To What Extent Do You Believe That Othello’s Insecurities Are the Cause of His Downfall?

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to him in order to fill Othello’s mind with doubt regarding Desdemona’s love for him. Playing on Othello’s insecurities and his cultural inclination towards superstition, Iago uses Desdemona’s handkerchief “her first remembrance from the Moor” to convince Othello of Desdemona’s guilt. Symbolic to Othello of the integrity and trust in his marriage to Desdemona and imbued with superstitious associations, the lost handkerchief provides Iago with an opportunity to destroy what remains of Othello’s belief in his wife’s faithfulness as he recognizes that such “Trifles…. /Are to the jealous confirmations strong/As proofs of holy writ.” Othello’s doubt ultimately transforms into rage and “Chaos is come again” pushing him towards murdering his innocent wife. Othello’s calm nobility and honour give way to the bestial qualities attributed to him by Iago at the beginning of the play as he transforms into a ‘beast’. Filled with rage and hate he asserts “Had all his[Cassio] hairs been lives my great revenge had stomach for them all”. His monstrosity is also evident in Desdemona’s description of his reaction to her denials ‘I fear you, for you’re fatal then when your eyes roll so’. Manipulated by Iago, Othello gives way to his insecurities and his once calm and empathetic heart had been ‘turned to stone’ with tragic consequences for all.

Not only is Othello’s insecurities leading to his downfall, but also in his worldview which enables him to be easily manipulated by others, especially Iago. Ultimately it is this belief that people who appear to be honest, are honest, along with his insecure looks and lack of conformity to Venetian culture which lead to his untimely downfall.