Othello - Change of Characters
Othello - Change of CharactersOthello's character during the play is first shown as a hero of war and a man of great pride and courage. The other main
characters in the play all form their own opinions of him and as the
play continues, his character begins to deteriorate and become less
noble. Chronologically through the play Othello's character changes
from a flawless military leader, to become a murderer. Also as the
play progresses, the other characters in the play change their
opinions of Othello which causes the plot to happen the way it did.
Throughout the first act of the play, Othello was shown as
many different characters depending on who was speaking. Iago
complains of Othello's pride and "bombast circumstance" and is angered
by the appointment of Cassio, and educated military theoretician of
Florence to lieutenant, instead of himself. Although he knows Othello
is a proud man, his open and trusting nature in the beginning of the
play will be eroded by the conclusion of the plot. As Iago is
speaking to Brabantio about Othello, he uses the term "white ewe" to
represent Desdemona, and "black ram" when referring to Othello. By
using these terms, it shows that he is trying to give a bad impression
of Othello when he is speaking to the royal family in Venice, because
Othello is a Moor or a Negro. Iago shows his black hatred for the
Moor, and his jealousy of Cassio in his first soliloquy and also
reveals his evil intentions. As the act continues and Othello is
being searched for by a group of people, Iago attempts to incite
Othello into anger against Brabantio, but Othello does not take the
bait. He feels that he (Brabantio) may do his worst because Othello
is assured that his military services to the government will outweigh
Brabantio's complaints of him marrying Desdemona. These answers to
Iago's persistence show that he is still a character of calmness and
dignity, and he still has the self-assurance suitable to command
armies of men.
When Othello is found by Cassio, he seems to be relieved
because he does not like personal conflict, which would have occurred
if Brabantio had found him instead. After he is found, Othello is
taken to Brabantio where he is interrogated on how he possessed
Desdemona enough in order to make her run off with him. Brabantio
damns Othello and calls him an enchanter, saying that the "tender,
fair, and happy" Desdemona was too shy of marriage, which is why she
shunned all of the suitors sent to her. This entire scene helps to
establish Othello as an alert and composed leader. Later in this act,
Othello offers to explain how he won Desdemona. He chooses not to
contradict or deny...
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