Fatal Flaw

Fatal Flaw

1. Othello: "My parts, my title and my perfect soul / Shall manifest me rightly."

   • Word choice here clearly exudes self-confidence as he refers to his "parts", "title" and "perfect soul" suggesting how highly he believes that he should be regarded. It also demonstrates his immense pride about the services that he has provided for the Venetian State and that he believes in men being judged on their merits. This makes him oblivious to many things as is shown when he later states: "honest Iago". This implies that he thinks of Iago as a man of his word, which of course the audience learn to be untrue. Through this, Othello's arrogance is demonstrated.
   • Initially, when the audience meets Othello, he portrays himself as a noble character. As he is defending himself against accusations of using witchcraft to entrap Desdemona, he states:

2. Iago: "He holds me well / The better shall my purpose work of him"

   • Iago helps to affirm Othello's arrogance. In Iago's first soliloquy at the end of Act One, he reflects that he possesses a good reputation with the protagonist which will aid him in betraying Othello's trust.
   • He is essentially stating that his method of duplicity will only work because of how highly Othello regards him. Due to Iago being described as as honest throughout the play we must assume that he has been a trustworthy, faithful and loyal assistant. This essentially confirms Othello's arrogance as it is obviously widely known that he believes men should be judged on their merits which is how Iago will be able to manipulate him.

3. Desdemona: "I have been talking with a suitor here."

   • However, while the word choice of "suitor" suggests Cassio may be trying to woo her, this is not the way Desdemona meant. She simply meant that he was seeking her help. This plan that Desdemona could help Cassio backfires as Iago has previously planted thoughts of Cassio and his wife into Othello's head. Therefore, Desdemona asking Othello to help Cassio will only strengthen his suspicions and ensure his jealousy.
   • As Iago's manipulation results in Cassio being dismissed from the position of Othello's lieutenant. Cassio seeks Desdemona's help to become reinstated. She pleads his case as she has a caring nature and a big heart.

4. Othello: "Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate / Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak / Of one that lov'd not wisely, but too well; / of one not easily jealous but, being wrought, / perplex'd in the extreme."

   • Upon realising Iago's manipulation and his mistake in trusting him, Othello acknowledges his jealous ways.
   • As he realises he has murdered his wife under false pretenses, he regrets his actions greatly which leads the the climax of the play; Othello's suicide. In his attempts to regain some of his former pride and glory he begins referring to his heroism for the state but quickly realises these deeds are irrelevant. In the end, Othello is recognising his own flaws, that he was previously oblivious to and the tragedy that this has brought upon him.

5. Othello: "the handkerchief!" x3

   • Othello then becomes fully convinced of Desdemona's guilt as he receives the ocular proof he requested from Iago.
   • The repetition illustrates Othello's obsessive tendencies and how fixated he has been on this love token he had given to his wife. It also shows how receptive he was to Iago's deceit. Due to Othello's flaw of arrogance, allowing him to listen to Iago, he now places no trust whatsoever in his wife, believing all of Iago's lies. This leads to Othello murdering Desdemona as his rage about her alleged affair is out of control. This indicates how tragic Othello's flaw of arrogance really is as it led to such unnecessary, brutal actions.