Honor In Othello
Siarhei (Serge) Hudzen
Professor Baldassano
English 220
May 1st, 2015
The Beast in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
"What is left when honor is lost?" This question, asked by Publilius Syrus, a known writer of the Ancient Rome during the times of Caesar, serves as a basis for the struggle between Othello and Iago. Both men are engaged in a battle over Othello’s honor. Iago is intent on destroying Othello’s sense of honor and reducing him to a bestial state. Iago views Othello as a beast masquerading in warrior’s dress. He wants to return Othello to what he believes to be his natural bestial state, and he realizes that to achieve this goal he must dupe Othello into violating his code of honor. Ironically, as Iago tries to unmask Othello’s bestiality, …show more content…
Othello could never return to the bestial state because he never loses his sense of honor. His murder of Desdemona is an act of misguided justice. Yet Iago’s part in the murder is more fitting of a beast. Othello murders with a reason; Iago murders without a reason. Initially, Iago is seemingly a man who wants revenge for being passed over for the position as Othello’s lieutenant. He cannot understand why Cassio "That never set a squadron in the field, / Nor the division of a battle knows" (1.1.22-23) was chosen over him "of whom his eyes had seen the proof / At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds" (1.1.27-28). He tells Roderigo that he is only following Othello "to serve my turn upon him" (1.1.42). This scene leads to the belief that Iago wants revenge on Othello for making Cassio his lieutenant and him only the ancient. Yet as the play progresses, his motives become less clear. Throughout the subsequent acts, Iago behaves increasingly more like a beast. He says that “I do suspect the lusty Moor / Hath leap 'd into my seat: the thought whereof / Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; / And nothing can or shall content my soul / Till I am even 'd with him, wife for wife.” Iago’s bestiality is evident, as the only outcome that will satisfy Iago is the immoral “wife for wife”, which resembles the barbaric law of retaliation known as “eye for an eye”. He loses his ability (if he ever had it) to think and act justly. He becomes obsessed with destroying Othello’s life. He says, "I do hate him as I do hell pains" (1.1.155). Yet, unlike most humans, Iago has no reason for his hate. His hatred of Othello is beast-like, stemming not from rational thought but from animal
Professor Baldassano
English 220
May 1st, 2015
The Beast in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
"What is left when honor is lost?" This question, asked by Publilius Syrus, a known writer of the Ancient Rome during the times of Caesar, serves as a basis for the struggle between Othello and Iago. Both men are engaged in a battle over Othello’s honor. Iago is intent on destroying Othello’s sense of honor and reducing him to a bestial state. Iago views Othello as a beast masquerading in warrior’s dress. He wants to return Othello to what he believes to be his natural bestial state, and he realizes that to achieve this goal he must dupe Othello into violating his code of honor. Ironically, as Iago tries to unmask Othello’s bestiality, …show more content…
Othello could never return to the bestial state because he never loses his sense of honor. His murder of Desdemona is an act of misguided justice. Yet Iago’s part in the murder is more fitting of a beast. Othello murders with a reason; Iago murders without a reason. Initially, Iago is seemingly a man who wants revenge for being passed over for the position as Othello’s lieutenant. He cannot understand why Cassio "That never set a squadron in the field, / Nor the division of a battle knows" (1.1.22-23) was chosen over him "of whom his eyes had seen the proof / At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds" (1.1.27-28). He tells Roderigo that he is only following Othello "to serve my turn upon him" (1.1.42). This scene leads to the belief that Iago wants revenge on Othello for making Cassio his lieutenant and him only the ancient. Yet as the play progresses, his motives become less clear. Throughout the subsequent acts, Iago behaves increasingly more like a beast. He says that “I do suspect the lusty Moor / Hath leap 'd into my seat: the thought whereof / Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; / And nothing can or shall content my soul / Till I am even 'd with him, wife for wife.” Iago’s bestiality is evident, as the only outcome that will satisfy Iago is the immoral “wife for wife”, which resembles the barbaric law of retaliation known as “eye for an eye”. He loses his ability (if he ever had it) to think and act justly. He becomes obsessed with destroying Othello’s life. He says, "I do hate him as I do hell pains" (1.1.155). Yet, unlike most humans, Iago has no reason for his hate. His hatred of Othello is beast-like, stemming not from rational thought but from animal