Othello: Act 5 Analysis Essay, Research Paper

Othello: Act 5 Analysis

Iago’s intelligence causes the self destruction of Othello. He appears

to be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by the way he acts and

handles some situations. Iago is set to plan revenge on Othello for not making

him lieutenant. He gains the trust of Othello by telling lies to him, and

these lies cause the destruction of Othello.

Othello should have investigated on some of the outrageous things Iago

has told him. Iago is simply just trying to gain Othello’s trust. This is

shown when Iago talks about killing Roderigo because he was saying bad things

about Othello. “Nine or ten times I had thought t’ have yerked him here under

the ribs.” (1:2, 4-6). The same thing happens again, this time about Cassio.

“With her – on her – what you will.” (4:1, 42). Iago tells Othello about

Cassio sleeping with Desdemona. This appears to be Iago’s smartest move

because this causes the death of Desdemona and Cassio. This part also appears

important to Iago because he is finally made lieutenant.

Othello changes dramatically when he hears all these lies from Iago.

He is now less patient. He hurries through many decisions to be made. Such as

the one to kill his wife. He also jumps to conclusions too quickly. This is

shown when Iago and Bianca are talking about Cassio and Othello misinterprets

them talking about Desdemona. “Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned

tonight, for she shall not live.” (4:1, 200-201. Othello is planning

Desdemona’s death. He appears to be very stressed out, by the way he acts and

talks. He tries to think that everything is all right but based on what he

hears from Iago, it really isn’t.

Iago’s many plans to destroy Othello and others work well. The

destruction of Othello was mainly caused by himself because he believed all the

stories told by Iago. This can show how the power of trickery can work on

almost anything.