Othello’s Role in the Murder of Desdemona

Othello played the most important role in the murder of Desdemona due to his flaws in his character. His personality flaws ultimately lead him to killing his wife, making it an important factor in the play. Two of his most vivid flaws include his jealousy and his reason versus passion. Iago may have set up the death of Desdemona, but Othello has the most important role of her death due his flaws acting upon him and making himself kill his wife. His inability to comprehend his reason verses passion is mainly represented in Act 3 scene 3.

While his dramatic jealousy can be seen in Act 4 scene 1. All of which lead to his eventual downfall and the death of Desdemona. Othello’s reason versus passion is undeniably a contributing factor that leads to Desdemona’s death. Othello cannot comprehend his reason versus passion and this ultimately leads to the tragedy and destruction in the play. Iago ignites the chaos in the play but without Othello the play would not have ended in this dramatic fashion and the Death of Desdemona would not have occurred. Act 3 scene 3 is a turning point in the play between his reason and passion.

Interestingly enough Othello says “But I do love thee, and when I love thee not, / Chaos is come again” in Act 3 scene 3. This foreshadows the Chaos of Othello not loving Desdemona later in the play. It represents himself understanding his own reason verses passion as he knows that if he stops loving Desdemona then his passion will overwhelm his reason, thus causing chaos. Also in this scene Othello says, “For she has eyes and chose me. ” This represents his reason, which doesn’t last long and his reasoning fades as the play goes on.

Again in the same act Othello says “Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow hell! ” A metaphor is used to represent Othello calling his own vengeance to come from him self. In saying this, Othello is now full of anger and vengeance that is brought on upon by his passion and he now has no reason left in his conscience. “Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her, damn her! ” is said by Othello later in the scene. Once again Othello’s passion is engulfing his reason and he is coming to dramatic conclusions.

The repetition of ‘damn her’, and naming her ‘lewd minx’ emphasises his passionate hate for her. Act 3 scene 3 is a perfect example of him having self conflict between his reason vs. passion, where his passion takes control of his reasoning. Thus, this flaw of his inability to have balanced reason and passion is a major contributor to Desdemona’s death. Jealousy is yet another important theme throughout the play of Othello, and it has consumed the mind of Othello, ultimately leading him to killing Desdemona.

Evident in Act 4 scene 1, Iago easily manipulates Othello with profound jealousy and it overwhelms him throughout. Iago says ‘Or to be naked with her in bed / An hour of more, not meaning any harm? ’ This imagery is not only placed in the minds of the audience, but set into Othello’s mind. Othello replies ‘Naked in bed, Iago, and not mean harm? ’ Othello obviously shows jealous nature by asking this rhetorical question, where he thinks that anyone in bed naked with his wife means harm.

Othello is also Jealous of Cassio and it is evident in the line ‘Look how he laughs already! ’ said by Othello. Othello is jealous, as he cannot bare Cassio in being happy, thus he points out the obvious of Cassio laughing. Immediately after Cassio exists in this scene Othello says ‘How shall I murder him, Iago? ’ His jealousy has consumed his mind and now he is resorting to killing Cassio. The high modality ‘How’ emphasises his hate towards him because he is pondering the different ways he can kill Iago, also creating imagery for the audience.

Later in the scene before Othello slaps Desdemona he yells ‘Devil’. This is a metaphor as the devil has consumed his mind into a phase of dramatic jealousy, where the Devil inside of him has resulted to killing Desdemona. Jealousy consumes the mind of Othello, and is it is emphasised in the play, it is a catalyst for the killing of Desdemona. In the play Othello there are many people who play a role in the death of Desdemona. Iago may be an important role as he persuades Othello into an erratic thunderous state, as well as persuading him to kill Desdemona.

Although, Iago could have attempted to persuade anyone else into killing someone, but with out flaws like Othello had, it would not be possible. Therefor Othello had the most important role in the death of Desdemona through his flaws of Jealousy and Reason versus Passion. We can get an understanding that jealousy has consumed the mind of Othello. Even though Iago ignites this flaw, without Othello having this flaw Iago would not be able to manipulate him into killing Desdemona, thus making Othello the most important role towards her death.