Othello

Othello

Change by definition is to make or become different. 'Othello' is a story of great transformations. The playwright William Shakespeare demonstrates to us in 'Othello' that change can lead to doubt and uncertainty. The main character of the play Othello goes through the most dramatic changes in the play. He is manipulated by others to alter his trust, but through the course of the play actually changes mentally as well. Iago, the mastermind behind the plot against Othello varies his plan to ruin Othello many times, and his attitude to each character is altered constantly depending on what he needs and wants from them.

Othello's trust changes many times throughout the course of the play. He plays the protagonist of 'Othello' and his eyes are blurred by what Iago, the antagonist, tells him to be true. He is quickly and easily led down a path of uncertainty and evil. Othello starts out the play giving complete and open trust to his lieutenant Michael Cassio. "Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight." 2.3 1 However, following Iago's plan of revenge on Othello, Cassio gets into a fight, and is later in the play accused by Iago of sleeping with Othello's beloved wife Desdemona. "Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio. Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure."3.3 211-212.These incidents cause Othello to change his trust from Cassio over to Iago. This is very clearly stated by Othello when after Iago has just accused Desdemona of cheating with Cassio he says, "I am bound to thee forever."3.3 228 William Shakespeare uses these changes of trust throughout the play to carry on as well as further develop the plot. Shakespeare gives 'Othello' excitement and suspense by changing the characters attitudes and beliefs.

Othello also goes through mental changes as his mind is being poisoned by Iago. An example of this comes from the text as Iago explains his plan to ruin Othello to us in a soliloquy, "After some time, to abuse Othello's ear that he is too familiar with his wife. He hath a person and a smooth dispose to be suspected, framed to make women false. The Moor is of free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are." 1.3 396-403 Iago plans to create doubt in Othello's mind about the faithfulness of his wife. This change in Othello proves to be too great and will lead the character to a total breakdown. In the start of the play Othello is shown to us as a strong, valiant warrior, who is full of love and trust. "Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor."1.3 49, "Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you against the general enemy Ottoman." 1.3 50-51 However by the end of the play we see him as a confused, desperate, angry and revengeful man. Even other people's opinions of Othello are changed by his actions. In this quote Lodovico is speaking directly after Othello has hit Desdemona, "Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue the shot of accident nor dart of chance