello justifies his claim of having no reason to be jealous by reminding Iago that Desdemona chose him above all others “For she had eyes, and chose me” despite their differences in race. ... Iago is performing the most audacious act by turning Desdemona’s act of love, turning away from her father to be with Othello, as evidence against her. ... We see that the dialogue is gaining momentum of its own, but wonder why, now Iago has the power he originally wanted; he uses Desdemona as part of his individual mind games, continuing to destroy things. ... He lays yet another layer of malice upon Othello, suggesting that he not be too quick to meet Cassio, and knowing full well that Desdemona will continue to champion Cassio, Iago warns Othello to watch for evidence that Desdemona is pressing for Cassio’s reinstatement. ...
When Iago exits, Othello is left alone with the newly sprung idea of Desdemona’s infidelity. ... He calls Desdemona a “haggard” – using Iago’s fondness for animal imagery, the image of an untamed hawk he wants full possession of – he has no trust in her, just as he is a general he has to be in complete control over her. ...
While using more unfamiliar words for him “I had rather been a toad, / And live upon the vapour of a dungeon” he admits that he must have absolute possession of Desdemona “Than keep a corner in the thing I love / For other’s uses” he has already psychologically made the leap in his mind to condemn Desdemona, even without proof “’Tis destiny unshunnable”. Othello is beginning to see Desdemona’s apparent infidelity as fate, as something that cannot be escaped, and he tries to turn the blame from the world to the Gods “If she be false, o then heaven mocks itself.”
The story moves on as Desdemona fatally drops Othello’s precious handkerchief on the floor, to be picked up by Emilia, who inadvertently brings the story line past its fulcrum point, and she decides to give it to her husband Iago who has asked her to steal it “a hundred times”; the handkerchief proves to be the vehicle to drive the tragedy to its inevitable end. ... Without waiting to ask Desdemona herself whether the allegations were true, he assumes the worst. ... He is aware at how fully his plan has riled Othello, and works to move his plan forward to its end in line 391, under the guise of saving Othello’s misery, Iago recounts a fully fictitious story of how Cassio has been tossing and turning in bed and calling out Desdemona’s name, saying they need to hide their love, and true to course, Othello believes these actions must mirror what Cassio is doing while he’s awake.
Approximate Word count = 2788
Approximate Pages = 11.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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