TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > English > Othello - A Credible Character
Quite often the questions seem to be about the credibility of the characters so I thought that maybe we could share ideas about how credible the characters seem.
Not credible
- It doesn't seem credible that he would so easily be manipulated by Iago, that he would change his opinion of Desdemona so quickly. In Act 3 Scene 3he states he needs "ocular proof" and that I'll see before I doubt however only 100 lines later he is accusing her of being a "lewd minx"
- If he does place such trust in and hold such a high regard of Iago then we are left wondering as to why he was not made Lieutenant initially
- It could be said that it doesn't seem credible that there is such a marked difference in his language, from his eloquent speech to his rantings
Credible
- He is an outsider to Venetian society- therefore he is insecure and relies on Iago, a man whom knows with a Leaned spirit of human of dealings Therefore it IS plausible he would be so easily manipulated by Iago. Iago takes advantage of Othello's inability to see characters clearly, saying how he "thinks men honest that seem to be"
- Iago is able to manipulate the other characters, why not Othello
- He also uses clever insinuations and never directly accuses anyone- it is plausible therefore that Othello would be taken in.
- Othello's language changing directly reflects his state of mind, he even states "my mind misgives" and in his rantings says "farewell content". It also mirrors Iago's animalistic, bestial language showing his influence. His deteriorating language could be seen as plausible therefore.
- When the Turks are drowned Othello's use as a warrior diminishes and although he still has authority, war, the only concept he is comfortable with has been removed- allows for descent into paranoia, jealousy
Comments
Originally posted by Chrissyboy5 on TSR Forums.
