Othello #4

            In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, the main character, Othello, appears to be in a euphoric bliss at the beginning of the play, but he eventually falls to the great depths of despair by the end of the play. Othello’s fall from grace is best noticed through Othello’s changing relationship with his wife. During one conversation where Desdemona attempts to have Cassio reinstated as Othello’s lieutenant, Othello will not listen to Desdemona’s pleas. Desdemona requests, “I pray, talk me of Cassio” (III.iv.108), but Othello simply responds, “The handkerchief!” (III.iv.109). Othello is asking about the handkerchief because he wrongly suspects that Desdemona gave the handkerchief to Cassio. Othello has lost trust in his wife, for Othello believes Iago’s false accusations that Desdemona is cheating with Cassio. Othello’s loss of trust in Desdemona marks the beginning of Othello’s downfall. Since Othello can no longer trust Desdemona, he becomes paranoid of the intentions of those around him. Othello does not trust neither Desdemona nor Cassio; however, the person Othello should not trust is Iago. Unfortunately, Iago is the only character that Othello fully trusts. Through Othello’s costly decision to trust Iago over his own wife, Iago leads Othello towards a tragic end.