which of the following best describes othello's shift in personality over the course of the play?

by Edna Altenwerth 8 min read

Ways the character Othello had changed through the play from start to finish was with the way of spoke to and about others along with his personality. From the start of the play Othello was kind and loving with the way he talked he was known to be sophisticated and gentle but as the play went on Othello became crucial, and impulsive.

Full Answer

What is the character analysis of Othello?

Above all else, this Othello character analysisreveals that Shakespeare'sOthello has gravitas. A celebrated soldier and trusted leader whose race both defines him “The Moor” and defies his lofty position; it would be rare for a man of race to have such a highly respected position in Venetian society. Othello and Race

Is Othello easily manipulated by Iago?

Unfortunately, Othello’s insecurity gets the better of him and he is moved to kill his wife in a fit of jealousy. One could argue that Othello is easily manipulated but as an honest man himself, he has no reason to doubt Iago. “The Moor is of a free and open nature, That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,” (Iago, Act 1 Scene 3, Line 391).

What is the race of Othello in the play?

Othello and Race. Many of Othello's insecurities are derived from his race and from the perception that he is lowlier than his wife. Iago and Roderigo describe Othello at the start of the play, without even naming him, using his racial difference to identify him, referring to him as “the Moor”, “an old black ram”.

What are Othello’s weaknesses?

Pride is also one of Othello’s weaknesses; for him, his wife’s alleged affair confounds his belief that he is a lesser man, that he cannot live up to her expectations and her position in society; her need for a conventional White man is a critical blow to his achieved position.

How does Othello's personality change?

A drastic change in Othello's personality and language occurs as he becomes crude and impulsive. For example, Othello's use of language reveals change when he refers to his wife saying, “she is a whore” and “Let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live”.

How would you describe Othello's personality?

As a skilled soldier and general, Othello is brave, confident, smart and physically strong. Unfortunately, he is also a racial outsider, insecure about his Moorish background, emotionally out of control and naïve. Othello's insecurity is his fatal flaw, a weakness in his personality.

How is Othello presented throughout the play?

Othello is an outsider who is intelligent and confident in military matters but socially insecure. He leads an intense life, swinging between triumph and dread. He is different from those around him, due to his origins and his life history, but he shares their religion, values, and patriotism to Venice.

How is Othello presented at the end of the play?

We know that by the play's end Othello has transformed from a noble general and loving husband into a jealous, irrational killer. We also know that after Othello learns the truth (that he killed the ever-faithful Desdemona for no good reason), he decides to end his own life.

How does Othello perceive himself?

When he sees himself through society's eyes, as a barbaric interloper, Othello begins to despise himself, and it is that self-hatred that allows him to kill what he loves most.

How is Othello described Act 1?

He is the cowardly, fragmented, uncivilised barbarian that Iago describes in the very first scene. This shows Othello to be the false image created by Iago, not what we know of him from his own actions throughout the play, he is not his real self.

How is Othello portrayed at the beginning of the play?

Othello throughout the opening scene is presenting in a highly negative light which hugely contrasts with his character that is revealed later in the play. Beginning with the opening lines of the play, Othello remains at a distance from much of the action that concerns and affects him.

How is Othello presented as confident?

At the start of the play, Othello is a confident, self-assured man who is calm in a crisis and gracious to everyone around him; for example, he remains calm when Brabantio is rudely insulting him, and immediately accepts the Duke's command that he go to Cypress to fight the Ottomans.

How does Othello express his feelings?

This handkerchief had sentimental meanings between the two of them. Othello gave Desdemona this handkerchief when they first meant to express his love for her, or just his feelings. His mother gave it to him and he gave it to her.

How does Othello change over the course of Act 3?

At the beginning of Act 3 Scene 3 Othello has the doubt of Desdemona and Cassio having an affair, but does still trust her. However, when he sees Cassio hastily leave the company of Desdemona, Othello must feel a definite feeling of anxiety over the suspicion that they may be having an affair.

What is Othello's tragic flaw?

Some say that Othello's tragic flaw was jealousy which flared at suspicion and rushed into action unchecked by calm common sense. A more modern interpretation would say that Othello's tragic flaw was that he had internalized, that is taken into himself, the prejudices of those who surrounded him.

What happens to Othello?

Iago's wife, Emilia, tells Othello that Iago has lied. Othello realises his tragic mistake and commits suicide over the body of his wife as Iago is arrested.

What is the character of Othello?

Above all else, this Othello character analysis reveals that Shakespeare's Othello has gravitas. A celebrated soldier and trusted leader whose race both defines him “The Moor” and defies his lofty position; it would be rare for a man of race to have such a highly respected position in Venetian society.

What does the Duke say about Othello?

The Duke only speaks of him in terms of his achievements and his valor; “Valiant Othello…”. ( Act 1 Scene 3 Line 47 ) Unfortunately, Othello’s insecurity gets the better of him and he is moved to kill his wife in a fit of jealousy.

How do Iago and Roderigo describe Othello?

Iago and Roderigo describe Othello at the start of the play, without even naming him, using his racial difference to identify him, referring to him as “the Moor”, “an old black ram”. He is even referred to as “the thick lips”. It is generally the morally dubious characters who use his race as a reason to disparage him.

What is Othello's weakness?

Pride is also one of Othello’s weaknesses; for him, his wife’s alleged affair confounds his belief that he is a lesser man, that he cannot live up to her expectations and her position in society; her need for a conventional White man is a critical blow to his achieved position.

What is Othello's integrity?

Othello’s Integrity. One of Othello’s admirable qualities is that he believes that men should be transparent and honest as he is; “Certain, men should be what they seem” (Act 3 Scene 3 Line 134). This juxtaposition between Othello’s transparency and Iago’s duality identifies him as a sympathetic character despite his actions.

Who is Othello in love with?

Othello is clearly very much in love with Desdemona and in killing her he denies himself his own happiness; which heightens the tragedy. Iago’s true Machiavellian victory is that he orchestrates Othello having to take responsibility for his own downfall.

Does Iago hate Othello?

Iago’s hatred of Othello is profound; he does not employ him as his lieutenant and there is a suggestion that he bedded Emilia previous to his relationship with Desdemona. The relationship between Othello and Emilia is never corroborated but Emilia has a very negative opinion of Othello, possibly based on dealings with her own husband?