Essay on Humanity and Reason in Othello - 1791 Words

Humanity and Reason in Othello In Othello Shakespeare probes deeply into the human condition by creating characters, who, by their inability to think rationally, surrender what sets them above animals. Before he succumbs to Iagos poisonous innuendoes, Othello himself expresses his clear understanding of this role of the human intellect. He initially refuses to listen to Iagos suggestions that Desdemona cannot be trusted, Exchange me for a goat/When I shall turn the business of my soul/To such exsufflicate and blown surmises (3.3.194-96). Othello feels that he would be acting like an animal if he became irrationally jealous because someone would say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company (3.3.198). He tells Iago that†¦show more content†¦Each character also becomes associated with animals as a means to underscore this loss. From the beginning of the play Roderigo has an irrational infatuation with Desdemona. He admits to Iago that it is my shame to be so fond, but it is not in my virtue to amend it (1.3.314-14). He has been rejected by her father as her suitor, and even when he learns that she has eloped with Othello, he does not want to abandon his hopes. By himself, Roderigo is merely a foolish gentleman with an adolescent case of puppy love. We are not to take him seriously when he threatens to drown himself at the end of act one. It is only as he becomes increasing under the power of Iago that he loses all power to reason for himself. This is Roderigos main fault--he allows Iago to think for him and put him into situations he would normally avoid. Iago controls Roderigo by appealing to his sense of manhood, Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies (3.3.327-28). Iago encourages him to stop acting like a helpless animal and behave like a man. For Iago this means to go out and take w hat you want--in this case, Desdemona. Actually, he has no respect for Roderigos whining. He feels that Roderigo is less than a man because he allows another to affect him so much without taking decisive action, Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon (1.3.313-14). Roderigo is a senselessShow MoreRelatedAnalyzing Humanity in Othello: The Reason Why it is Still Worth Studying1675 Words   |  7 PagesHumanity in Othello: The Reason It is Still Worth Studying Dr. David Allen White of the US Naval Academy asserts that we are all Iago now (White 2000). The claim may seem outlandish at first. Modern man representative of Shakespeares greatest arch-villain? How could one even suggest such a thing? 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