Essay/Term paper: Othello: act 5 analysis

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Othello

Othello: Act 5 Analysis


Iago's intelligence causes the self destruction of Othello. He appears
to be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by the way he acts and
handles some situations. Iago is set to plan revenge on Othello for not making
him lieutenant. He gains the trust of Othello by telling lies to him, and
these lies cause the destruction of Othello.
Othello should have investigated on some of the outrageous things Iago
has told him. Iago is simply just trying to gain Othello's trust. This is
shown when Iago talks about killing Roderigo because he was saying bad things
about Othello. "Nine or ten times I had thought t' have yerked him here under
the ribs." (1:2, 4-6). The same thing happens again, this time about Cassio.
"With her - on her - what you will." (4:1, 42). Iago tells Othello about
Cassio sleeping with Desdemona. This appears to be Iago's smartest move
because this causes the death of Desdemona and Cassio. This part also appears
important to Iago because he is finally made lieutenant.
Othello changes dramatically when he hears all these lies from Iago.
He is now less patient. He hurries through many decisions to be made. Such as
the one to kill his wife. He also jumps to conclusions too quickly. This is
shown when Iago and Bianca are talking about Cassio and Othello misinterprets
them talking about Desdemona. "Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned
tonight, for she shall not live." (4:1, 200-201. Othello is planning
Desdemona's death. He appears to be very stressed out, by the way he acts and
talks. He tries to think that everything is all right but based on what he
hears from Iago, it really isn't.
Iago's many plans to destroy Othello and others work well. The
destruction of Othello was mainly caused by himself because he believed all the
stories told by Iago. This can show how the power of trickery can work on
almost anything.