Othello: Blinded by His Trusting Nature

G. Jolly
Blinded by his trusting nature
Character chosen: Othello

Othello is undoubtedly the main character in the play. Othello is probably what Shakespeare wanted to be. He is a very proud man, cunning, intelligent and too trusting which, ultimately ends up being one of his best traits as well as his biggest flaw. He holds himself in at least as much esteem as other people do. He is first seen in the film with Desdemona, and is quickly sought after to give a very fast, very good account of his actions in a situation where the fastest and easiest way out would be a big challenge. However he negotiates his way out of a seeming death sentence without any bloodshed and ends up walking away married, proving against the odds that he is a man of integrity and honor. His use of exotic, almost flowery language sets him apart from the rest of the cast as a foreigner, but not in any way a bad sense.

He is vulnerable to Iago’s manipulation because of his overly trusting nature, his pride, and from that, his jealousy. He also believes in the end that his trusting nature was a bad thing, and he begins to suspect Desdemona is up to no good. He is ultimately unraveled by his own pride. This is a man who was at the top of the world, and has just hit rock bottom. Not many people have been in that position. As such, empathizing is not really possible, but it is quite easy to sympathize with him. He has lost everything.

A distinct change from the “in love”, “smitten” Othello at the beginning of the play, to the distrusting and suspicious Othello towards the end of the play is evident. For instance towards the beginning of the play he initially doubts Iago’s manipulation, and does not believe him when he is informed of Desdemona’s seeming betrayal. In Act III Scene III Othello initially does not believe Iago when he tells him of what act Desdemona has committed. But through constantly hearing such lies from Iago of Desdemona’s betrayal, he gradually begins to distrust his wife. He admits towards the end of the play that he loved “not wisely, but too well”, thus showing he had lost his way through loving Desdemona wholeheartedly.

Othello’s downfall is inevitable, from about half way through the play, as his trust in Iago gradually grows stronger and stronger. At this point, the audience can tell that Othello will kill Desdemona and that such actions will bring about his ultimate downfall. His tragic flaw being his ability to trust, in any other situation would be a good thing, but combined with Iago's betrayal it ends up costing Desdemona her life.

In the monologue by Othello in act V scene II, he somewhat explains his view on the topic. (Pause)

“tis pitiful. But yet Iago knows
That she with cassio hath act of shame
A thousand times committed. Cassio confess’d it;
And she did gratify his amorous works
With that recognizance and pledge of love
Which I first gave her. I saw it in his hand;
It was a handkerchief, an antique token
My father gave my mother.”

Understandably, Othello was furious at hearing about the act that Desdemona supposedly committed and then seeing his wedding gift that he gave to her, in Cassio’s hands was outraging. This monologue portrays Othello’s naivety in a sense that even though Desdemona is the woman he loves so dearly, Iago is the one twisting the truth to purposely infuriate Othello and drive him further and further towards insanity.

Evidently his emotional state at this point in the play is not stable, thus I portrayed him as confused, vulnerable and quite distraught. As an actress I’ve aimed to portray him in the pure essence that I feel Shakespeare would have liked him to show. At this time in the play he has just about had enough, he has confirmed his doubts about Desdemona and is feeling just as I portrayed him; confused, vulnerable and distraught.

Thank you so much for listening to me today, and I really hope you consider me for this role. Thank you!