Led Right Virtually Anyone Who Reads Shakespeare\'s

¶ … Led Right

Virtually anyone who reads Shakespeare's tragedy Othello readily notices that despite his noble nature and good intentions, the title character of this work, Othello, is plagued by numerous faults which eventually lead to not only his own downfall, but also to that of his wife. Shakespeare portrays Othello as a good hearted man who is prone to fits of both anger and illness. However, his primary fault is his overall credulousness which, when combined with his previously mentioned faults, leaves him highly susceptible to the machinations of Iago -- one whose evil intentions a more discerning leader would have detected. It is due to Iago's intricate planning that Othello eventually believes that Desdemona is unfaithful to him, and kills her for that perceived transgression. However, all of Iago's cunningness would have gone for naught had Othello endeavored to be less gullible and trusting. Ultimately, it was this credulousness that Iago was able to exploit that resulted in Othello's murder of his beloved wife, Desdemona.

There are several instances in this dramatic work in which Othello's gullible nature rears itself and trusts blindly in the words of Iago. However, in order to truly demonstrate the fact that Othello's credulousness is his principle fault throughout the duration of this play, it is necessary to analyze Iago's plans for the former's destruction in order to see what role Othello's trusting nature plays in it. The following quotation suggests that Othelllo's gullible nature factored considerably in the Iago's machinations for him.

…to abuse Othello's ear

That he is too familiar with his wife.

The Moor is of a free and open nature,

That thinks men honest that but seem so,

And will as tenderly be led by the nose

As asses are. (Shakespeare, Act I Scene III).

This quotation demonstrates the fact that Iago is planning to make Othello believe that Cassio is committing acts of infidelity with Desdemona. More importantly, it illustrates how integral Othello's "nature," which is highly trusting and gullible, is to this plan. Iago believes Othello can be "led" the way that "asses are." This simile compares the Iago's planned manipulation of Othello to the literal way men can manipulate the behavior of brute animal. Iago will not literally manipulate Othello's thoughts and actions by his "nose," but instead will rely upon his principle fault -- that of being too gullible to produce the same effect.

Further examinations of the actions and thoughts of the characters in Othello emphasize the fact that the title character's principle fault that contributed to the death of his wife was his credulousness. A few brief exchanges of conversation with Iago are enough to place Othello's faith, which should have firmly entrenched itself with Desdemona, in the lying words of his rival. The following quotation demonstrates how easily Othello's love turned to hate because he was too easily swayed by Iago's machinations.

…Look here, Iago;

All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.

'Tis gone.

Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!

Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne

To tyrannous hate!

The context of this quotation is of immense importance to the correct interpretation of this passage. Iago has just told Othello that Cassio has spoken about Desdemona in dream, and that he has seen circumstantial evidence that alludes to her infidelity with him. None of these statements have been substantiated. And yet, the trusting Moor is ready eradicate his "fond love" for his wife, and exert "hate" and "black vengeance" upon her -- all due to the fact that he is blindly (and erroneously) trusting the words of Iago due to the former's gullible nature.