OTHELLO ESSAY: Honour and Integrity will not prevail

Question 1

At the start of the play, Othello is a figure of admiration, respected as a courageous general and a man of integrity. Yet, Iago’s insidious schemes gradually dismantle this perception.

Reputation

Answer 1

Othello is introduced with respect and admiration in Venice when the Duke refers to him as “Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you.”

As Iago observes, “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition”

Othello’s honourable reputation is destroyed. Instead of being remembered as “valiant Othello,” he is remembered as a murderer of his innocent wife. “Look on the tragic loading of this bed. This is thy work.”

Question 2

His marriage, once based on honesty, becomes corrupted by jealousy.

Marriage

Answer 2

Marriage was once honest as Desdemona describes, “I saw Othello’s visage in his mind, And to his honors and his valiant parts.”

Iago’s evil intention: “Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor, At least into a jealousy so strong, That judgment cannot cure.” Iago describes jealousy as “the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”

Jealousy is a force so powerful that it can undermine the noblest of natures.

Question 3

Othello’s moral judgment, once a defining feature of his character, is twisted into justification for murder.

Morality

Answer 3

He convinces himself that killing Desdemona is an act of justice: “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men”

His sense of justice becomes perverted. “An honorable murderer, if you will, For naught I did in hate, but all in honor.” Othello justifies murder as “justice,” but in reality it is a dishonourable act of violence.