Othello (should have been called Iago tbf)

So Othello, a play highlighting how communication within relationships is kind of important.

The play begins with Iago and Roderigo in Venice bitching about Othello and the secret marriage between him and Desdemona. Roderigo is obsessively in love with Desdemona which helps Iago manipulates him into going to the Dukes window. There they shout at the Duke to the extent that he wakes up just to tell him his daughter has run of with a man. Not just any man but the Moor of Venice. What a rough night. So yeah insert angry Dad, Senators, a mission to Cypris for Moor, a telling off, a Turkish navy (that all happens o drown at sea(the navy is the purpose of the Moors Mission))

... and then the play goes from there... a little racism here a bit of feminism there and a lot of tragedy everywhere.

However Othello, even though not being my favourite of Shakespeare's plays (TWELFTH NIGHTTTTT) the play itself gives us a truly remarkable villain - Iago.

Iago is a character that is a clear example as to why villains are such interesting characters. Yes I am clear we have no slid proof as to why Iago hates Othello so much (in my opinion I think it is because Iago is racist... however it could be due to jealousy of his rank, he could love Desdemona (because apparently everyone does in this play) or becauase Othello is rumoured to have slept with Emilia or because he is bored because lets be real in this play nothing happens accept miss communication). Anyway, Iago is a character that is able to fool EVERYONE around him and give off this impression that he is Gods gift.

Why Othello should be called Iago:

-Iago is basically the main character

-has most lines, monologues etc

-he kind of wins even though he dies

-the most interesting character lets be real

Besides Iago, in my opinion, the rest of the characters are pretty weak. Othello is so self-conscious of himself that it leads to his downfall. He doesn't listen to anyone accept a man who seems to me to clearly have it out for his marriage. Cassio is too much of a child to go to Othello and apologies so he asks for his wife Desdemona to do all his hard work. Desdemona herself is a strong kind woman however her ability to not know when to STOP TALKING ABOUT CASSIO is frustrating. Like seriously just stop trying to change the conversation and put hm straight. And lets not get into Roderigo like please just go back to Venice already.

The only character that intrigued me besides Iago was Emilia. However, I do believe that her character to me felt like it had no distinct personality (I'll explain in a minute) I do think that she was the woman within the play that actually carried the story and acted the most. What I mean by this is that unlike VIOLA, OLIVIA and basically all the women from Twelfth Night, the women within Othello felt like figure heads. None of them talked a great deal or showed to stand on their on two feet as characters. The only moments that stood out for me was Emilia's monologue and when she stood up for Desdemona at the end putting two fingers up at her husband.

These moments not only highlight a piece of feminism, women stocking up for women and explaining how women are just like men in their desires and actions, but these moments only derive from one character. However, Emilia is seen to be the 'mother' figure within the play to Desdemona (Desdemona being the maiden and Bianca being the 'whore'). However, with this territory we see a strength within her that we do not see within the rest of the female characters. The reason I say that Emilia is a 'wobbly' character is because she shows juxtaposing characteristics. Emilia is seen to try and please her husband yet preaches that women "Let husbands know their wives have sense like them". Well if Emilia had the same level as sense as her husband then she should know that he is a dick and would never respect her. I know that it can be argues that at that time the divide in the sexes was great and even having a monologue like this one is incredible by such a beloved writer. I get it. However, even though W.S is portraying how a women can act differently before her husband then another women, I still felt that when I was reading the play I got the sense that the Emilia I read from the beginning was different then the one at the end-talking down to her 'superiors'. Yes this is character development but it is weird that she talks down to those she has been ingrained her whole life to treat with the most respect.

Othello is a play in which is character driven and containing no purpose.