Othello #7

            In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello recognizes he has committed a fatal action that he cannot undo. In Act 5, Scene 2 Othello kills Desdemona. After Desdemona’s death Emilia reveals that Iago was lying about Desdemona and Cassio sleeping together. Upon realizing Iago’s lies, Othello looks at Desdemona’s corpse and says, “This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven” (V.ii.32). Othello has already accepted that he is going to die by committing suicide, and Othello also accepts that he will not be joining Desdemona in heaven. Desdemona is a virtuous figure within the play, and, according to Christian beliefs, Desdemona will be able to enjoy heaven for eternity; Othello also knows that Desdemona is in heaven. Othello’s evil murder of Desdemona means that Othello will be condemned to the underworld. Desdemona’s virtue further highlights Othello’s recent malevolent actions. During Othello’s final speech, the audience is able to find sympathy for Othello in regard to Iago’s manipulation, but Desdemona’s heavenly virtue means the audience can never forgive Othello for the murder. Therefore, the murder of Desdemona marks the final straw in Othello’s downfall, and Othello can never return to the extreme happiness he felt just a few days before.