By the end of Shakespeare’s Othello, the audience can see that ultimately nobody is

blameless.

Shakespeare’s Othello explores the destruction of one’s character through their own actions.
Almost all the characters in the play are to be blamed for the fate that befalls them by the end.
Othello faces ongoing marginalisation, a reflection of racist attitudes held in the play’s
context, leading to feelings of racial inferiority which causes his morals to unravel. Iago’s Commented [SA1]: A little clunky in expression. Elevate
quest for power through manipulation eventually leads to his loss of whatever power he held, to an academic register.
and Emilia fails to understand the ramifications of her actions. Although it can be argued that
Othello’s destruction of moral integrity is due to manipulation, Iago would have destroyed Commented [SA2]: Again, a little ‘clunky’. You could say,
himself anyway as like antagonists in all tragedies, and Emilia was restricted by patriarchal ‘Although it can be argued that Othello’s lapse into
murderous jealousy is due to …..
values, in the end it was the character’s own choices and actions that ultimately destroyed
themselves. Commented [SA3]: Argument is bang on. Watertight.

Body 1:

Othello’s feelings of racial inferiority ultimately opened him up to manipulation and allowed Commented [SA4]: Made him vulnerable to manipulation
his morals to deteriorate, leading him to be blamed for his own downfall.

Quotes:

“Haply, for I am black / and I have not those soft parts of conversation / that chamberers
have”
- Othello’s racial inferiority comes from what he believes of himself based on other’s
perceptions
- Society views him as less than his fellow Venetians, and he begins to believe this too
- Fundamentally, this inferiority leads him to believe in his own savagery and thus let
go of his moral integrity

“As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black / As mine own face”
- Comes back to black/white good/evil imagery
- Othello believes that blackness tarnishes good things, and thus, his blackness
tarnishes himself

“It is the cause, it is the cause…. she must die, else she’ll betray more men”

- Othello is conflicted between his love for Desdemona and his rage at her supposed
betrayal
- Despite not wanting to kill her, he justifies his actions by saying her death is moral, as
she would be unfaithful again
- Thus, in the end he chooses his own actions

Critical quotes:
“Othello is a mass of contradictions – in other words, a human being”
- E.A.J Honigmann

o Humans have to be blamed for their own actions, no matter how they were
influenced, ultimately, one decides their own actions and chooses to carry them out
Body 2:

Through Iago’s seemingly amoral character, Shakespeare shows how desire for power, as
well as motiveless actions, lead to one’s destruction and loss of power already held.

Quotes:
“I am not what I am”
- There are many instances where Iago reveals his true character
- Dramatic irony which highlights Iago’s awareness of his lack of moral integrity

“Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to world’s light”
- Iago’s need to bring down Othello is planned
- The imagery of hell/light presents

“From this time forth I never will speak word”

- Shows that once Iago’s language is taken away, so is his power
- Whatever power he held came from his language, and his ability to manipulate, and
thus his desire for more power leads to his destruction

Critical quotes:
“motive-hunting of motiveless malignity”
- Samuel Coleridge

Body 3:

Emilia, out of all the characters in Othello, is the most aware of Iago’s character. However,
by ignoring this and following his orders, she fails to understand the ramifications of her
actions until the play’s end, and thus is to be blamed.

Quotes:

“I’ll have the work ta'en out / And give ’t Iago. What he will do with it / Heaven knows, not
I.”
- Emilia distances herself from her actions
- As his wife, she is aware of his character, but is still willing to help him

“It is a great price for a small vice”

- Despite Iago’s treatment of Emilia, she is still ready to give him more power
- While showing the patriarchal attitudes of the play, it also gives an insight to Emilia’s
character – in the confidence of Desdemona, she is trying to cheer up her the only
other female character in the play
- A moment of female solidarity, as well as an acknowledgement of patriarchal values
in relationships
“My husband!…may his pernicious soul / Rot half a grain a day! He lies to th' heart.”
- Emilia knew all along of her husband’s character and aided him
- She understands the result of her actions too late – she causes her own downfall