how he changes

Choose a play in which one of the major characters changes significantly. Outline the nature of the change and go on to discuss to what extent the dramatist convinces you that the change is credible and consistent with other aspects of the drama. In your answer you must refer closely tot he text and at least two of; mood, plot, theme, characterisation, or any other appropriate features.

“Othello written by William Shakespeare is a tragedy in which a character changes significantly. As we progress through the play we understand that the protagonist is changed, however we discover that it is due to the manipulation of the plays machiavael, Iago.

At the beginning of the play Othello is portrayed as a trusting and well mannered man. Othello speaks well of his wife, Desdemona, that he loves her greatly and respects her “ I love thee gentil Desdemona” Othello also proves to the audience that they have a secure and faithful relationship as people believe Othello used black magic to make Desdemona love him “ Send for the lady to the sagittary” Othello sends fro Desdemona. Othello states that is she fails to back him up he is willing to give his own life “Even fall upon my life.” Desdemona later arrives and just as Othello expected, she backed him : “My life and education both do learn me/ how to respect you. You are lord of my duty;/ I am hithero your daughter. But here's my husband.” this conveys not only her love for Othello but also the strength and freewill she has.

Throughout the play Othello is manipulated by the Machiavellian villain, Iago. Iago is cruel, two-faced, practised liar and he disguises his true identity. Iago has everyone fooled, that he is honest and trustworthy “honest Iago” however he is anything but honest, he lies through his teeth. Iago is very important in the plot of the play as he isn't just in it, he created it “ with as little as a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as/ Cassio” Iago is going to trap Cassio as Cassio flirts with Desdemona behind Othellos back- therefore his plan is to make Othello jealous.

Shakespeare uses the theme of jealousy and love throughout “Othello”. Iago portrays his jealousy throughout the play, he is jealous of Cassio as he got the promotion from Othello although he is also jealous of Othello. Therefore he attempts to destroy them “twixt my sheets/ He's done my office” This shows he thinks Othello had an affair with Iagos wife Amelia. Iago plans his revenge, there is going to be a doubly trouble “In double knavery” his plan will be so bad and evil “I have't it, it engender'd. Hell and night/ must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light” He has conceived his plan, it is so great and evil that he must show it to everyone. Shakespeare uses this metaphor effectively “monstrous birth” helps the audience understand how evil and twisted his plan is.

As we approach the end of the play we see that Iago is getting his way; the plan is working on Othello; he believes Cassio is sleeping with his wife, Desdemona “My boat sails freely both wind and stream” This shows the audience that his plan is moving very smoothly, nothing can stop him now.

Othello was so in love with Desdemona that finding this out was too much, he was broken, feelings put of control “O, the world hath not a sweeter creature.” Othello still loves her very much however cannot believe he has been cuckolded therefore he will kill her.
The audience can now see a significant change in Othello. In the beginning, he was loyal , trusting and would never hurt anybody; his language was so beautiful and calm, but he now wishes death upon Desdemona and he does in fact kill her; he strangles her in their bed. Immediately after her death Othello realises what he has done “O!O!O!” He is heartbroken and so he kills himself to be with her as she was so innocent “I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee no way but this,/ killing myself to die upon a kiss”, he dies. Othello believes that there is no other punishment other than for him to take his own life.

Shakespeare created a fabulous play which enhances the theme of love and jealousy throughout the plot. I think he does this very effectively and would strongly recommend this play to others as it shows how quickly someone can change and what it takes for someone to change.