Othello shows weak human judgement

Othello I agree with the statement that Shakespeare’s play Othello demonstrates the weakness of human judgement. The demise of both Othello and Iago is due to each one’s weak judge of character, and poor judgement of situations. Othello falls from a position of power and nobility to a debased shadow of his former self, as a result of Iago’s cunning plans. Yet had Othello a better sense of judgement Iago’s schemes would not have worked.

One of Othello’s biggest flaws is his poor judge of character. Othello is convinced of Iago’s honesty right up to Iago’s final moments of freedom. He is a complete dupe to Iago’s plans. He immediately turns to Iago for answers when Cassio stabs Montano,

“I know, Iago Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio.”

Othello wrongly judges Iago’s stories to be true and doesn’t even think of questioning anyone else. He foolishly believes that Iago is an honest and honourable man, and is too blind to see through Iago’s façade. This display of weak human judgement ultimately leads Othello to wrongfully murdering his wife.

Naivety and ignorance is shown constantly by Othello when he foolishly accepts Iago’s ‘proofs’ of Desdemona’s infidelity without question. He is so enraged and jealous at the notion of his wife sleeping with someone else that he looses his sense of judgement and rationality. This could be considered a relatively natural reaction to such a situation, but it ultimately shows a weakness in the human psyche. Again Othello shows poor judgement by not confronting Desdemona about these claims and instead contents himself with Iago’s word. He convinces himself that he is acting in Desdemona’s best interests and wrongfully assumes her to be the “cunning whore of Venice”.

Again Othello shows a very weak sense of judgement when he