Theme Of Betrayal In Othello

Betrayal, the act of being false or disloyal, is a central topic depicted throughout the tragedy Othello by William Shakespeare. The main characters in the play Desdemona, Cassio, and Othello himself betray one another or are affected by Iago’s acts of betrayal. These acts of betrayal in turn leads to their overall demise at the end of the play.
The play opens with Iago ranting to his friend, Roderigo, about how he has not received the position of Lieutenant, but rather a less qualified man has received it instead, “Forsooth, a great arithmetician, one Michael Cassio!” (Shakespeare I.i.21) Filled with jealousy and resentment over the position, he begins to plot a series of acts of betrayal towards Othello involving his wife cheating on him with his lieutenant Cassio in order to completely ruin him for the promotion that he did not receive. Iago is Othello’s supposed closest friend and confidant, meaning that he should be loyal and respectful towards him, which he isn’t. In fact Iago confesses to his friend Roderigo how much he truly despises Othello and only pretends to be loyal to him, “In following him, I follow but myself…I will wear my heart upon my sleeve” (Shakespeare I.i.60). At
By convincing Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio she ends up dead by the hands of her own husband. However once Emilia comes in and explains to Othello that Desdemona is telling the truth, he is so heartbroken and ashamed he insists “all that’s spoke is marred. I kissed thee ere I killed thee; no way but this. Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.”(Shakespeare V.ii.357) He finds no comfort in living without Desdemona, especially knowing that she died in vain and he is responsible. Othello can hardly believe what he has done because he thinks of himself as, "One not easily jealous, but, being wrought, perplexed in the extreme..." (V.ii.348-349)” meaning that he has acted out of character and only in the interests of honor. Now Cassio along with the rest of the court learn of Iago’s betrayal. Cassio is ascended to governor and assigned to deliver the punishment that “remain the censure of the hellish villain, the time, the place, the torture.” (Shakespeare V.ii.368) Over all left in charge of what remains of the problem. Throughout the course of the play the reader can follow the acts of betrayal committed mostly by Iago and see how they affected the different characters. The nature of betrayal also contributes to the overall demise of the characters seeing as both Othello and Desdemona end up dead and Iago himself has brought has been charged for their deaths and sentenced to torture while Cassio is left in charge of the