The Mood Of Othello Essay, Research Paper
The Mood of Othello Othello is a play that evokes many
emotions from a reader?s mind. The mood is changing, yet
throughout, it demands a lot of contempt for the villain, Iago.
Beginning with act one, there is an immediate setting for
suspicion which will remain characteristic throughout the
whole story. There is a touch of happiness for the
newlyweds, Othello and Desdemona, which quickly
disintegrates with the mighty villains lies and deceit. There is
a feeling of empathy for Othello when his extreme, yet falsely
founded jealousy causes him to lose his mind, and his
beloved wife. The mood is sad and frustrating when poor
innocent Desdemona is being punished for a crime she didn?t
commit. And at the end there is a slight feeling of satisfaction
that Iago?s plan was revealed, yet the mood is
overwhelmingly depressing because Othello and Desdemona
both suffered severely and died. Iago introduces suspicion in
the very first scene. He is discussing how he hates Othello,
yet he must feign loyalty for his position. This is already a
clue to the reader that Iago cannot be trusted. This feeling of
mistrust is vital in the mood of the play because it is most
ironic that Othello trusts Iago as much as to murder his own
wife. This ironic plot creates a frustrating feeling for the
reader which is felt throughout the play. The mood is tense
when we find out that Brabantio is angry that Othello has
taken his daughter. He is determined that Othello must have
tricked Desdemona into loving him. Othello defends his love
for her, and she in turn vows her love for him. This situation
of a forbidden relationship is romantic, it makes the reader
feel a great deal of respect and happiness for their mutual
love. When Iago begins poisoning Othello?s mind with false
suspicion of Desdemona?s fidelity, the mood is extremely
frustrating. The reader is aware of Iago?s lies, yet Othello is
being easily led to believe them. This also evokes anger
towards Iago, he is evil in his constant lying, yet he is
referred to by Othello as kind and honest. This irony is
painful to the reader because it is so blatant. Othello?s
extreme jealousy causes the reader a combination of
emotions. Jealousy is a very painful emotion, and the reader
sympathizes with Othello. Yet, since the reader is aware of
the falseness in the roots of the jealousy, they feel a little
disgusted by how easily Othello is being tricked. He is
introduced as such a rational and strong man, yet the evil
Iago is so easily deceiving him. The mood is tragic when we
see that Iago?s plan has worked and the poor Desdemona is
his unknowing victim. She is lovingly faithful to Othello, and
is confused and hurt by his false accusations. This makes the
reader begin to dislike Othello for his irrational, cruel
persecution of his loving wife. Still, we know the blame
belongs to Iago, and our hostile feelings towards him are
stronger than ever. As well as Desdemona, Cassio and
Roderigo are also unexpecting victims to Iago?s schemes.
They all assume Iago?s honesty, while in fact he is exploiting
and using them as his pawns in his deceitful plotting. The
mood in the acts IV, and V are continuously dreadful.
Othello has been driven mad by Iago?s insisting
conversations of Desdemona?s affair with Cassio. Othello?s
expresses his undeniable murderous thoughts which are
rooted in his raging jealousy when he compares them to the
current of the Pontic Sea, Whose icy current and compulsive
course Ne?er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on… Even so
my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, Shall ne?er look
back, ne?er ebb to humble love, Till that a capable and wide
revenge Swallow them up. Now, by yond marble heaven, In
due reverence of a sacred vow I here engage my words.
(3.3.502-510) The reader understands his pain, and longs
for the truth to relieve it. On the contrary, Iago?s plan to
expose Cassio in front of Othello works perfectly. When
Othello secretly observes Cassio?s mistress with the
handkerchief, he finally is completely convinced of the affair.
He declared revenge for his lost love and pride, and has
decides that death shall be the punishment for both Cassio
and Desdemona. The ending of the story is disastrous, and
the reader is devastated when Desdemona, while pleading
her innocence, is murdered by the jealously insane Othello.
Othello is tragically surprised when he finally realizes, a
minute too late, that he was wrong and Desdemona had
been faithful. Iago?s lies were all uncovered by his wife
Emilia, and Iago kills her for speaking the truth. Othello
finally discovers Iago?s rotten lies, and denounces him as a
villain. Unfortunately this realization is too late, and he has
destroyed his own fate. Othello kills himself in shame. The
reader has a small feeling of justification that Iago was
exposed, yet the mournful mood prevails since Othello,
Desdemona, and Emilia, were all robbed of their happiness,
and ultimately their lives for the lies that Iago told.
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