"Othello"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses William Shakespeare's play, "Othello." The paper presents a closer look at the fall and redemption of Othello. The paper describes the protagonist, Othello, as a classical tragic hero, fundamentally good and noble in nature but with a fatal flaw which leads to his ultimate demise. The paper provides a scene-by-scene overview of the play, documenting the change in Othello's character.

From the Paper:

"Othello's descent from grace begins in Act 3, Scene 3 when he asks "Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?" and Iago's reply that "Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it,/ That he would steal away so guilty-like" spawns the seed of doubt in Othello's mind and opens the floodgates for Iago's skillful manipulation of fragile human insecurities. Othello falls easily into Iago's psychological mind games and the insinuations of adultery, cuckoldry and hypocrisy, drive his self-doubt and jealousy. By himself, Othello laments that Desdemona no longer loves him because he is too old, black, and has not the manners of a courtier, all of his hidden insecurities suddenly rearing their ugly heads to manifest their effects on his relationship with his wife. When Desdemona returns, unaware of the devastating change occurring in her husband and unable to grasp the invisible horns causing "pain upon" his "forehead", it is already too late to save Othello from his inner demons (III.iii). "Your napkin is too little" Othello chides to Desdemona, carelessly brushing away the handkerchief symbolic of their love and her innocence; his rejection of his wife's offering of physical solace is an emphatic rejection of Desdemona, her purity and their love (III.iii). "

More papers on "Othello":

• Analytical Essay # 144824 : "Racism as a Theme in "Othello"
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• Analytical Essay # 88465 : "Oedipus and Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 33531 : "Othello As A Tragic Hero"

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