Othello and the theme of friendship in the play Essay

Friendship is a special bond among two or much people. This relationship is built on the basis of trust, loyalty and honesty. In the dawdle Othello, Shakespeare demonstrates these qualities through many an(prenominal) of his characters to portray their deep intimacys. However as the play progresses these friends turn into foes as many problems occur in their friendships and catch up with to many tragic events. The negative qualities that rupture these friendships apart are distrust, narcissisticness and jealousy that led many of the characters to their tragedies. In the play Othello, Shakespeare demonstrates that there are many causes of the problems that occur in certain friendships.In Shakespeares Othello, many friendships showed a lack of trust which resulted into many tragic events. This negative quality is repeatedly found in the character of Othello. Shakespeare wrote the relationship between Othello and Cassio to be that of friendship that consists of loyalty and hone sty. The conflict between these two characters arose as Iago send offts seeds of doubt into Othellos mind about Cassios loyalty towards him. Othellos trust in his friend Cassio was like a thin thread. It was very easy for Iago to pursue in his evil plans, for there was a lack of trust in their friendship. Iago manipulates Othello into believing that his honest married woman Desdemona is having an affair with the loyal surrogate Cassio. Although Iago unwraps no form of physical evidence, his convincing words are strong passable to allow such vivid thoughts to enter Othellos mind.As Iago assures to OthelloIt is infeasible you should see this,Were they as prime as goats, as hot as mnkeys,As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as grossAs ignorance made sot. (3.3.402-405)Iago uses such intense imagery of Desdemona and Cassio sleeping together, that it forces Othello to be enraged with such anger at Cassios betrayal. After falling into Iagos trap and believing his picaresque word s, Othello saysWithin these three days let me hear thee sayThat Cassios non alive. (3.3.472-473)All the anger and jealousy of betrayal that Othello feels, due to the mistrust between Othello and Cassio, leads Othello to plan the murder of lieutenant Cassio. The lack of trust between Othello and Cassio is also shown subsequently the fight between Cassio and Roderigo took place. Othellos distrust in Cassio led Othello to retrieve Iagos words.He also took the fact that Cassio was drunk as a major flaw in him and instantly dismissed him from his position as lieutenant, notgiving Cassio an opportunity to defend himself in full consciousness. Othellos distrust in Cassio is displayed when he believes that lieutenant Cassio would be at taint for a deed, which he did not intentionally commit. Othello announces,I know, Iago,Thy honesty and fill in doth mince this matter,Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love theeBut never more be officer of mine. (2.3.225-228)This announcement is made while Cassio is still drunk during this sentence he is not in a suitable state to defend him self. The lack of trust in the relationship of Othello and Cassio leads to tragic and heartsick events.The Shakespearean play Othello carries many different causes of problems between the characters of the play. Many time throughout the play selfishness is displayed as a cause to many of the tragic events that occur, as many of the characters did things for their own realize. A heavy(p) amount of selfishness is shown in many of Iagos relationships. His relationship with his wife Emilia would be advantageously only when Emilia would do something for Iago. Although Emilia is aware of this, she is willing to do any favours for him, even picking up Desdemonas handkerchief because Iago asked her too. Iagos selfishness allows him to use his own wife for his evil banks of persuading Othello.I am beamy I have found this napkinThis was her first remembrance from the Moor.My unregenerate hu sband hath a hundred timesWood me to steal it but she so loves the token,For he conjured her she should ever keep it,That she reserves it evermore about herTo caress and talk to. Ill have the work taen outAnd givet Iago what he will do with itHeaven knows, not II nothing but to please his fantasy. (3.3.290-299)To take his selfish plan further, Iago uses his wife Emilias loyalty to his own advantage. During the time Emilia unplowed the handkerchief in her hands, Iagos speech towards Emilia was very different.A good wench give it me. (3.3.313)Wench is an informal word to describe a young woman. Throughout the play it is showed that Iago believed women areprostitutes and work at night. Iagos use but dislike in women establishes his selfishness. Shakespeare demonstrates Iagos selfish desires to be rank a higher position, through many events. Selfishness was portrayed by the character of Iago with his friend Roderigo as well. Iago advised Roderigo to send Desdemona some jewels and gold by Iago, to gain Desdemona, his ex-fianc back. Later it is found out that Iago never did enter the gifts to Desdemona, but had kept it for himself.Iago even asks Roderigo to instigate a quarrel between Roderigo and Cassio, which would lead to the dismissal of Cassios position, as Cassio was drunk and all burden would fall on him. Iago continued to use Roderigo, as he states, indeed do I ever energise my fool my purseFor I mine own gaind knowledge should profaneIf I would time expend with such a snipeBut for my sport and profit. (1.3.372-375)Iagos selfishness leads him to use Rodrigo to his benefit and advantage, not caring for the damage and emotional stress it must comprise Rodrigo. Iagos selfishness leads this friendship to Rodrigos own tragedy.Jealousy is something that can make a person do anything. Shakespeares play Othello establishes how jealousy tore many of the friendships apart. The friendship between Iago and Othello was greatly affected by the jealousy Iago felt tow ards him, because of Othellos high rank and power Othello holds a great reputation in Cyprus. Iago also wanted position and carried a desire to be lieutenant. He befriended Othello so thinking he may get the position, but Othello gave the position to the loyal and capable Cassio, also Othellos friend. Iago believed Othello slept with his wife Emilia, which caused a lot of jealousy and anger within Iago. Iago was jealous that his wife Emilia slept with Othello, so he decided to give Othello the said(prenominal) trauma. arouse him, Make after him, poison his delight,Proclaim him in the streets, Incense her kinsmen,And though he in a fertile climate dwell,Plague him with flies though that his wallow be joy,Yet throw such changes of vexation ont,As it may relapse some colour. (1.1.69-73)Iagos jealousy caused him to do and plot evil and selfish deeds that would lead to many tragic events. Iago disliked Cassio for the same power he disliked Othello a higher rank. Instead of Iago, Cas sio was appointed lieutenant by Othello this causedCassio to have a higher position. Iago speaks to Roderigo about Othellos conclusiveness and states,the better shall my purpose work on him.Cassios a proper man, Let me see nowTo get his place, and to plumpe up my willIn double dishonesty -How, how?- Lets see- (1.3.380-384)It is now evident Iago is jealous and wants retaliation on both these characters, due to what he feel they have do to him. Iago believes Othello overlooked him and choose Cassio as lieutenant, and Cassio took over him and accepted that position.Throughout the play Othello Shakespeare establishes many causes of the problems that occur between many friendships. It is clearly shown that many of the characters created by Shakespeare in Othello carried a lack of trust among each other. Many of the same characters were noticed as selfish characters. These characters would do anything to achieve what they desire and extensive for, would take advantage of anything th at would benefit them. Jealousy was also a indication discovered as a cause of many problems. Jealousy was the master(prenominal) cause of most of the tragic events that occurred throughout the play of Othello. Shakespeares Othello creates a high understanding of the nature of human relationships.BibliographyOthello by William Shakespeare