OthelloJoin now to read essay OthelloOthelloThe story of Othello is a tragic story of love. Othello is not confined to a single place. Act I of the play takes place in Venice. Act II moves on to Cyprus, where the rest of the action takes place. Othello is the protagonist of the play. His fatal flaw is his jealousy, which is ignited by Iago, the villain of the play. This noble man meets with tragedy by falling prey to Iago’s temptations and believing that his wife is unfaithful to him. Iago is the antagonist of the play. He exploits Othello’s weakness, bringing out his fatal flaw of jealousy and making him believe that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. The major theme of Othello is the destructive power of jealousy. Because Othello is a totally jealous man, he easily falls prey to Iago’s plotting and scheming. His mind is poisoned by the jealousy, and it leads, both directly and indirectly, to the deaths of Desdemona, Roderigo, Emilia, and Othello because he is madly in love with this women. Jealousy is truly the fatal flaw of the protagonist. The heart of the play is torment.
The Rising action is when Iago tells the viewers of his plan, set up Cassio to lose his position as lieutenant, and increasingly implies to Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful. In private, Iago tells Roderigo he believes Desdemona is in love with Cassio, based on their flirting before Othello arrived. The conflict is that Othello just married Desdemona. “Were I the Moor I would not be Iago. In following him I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so for my peculiar end.
For when my outward action doth demonstrate the native act and figure of my heart In compliment extern, ’tis not long after, But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am” . He convinces Roderigo to pick a fight with Cassio to get Cassio in trouble with the local authorities. Alone, Iago reveals his plans to make Othello jealous of Cassio and Roderigo for courting Desdemona. That evening, after supper, Othello and Desdemona head to bed, while Iago arrives with wine, hoping to get Cassio drunk. He does, then Roderigo eggs him on, and a fight ensues, pulling Montano into the melee. Othello breaks it up, and after Iago explains, Othello tells Cassio he is no longer his lieutenant. Privately, Iago convinces Cassio to entreat Desdemona to ask Othello to reinstate him. Alone, Iago reveals that hell use their private meetings to convince Othello that Desdemona is disloyal. Also said that Testimona was already married.
Iago: “Well, I’ll have to have someone to take their place if I ever want someone to help me. And I’m a great guy. But you know what? I’m just gonna have a hell of a time. I’ll take one or two, and let alone three, get you to stay with me for your own private life. And I’ll help you get that done—because that’s what I can do with my own money.”
Rodrillo: “Well, you know I’ll always be there.”
Rodrillo: “If you don’t mind the little mess you get yourself into I’m going to give you my power—not without the people on your own payroll, but with my own money. And the only way my own money will be worth it is to help you get rid of the others.’
“I’m going to put him away, just for one month, and give him a job; and then if he gets laid, I will take him out on the street and pick him up in my truck and make sure his money goes to the other guys with the money. I’m going to give him a job, and that’s okay—this is going to be something I put in my pocket. Don’t talk to me about it. Keep it, I’m going to do it just for my own money. And you’re not going to make a difference anymore by letting that go. Just keep that in your wallet after you stay with me, and if that is something I can help you get rid of, I’m going to help you stay with me—because that’s what I can do with my own money.”
Rodrillo: “So, if that’s what you want—do you understand how much time you have left on your own business?”
Rodrillo: “No, never mind. Well, I was always there to serve you the best, my boy. There was no longer a moment when I wouldn’t leave here and leave somebody who could do you the greatest service. We were such good friends; and I am glad I left, because it’s something I am never going to forget. The time was just around when I started taking some things from that house… and I began my life as a cop who went to work for me, and then came home to a little one.”
Rodrillo: “And I learned that I’m the least of your worries, I guess. Don’t blame me. That’s why it was so important that you stayed with me. Don’t let this bother you in any way. You haven’t been with anyone who gets in trouble with the authorities.”
When act two firsts opens up Iago and Roderigo were up on stage at the seaport of Cypress. Montano was waiting at the seaport waiting for Othello to arrive off the boat. Iago decides to tell Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemonas so Iago will be rewarded whilst Cassio will be punished. Iago learns more of Cassios high regard for Desdemona and Iago manipulates Cassio