Othello Is a Charracter of Extremes

Othello is a character of extremes. He is no middle range.

Along with other Shakespeare’s tragedies, Othello is one unique great tragedy. Unlike the other tragedies, Othello is set in a private world and focuses on the personal lives and passions of its major characters. The relationships between the characters is another feature of Othello, which is unusual. One of the major figures in the play is Othello, also referred to as the Moor of Venice. Othello is a character of extremes, he is no middle range. His progress is the more stunning because of all the perceived disadvantage of the colour of his skin. This essay will discuss the view of the character of Othello with suitable reference from the play.

Othello is a loving man. He is completely in love with Desdemona. He place his life under great danger by eloping with Desdemona. This exaggerated love for Desdemona is vividly demonstrated in Act 1 scene 3, “I won his daughter…” this suggest that now Desdemona is his and it his responsibility to take care and to love her. This extreme love of Othello for Desdemona makes him vulnerable to manipulation. Othello’s unconditional love is also demonstrated in (act 1 scene 2, p. 17) “but that I love thee gentle Desdemona…” Othello speaks of his extreme love for Desdemona and that his freedom matters not. In (Act 2 scene 1, p. 59 “it is too much of joy: And this, and this…” Othello is happily in love and he contends that there would be no happiness that would overcome the happiness he has. Desdemona is all the happiness he wants.

Othello is also a calm and a proud man. In the beginning of the play Othello is a man who is able to control his emotions and he is a man who is also proud of himself, his nature and his work. In act 1 scene 2, Othello remains calm he is under attack from Desdemona’s father who accuses him of being a thief. He orders his ensign, Iago to put his sword away. Despite being a trusted and a feared soldier in the state of Venice, Othello resort to solving matters in a clam and peaceful way. “Keep up your bright swords…” (Act 1scene 2, p. 19) the character displayed by Othello here is extreme because it a well-known fact that Othello as the General of the Army fears no man but her decides to remain calm.

Another extreme character of Othello is trust and honesty. Othello is a trusting man because he extremely trust the people around him. This view of Othello is in contrast to what Iago says about slaves and masters. (Act 1 scene 1, p. 7), “I follow him to serve my turn upon him…” Othello shows great trust to Iago. He never think that he might betray him. “this fellows of exceeding honesty and knows all quantities…” This view of Othello leads him to being manipulated by Iago by making him believe that his wife is cheating on him with Casio. Othello does not believe that there could be anyone who can betray him since he is the general.