Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Act III- 2

Act Shakespeare's Othello the Moor of Venice progresses, we can see how big of an effect Iago has on Othello. He was able to easily plant the seed of doubt in Othello's mind that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. Iago does this gradually by interjecting hints of his disapproval of their friendship. Iago tries to make more out of the situation when Desdemona and Cassio were talking by saying, "Ha! I like not that" (Shakespeare, 1405, Act III.iii.35). He also tries to make it sound like the entire time Othello and Desdemona have been together and from the time they began courting, Cassio and Desdemona were having secret relations. "Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, Know of your love?... I did not think he had been aquainted with her" (Shakespeare, 1407, Act III.iii.95-100). Iago tries to play off his sly tricks by saying that they were just paranoid thoughts. He proclaims that his thoughts could be and probably are wrong.

I found it extremely surprising that Othello fully believed Iago. He let this worry fill his mind and cause him to believe the worst in Desdemona. How could he have changed his mind so quickly when he was jsut so infatuated with her? Maybe it was just as easy to fall out of love with her as it was to fall in love with her.

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