Who is to blame? “Honest Iago” (ll.iii.355)? Othello? Why does it all ways have to be a who? How about a what-- communication.
When it comes to placing the blame for the outcome of Shakespeare’s play, Othello, all fingers point to the the lack of communication.
Not Iago.
Not Othello.
Not Desdemona.
Not Emilia.
Communication.
Shakespeare makes it obvious from the very first scene to the last scene that communication between each of the characters would play a major role in the outcome of the play, but not everyone picks up on it.
It started with Iago’s catharsis of resentment when Othello informed him that he had “already chose [his] officer” (l.i.18). Instead of confronting Othello and getting a well deserved explanation for being passed over for the promotion, Iago concludes that he “hates him” (l.i.171) and stirs up trouble by educating Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, of her recent elopement.
When it comes to placing the blame for the outcome of Shakespeare’s play, Othello, all fingers point to the the lack of communication.
Not Iago.
Not Othello.
Not Desdemona.
Not Emilia.
Communication.
Shakespeare makes it obvious from the very first scene to the last scene that communication between each of the characters would play a major role in the outcome of the play, but not everyone picks up on it.
It started with Iago’s catharsis of resentment when Othello informed him that he had “already chose [his] officer” (l.i.18). Instead of confronting Othello and getting a well deserved explanation for being passed over for the promotion, Iago concludes that he “hates him” (l.i.171) and stirs up trouble by educating Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, of her recent elopement.
Notice one thing that could've prevented that situation-- you guessed it communication.
If only Iago expressed his concerns directly with Othello or Othello made clear to Iago why he was promoted, there wouldn’t have been any hatred leading to the commotion that put both of their reputations in question.
Hold on a second. It wasn’t just Iago and Othello that avoid communicating with one another. Desdemona and Emilia are just as guilty of neglecting to using their words to seek out the truth and speak their minds.
Emilia may not have played a big part in the play, but the one incident that screamed for her to question Iago’s, her husband, motives passed her by. To distracted by the yearning for attention his attention, Emilia overlooked the consequences of of stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief only to be greeted by the phrases “foolish wife” (lll.iii.348) and “a good wrench” (lll.iii.359). Not a very nice thank you for contributing to his master plan is it? Wouldn’t you think she would be curious to what Iago wanted the handkerchief for, but there were no questions asked and that’s where Emilia lacked to communicate with him. She didn’t ask his intentions, she simply wanted affection that never came.
Then there’s Desdemona. In the beginning she stood up for herself and spoke the truth, but as the play progressed she became blinded by her love for Othello. Desdemona seemed to loss her words when every Othello spoke to her. When she is asked to “fetch [Othello] the handkerchief” (lll.iv.103), she doesn’t tell him the truth-- that she lost it-- and goes on to talk about Cassio. If only Desdemona communicated to Othello what happened to the handkerchief and her intentions regarding Cassio, Othello would of had another perspective on the problem evolving.
So why put all the blame on communication, but not one of the characters? It’s a good question that can be answered in six words. It’s not just one person’s fault. Every character in Othello ,whether it be Iago or Desdemona, contributed to the outcome of the play due to the fact they avoided communicating with one another to get the whole truth.
Hold on a second. It wasn’t just Iago and Othello that avoid communicating with one another. Desdemona and Emilia are just as guilty of neglecting to using their words to seek out the truth and speak their minds.
Emilia may not have played a big part in the play, but the one incident that screamed for her to question Iago’s, her husband, motives passed her by. To distracted by the yearning for attention his attention, Emilia overlooked the consequences of of stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief only to be greeted by the phrases “foolish wife” (lll.iii.348) and “a good wrench” (lll.iii.359). Not a very nice thank you for contributing to his master plan is it? Wouldn’t you think she would be curious to what Iago wanted the handkerchief for, but there were no questions asked and that’s where Emilia lacked to communicate with him. She didn’t ask his intentions, she simply wanted affection that never came.
Then there’s Desdemona. In the beginning she stood up for herself and spoke the truth, but as the play progressed she became blinded by her love for Othello. Desdemona seemed to loss her words when every Othello spoke to her. When she is asked to “fetch [Othello] the handkerchief” (lll.iv.103), she doesn’t tell him the truth-- that she lost it-- and goes on to talk about Cassio. If only Desdemona communicated to Othello what happened to the handkerchief and her intentions regarding Cassio, Othello would of had another perspective on the problem evolving.
So why put all the blame on communication, but not one of the characters? It’s a good question that can be answered in six words. It’s not just one person’s fault. Every character in Othello ,whether it be Iago or Desdemona, contributed to the outcome of the play due to the fact they avoided communicating with one another to get the whole truth.