Othello is the play’s central character and hero. He is a Moor and general of the armies in Venice. Othello takes place in Venice and Cyprus. Iago is Othello’s ancient flagbearer and the villain of the play. Cassio is a young lieutenant and inexperienced soldier. Cassio’s high position is disliked by Iago. Desdemona is the daughter of Venetian senator Brabantio and Othello’s wife. Emelia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona's attendant. Othello and Desdemona get married and try to build a life together, but malicious Iago sabotages their marriage. Iago hates Othello because Othello passed him over for a promotion to lieutenant and chose Cassio. Iago suspects that his wife Emelia cheated on him with Othello. In this essay, I will discuss how Othello shows betrayal. Iago betrays Cassio and Othello because he feels they have betrayed him.
Betrayal is shown in Othello through the character Iago. Iago betrays other characters because he is jealous of Cassio and Othello. He manipulates Othello and the other characters by provoking their jealousy towards one another. Iago first betrays Roderigo, who is a jealous suitor of Desdemona. Iago betrays Roderigo by using him to stir up Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, into condemning Othello to the Duke of Venice and his council of senators. Iago is hoping to have Othello relieved of his position as general, but Iago’s plan fails. Iago’s betrayal of Cassio is the direct result of Iago’s hatred and envy towards Cassio because Cassio was chosen as a lieutenant. Iago instigates Othello’s jealousy towards Cassio by hinting to Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him with Cassio. This serves Iago’s dual purpose of betraying Othello by causing jealousy toward Cassio and betraying Cassio by making him the target of Othello’s jealousy. Othello asks, “How shall I murder him, Iago?” (Othello 4.1.161) after hearing Iago’s conversation with Cassio about Bianca. Othello believes Desdemona is the topic of the conversation between Iago and Cassio. Iago betrays Othello and Cassio because he is hurt that Othello promoted Cassio. Iago thinks Othello and Cassio have slept with his wife, Emilia. In the scenario described, Iago tries to convince Othello to kill Cassio and create jealousy to get revenge.
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Betrayal in the play Othello influences many of the play’s characters. Othello and Roderigo both go through a crippling betrayal at the hands of sinister Iago. Iago betrays Othello by trying to ruin his relationship with Desdemona through a series of deceitful acts designed to get revenge on Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant. Iago betrays his friend Roderigo by using his deep yearning for Desdemona against him. Iago uses Roderigo’s stubbornness to control and ultimately betray him.
Betrayal in Othello is frequently revealed through the unreasonable behavior and actions of the characters. Iago intends to work up Othello enough until he does something unforgivable, which he means when referring to, “a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure.” (Othello 2.1.289-290). Iago is also betrayed by his wife, Emelia, who exposes Iago’s plots to Othello. For her betrayal Iago kills her. Othello betrays Desdemona by not putting enough trust in her faithfulness and ends up killing her based on false accusations. Othello grows these ideas in his mind based on Iago’s consciously created hints and situations. Even though Cassio was a good officer by Othello, after the suspicion Iago placed in Othello’s head, Othello completely loses his belief in Cassio. Othello betrays Cassio without realizing it is a betrayal. From the beginning of the play until the end, Iago betrays, tricks, and cheats Othello into believing Iago is the only loyal person around him and everyone he trusts mocks him behind his back.
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Betrayal in ‘Othello’: Critical Essay.
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