Introduction
The tragedy of love in “Othello” is determined by the worldview and morality of Renaissance society. The plot conflicts of the work, the characters, and their characters were dictated by the historical reality with its contradictions and light and dark sides. Two types of people and worldviews were clashed in a complex, irreconcilable conflict.
What was heroic and noble in this era is embodied in the images of Othello and Desdemona, and dark forces are reflected in the hero Iago, whose influence caused the downfall of Othello. Iago’s manipulative nature causes Othello’s downfall, the belief that all people are traitors and harlots, and his lie against Desdemona; if he had not been so weak-minded and gullible, he would not have succumbed to Iago’s behavior.
Iago as the Character Responsible for Othello’s Downfall
Manipulation
Iago is the leading cause of Othello’s downfall because of his manipulative nature. He manipulates and deceives six key characters, Roderigo, Brabantio, Desdemona, Emilia, Cassio, and Othello, and contributes most to Othello’s disrepute. Iago exploits Roderigo’s idiocy, which is the key to starting his campaign against Othello. Othello’s love for Desdemona is not just an ordinary love passion. Desdemona contains all the traits of love that Othello lived by, and this woman’s love becomes the embodiment of his ideal of life, affirmation of faith in people, justice, and reasonableness of the world.
However, Iago destroys the happiness of noble and trusting people and leads them to death. Because of his worldview, this man embodies the dark, reverse side of the Renaissance. He is considered intelligent, alive, and active, but he defines all behavior as not creative. The secret conspiracies behind Othello’s back are the destructive principle that Iago promotes. It is characterized by predatory and individualism, which are features of the psychology that were generated by the activities of the bourgeoisie of the new era.
Vicious Understanding of Human Nature
The second reason Iago is responsible for Othello’s downfall is his attitude toward people, which is determined by his belief in their treachery and depravity. In his understanding, the main motives of human behavior are selfishness, sober calculation, and immorality. Iago hates Othello and Desdemona for denying his predatory world their whole lives. What hates him in Othello is his human type, the law by which Othello was created. Iago cannot accept Othello as a hero, a high soul, and cannot allow happiness and luck for Othello.
Iago’s goal is not just to eliminate or destroy Othello – he seeks to humiliate him and reduce him to “subhuman.” That is why he aimed his blow at the soul of Othello – the love of Desdemona. Gradually, cold-bloodedly, he weaves his intrigue and poisons Othello’s soul with suspicion and jealousy, playing on his gullibility. It is depicted in the following dialogue with Rodrigo about Othello, “Sir, he’s rash and very sudden in choler and haply may strike at you” (Shakespeare, 1604, p.79). In this way, the uglier the fall and disruption of Othello’s inner harmony take, the more Iago rejoices and enjoys.
Defamation of Desdemona
The third reason why Iago is to blame for Othello’s downfall is that it was Iago who convinced Othello to lie against Desdemona. When Othello surrenders and believes Iago’s persuasion, he loses faith in the girl’s loyalty, and life loses meaning. Desdemona now became for him the embodiment of infidelity, dishonesty, and everything hostile to him in the world, and he killed her. However, in this scene of death, her innocence is revealed, and Othello realizes who feels Othello’s eternal torment, remorse, and evil.
After everything that happened, Othello cannot live, and he stabs himself. Still, he dies with renewed faith in Desdemona, in people’s purity and nobility, and a renewed sense of unity with the world. Due to such a change in personality and constant fluctuation of opinions, Othello is not to blame for his downfall, as he always had a noble soul.
Counterarguments
Iago’s guilt in Othello’s downfall is not fully proven because if Othello had not been so flabby and naive, he would not have succumbed to Iago’s deception. It is impossible to determine the reason for Iago’s hatred of Othello, and it is more likely envy. However, when Othello directly asks Iago what made him do this, he is silent, not because he wants to hide something but because he has already confessed to his crimes.
Iago refuses to reveal his hatred, mainly because Othello is a Moor. This irrational but valid reason that supports Iago’s maniacal hostility, hidden under hastily invented explanations, repeatedly breaks through to the surface in his behavior and speech. Possible rational explanations are ridiculously out of proportion to the scale of this hatred.
The inventive Iago cannot rationally explain his behavior, but it is difficult to agree with the opinion that Iago’s hatred was unfounded. From the tragedy’s first scene, it becomes clear that Iago’s behavior is always clearly motivated. However, it is a fact that Othello could have stood up to Iago if he had been more courageous and less trusting. Therefore, entirely blaming Iago for Othello’s downfall is inappropriate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Othello’s downfall occurred because of Iago’s involvement. Iago was manipulative and believed that all people were traitors and harlots. He constantly lies to others that Desdemona is not loyal to Othello. Nevertheless, Othello is regarded as a nobleman; he has a weak-minded soul and cannot resist Iago’s behavior to prevent his fall. The reason for Iago’s hatred of Othello has yet to be fully established. It is assumed that this is because Othello was a Moor or was more successful than Iago, but Iago himself never directly explains the real reason, trying to hide it.
Reference
Shakespeare, W. (1604). The tragedy of Othello the moor of Venice. Folger Shakespeare Library. Web.