Othello's Role in the Murder of Desdemona

Othello played the most important role in the murder of Desdemona due to his flaws in his character. His personality flaws ultimately lead him to killing his wife, making it an important factor in the play. Two of his most vivid flaws include his jealousy and his reason versus passion. Iago may have set up the death of Desdemona, but Othello has the most important role of her death due his flaws acting upon him and making himself kill his wife. His inability to comprehend his reason verses passion is mainly represented in Act 3 scene 3. While his dramatic jealousy can be seen in Act 4 scene 1. All of which lead to his eventual downfall and the death of Desdemona.

Othello’s reason versus passion is undeniably a contributing factor that leads to Desdemona’s death. Othello cannot comprehend his reason versus passion and this ultimately leads to the tragedy and destruction in the play. Iago ignites the chaos in the play but without Othello the play would not have ended in this dramatic fashion and the Death of Desdemona would not have occurred. Act 3 scene 3 is a turning point in the play between his reason and passion. Interestingly enough Othello says “But I do love thee, and when I love thee not, / Chaos is come again” in Act 3 scene 3. This foreshadows the Chaos of Othello not loving Desdemona later in the play. It represents himself understanding his own reason verses passion as he knows that if he stops loving Desdemona then his passion will overwhelm his reason, thus causing chaos. Also in this scene Othello says, “For she has eyes and chose me.” This represents his reason, which doesn’t last long and his reasoning fades as the play goes on. Again in the same act Othello says “Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow hell!” A metaphor is used to represent Othello calling his own vengeance to come from him self. In saying this, Othello is now full of anger and vengeance that is brought on upon by his passion and he now has no reason left in his conscience.