What is the nature of the “proof” that Iago presents to Othello? If the proof isn’t factual, accurate or real, why does Othello turn against Desdemona so quickly?
In your opinion, what is the greater flaw- Iago’s ambition or Othello’s “trusting nature?”
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November 17, 2007 at 5:30 am
Harry S
Iago has done what any person does when they want someone to believe in them… He brown noses and does everything Othello wants of him. Othello’s trusting nature is the flaw that allows Iago’s plan to work. Most people would realize that if someone does all these things for you than they want something out of it. O just doesn’t see that Iago is truly evil and what he gets out of his plan working is a higher rank.
November 18, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Rachel K
Othello believes Iago’s non-justifiable proof because Iago has been feeding Othello lies about Cassio and Desdemona. Therefore Othello has these terrible thoughts planted in his head; and when the littlest proof is given he automatically believes Iago. Iago also handled the situation perfectly because Othello made Iago tell him the evidence that Desdemona was cheating on Othello with Cassio. Othello has the greater tragic flaw of “trusting nature” because he allows Iago to feed him lies against the love of his life without confronting her. He allows Iago to take basically take over his mind and thoughts and manipulate him against his wife and good friend.
November 18, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Chris C
Othello turns against Desdemona quickly because he trusts Iago too much. Othello believes Iago is honest and would never lie to his best friend. The proof is circumstantial evidence. It is possible that the evidence could prove an affair between Desdemona and Cassio however; it not concrete and does not point to only one option.
The greater flaw is Othello’s trusting nature because it blinds him to the truth. It also prevents him from asking anyone else their opinion and causes his downfall.
December 11, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Jaclyn P
I think that Othello gives in to Iago so quickly because to Iago’s benefi,t so many events are happening at once; for example the drunken night with Cassio, the wedding of Desdemona’s and his, and not only being General but haveing the responsibility to start to govern a city in Italy.
Along with that advantage in Iago’s plan, Iago convinces Cassio to go to Desdemona to ask for forgiveness of his actions and Desdemona’s loyalty to bringing Othello and Cassio back together; causes Othello to question who she really is and how well he knew her.
Although the hankercheif did not value that much proof at all the action was taken after Othello seemed to become uneasy about the whole situation. And the value of the hankercheif to Othello brought so much pain; it couldn’t be just a hankercheif in order for Iago’s plan to suceed it had to be that one.
Although Iago’s evil ambition is very scary and creepy at times, I think that Othello has the biggest flaw because he looses trust in himself and reacts to quickly at the situation that Iago presented Othello with.
December 12, 2007 at 12:08 am
Cathy H
Iago’s proof is not justifiable, which is what makes the outcome tragic. Othello had no real reason to kill Desdemona, but he did anyway because he became enraged at the thought of it and let his emotions take over.
Iago, obviously, is over ambitious. However, this is not so much a flaw as his conscious choice. The flaw is the fact that society (aka Othello’s trusting nature) allows Iago to get away with such scandal.
December 12, 2007 at 4:01 am
Alyssa W.
There is no proof, but Othello trusts Iago so much that the need for physical proof is very little or none. Othello turned against Desdemona so quickly because he only heard the lies that Iago was telling him rather than looking for the truth.
Othello’s trusting nature is the bigger flaw. He believes everything he hears, which most people know not to do. If Othello trusts you then you can get away with anything, Just like Iago does throughout the play.
December 12, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Katie S
The “proof” that hr gives Othello is not necessarily false because the proof is based off of what every character in the story says. So, the proof is actually truth but twisted around by Iago enabling him to use it to his advantage. Knowing that Othello trusts him, he realizes that he can say what he wants to say and have Othello believe it as long as he nudges him into it. Because Iago changes around what everybody says, he is able to turn Othello against Desdemonda without physical proof. He quickly turns against her just because he believes every word that Iago says and he does not bother to try and communicate with anyone in the play that he seems to have an issue with. Othello, overall, has the biggest flaw based on the fact that he is too trusting when it comes to Iago. Due to his inability to see the evil in Iago, he eventually kills Desdemona as well as himself. This tragic flaw eventually leads to his tragic death.
December 19, 2007 at 2:08 am
Hillary R.
Iago’s proof to Othello is something he just made up none of it is factual. Othello is so quick so believe Iago and turn against Desdemona because he completely trusts Iago. Iago uses this to his advantage. And as Othello visualizes Desdemona and Cassio in his mind he already believes it as fact. I think Othello has the bigger flaw because he trusts Iago to easily and is gullible to Iago’s statements.
December 20, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Julie B.
There is no real proof that Iago gives Othello, but through Othello’s insecurity he automatically believes it. After Iago starts implanting these falsehoods in Othello’s head, Othello starts to actually see Desdemona being unfaithful. I think Othello turns on Desdemona so quickly for several reasons. I think a big part in this is lack of communication, If Othello would just come out and talk to Desdemona honestly then all of this could have been avoided. Also Iago is extremely manipulative’s and he knows the right way to get into Othello’s head with out actually coming out and saying that Desdemona’s cheating. I also think that maybe Othello has a trusting issue here because so many people look down upon their relationship due to the different skin colors. It doesn’t help when no one really supports the relationship.
January 18, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Brittany B.
The “proof” which Iago presents to Othello is “real” to him because the hankerchief belongs to Desdemona. However, because Iago has already planted the idea that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, Othello believe this “proof” to be real. WIth this, he automatically turns againist his love and murders her. I think that Othello’s flaw of “trusting nature” is greater than Iago’s ambition because Othello’s flaw leads to a live changing event. It is his flaw which leads him to kill Desdemona and then commit suicide and if not for his flaw, they would both still be alive and in love.
January 28, 2008 at 1:52 am
Tanaya R.
As mentioned, the proof that Iago gives to Othello (i.e. the handkerchief) is not viable. In fact, most of what Iago says to Othello is based on heresey. The Moor, however, turns against Desdemona so quickly because he has common human insecurities. His insecurities essentially destroy him in the long run. Additionally, I think his insecurities seem to stem from the fact that he’s out casted because of his race. So he feels the need to be jealous… especially when the man being accused of having an affair with his wife is of the same race as she is. The flawed Othello is also too gullible; he’ll inevitably believe rumors that his so-called friend tells him.
In my opinion, I think they’re both flawed characters, but only Iago truly succeeds in a way. Othello isn’t so successful because he is never able to transcend his insecurities and flaws. This is evident when he meets his demise. That is why I believe Othello’s trusting nature is is much greater and destructive than Iago’s ambition.