Othello #4

     Othello's veins have become poisoned with the idea that his loving wife Desdemona is unfaithful. Iago initiates this spark of jealousy and doubt, and Othello is now convinced that Desdemona has cheated on him with the handsome Cassio. Back in Venice, Othello was a strong and confident man. He had no secrets and no ugly character traits. However, his love for Desdemona is so inflated that the smallest pin prick of doubt deflates his confidence in their love and marriage. Iago has punctured a hole in their marriage, and at the thought of her unfaithfulness, Othello plans to kill his wife: "I will withdraw/ To furnish me with some swift means of death/ For the fair devil" (III.iii.476-8). This is a very rash and impulsive decision for the levelheaded Othello. In Venice, Othello professed his eternal love for Desdemona and vowed: "My life upon her faith" (I.iii.295). Now, it appears as though he reverses this statement. Desdemona will die on account of his distrust brought about by Iago's manipulation. The contrasting settings of Venice and Cyprus bring about different personalities in the characters. Venice is portrayed as the setting of logic and reason, whereas the Turks live in a savage and bestial environment. Cyprus is in the middle of these two locations, and we can see the struggle within Othello. He tells Iago, "I think my wife be honest, and think she is not/ I think that art just, and think thou art not" (III.iii.384-5). Othello is torn between his logical reasoning and his emotional reasoning. In Cyprus, he is placed in between the two worlds and does not know which direction to follow. With power and great mistrust will come a tragedy.