Shakespeare S Othello Is a Play Which Sees the Eponymous Hero Change Significantly Through

“Othello” by Willaim Shakespeare is a play in which the main character changes throughout the drama. In this play the audience sees the change of Othello occur when he places his trust in the devious Iago. Iago is able to control Othello and destroy not only his own character but also the characters of others including the one that he loves, Desdemona. It is through Shakespeare’s skilful use of characterization,word choice and setting the audience can see the change in Othello.

Firstly, the way Othello’s character is portrayed through characterisation is a vital part in keeping the change consistent and credible with the rest of the play. The initial impression the audience is given of Othello is that of a level headed, rational and noble man as seen from his decision to defuse the situation with Brabantio with reason rather than violence: “Tis better as it is” In these opening scenes, it is also evident that he has a very strong, true love for Desdemona. However, this intense love suggests emotional instability, which is reinforced by his inexperience in relationships and the conflict between his private and public life:

“Little of this great world can I speak
More than pertains to feats of broil and battle”.

The insecurities this conflict and inexperience brings are part of the reason for his change, thus the change is made more credible as these insecurities run through the play.

His insecurities about his racial difference also cause his downfall, as they create a sense of otherness and inadequacy in him. These insecurities are weaknesses in Othello’s character which he plays upon to bring about his downfall. The subtlety with which Iago suggests Desdemona’s disloyalty plants doubt in Othello’s mind whilst not jeopardising Othello’s trust in him:

“I perchance am vicious in my guess”

This is ironic as the word “perchance” does not serve to infer liability, but serves to convince. This subtle way of preying on Othello’s weaknesses increases Iago’s influence over Othello and brings about Othello’s character change in a very realistic way.

Furthermore, Shakespeare convinces the audience the change is plausible and consistent with other aspects is through the word choice. The way Othello’s language becomes so similar to Iago’s emphasises the influence he has over Othello. This can be seen when Othello exclaims, “O monstrous, monstrous”, a direct link back to Iago’s description of the “monstrous birth” of his plan. The bestial imagery used here is typical of Iago, so when it is seen in Othello’s speech, it shows how much he has changed in a subtle yet plausible and consistent way. When Othello strikes Desdemona in public and cries out that “chaos is come again” if she proves to be unfaithful, the audience sees the conflict between his private and professional life is becoming uncontrollable as Othello cannot separate the two. This consistency is reinforced by the fact that his jealousy – “the green eyed monster” – is a direct result of his love, a consistent if tragically ironic aspect throughout the play. As Iago puts it, Othello is “eaten up by passion”. This love can still be see even when he murders her in the final scene. The conflict with his conscience makes this murder plausible, showing his intense love:

“Yet I’ll not shed her blood
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow
And as smooth as monumental alabaster”

The connotation of “alabaster” with tombs convinces the audience that Othello is set on murder. Yet after killing her, he shows great remorse, a mark of the return to the tragic new role. “Affrighted globe” show this sorrow and remorse. When he kills himself, this would be seen as a noble thing to do, thus indicating a credible and consistent return to the nobility displayed in the opening scenes.

Finally, the change in Othello is made more credible and consistent by the change in setting. When he is in Venice, he is calm, rational and noble. The respect he has amongst Venetian society would have a calming influence and keep his insecurities at bay. He is clearly well thought of as seen in the words of the Senators:

“Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you”

However, the change occurs when he comes to Cyprus. The political turmoil eventually reflects the emotional turmoil, which makes the change seem all the more plausible. In my opinion, the claustrophobic nature of the camp in Cyprus exacerbates Othello and his insecurities, whilst also putting Iago in a better position to play each character off against one another. Yet again the calming influence of Venice can be seen as Othello returns to the tragic hero. The arrival of the Venetian Senate is symbolic of the return to Venetian soil and thus Othello returns to the character he was. The way the setting reflects the changes in Othello’s character truly makes the change more credible and consistent.

In conclusion, “Othello” by Willaim Shakespeare is a play in which the main character changes throughout the drama. By looking at the stages of changes in Othello’s character with the changes in setting, Shakespeare effectively convinces the audience that the change is both credible and consistent with many other aspects of the drama. Also, by showing how Othello’s insecurities are preyed upon by Iago, I think Shakespeare shows how easily a person can be destroyed by their inherent feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. It is through themes like this that Shakespearian plays show a remarkable degree of relevance to modern day society, as well as Elizabethan society.