Othello Outline

Prompt: Othello is described as many things: “an honorable murderer” (V.ii.345); a “rash and unfortunate man” (V.ii.333); a “dolt, as ignorant as dirt” (V.ii.199-200); and “one that loved not wisely but too well” (V.ii.404). Decide on one of these descriptions and argue against the others.

Othello is best described as a “rash and unfortunate man” (V.ii.333) man, because more than any other cause, his tragic downfall can be attributed his personal insecurities and strong emotions.

1. The description of Othello as an “an honorable murderer” (V.ii.345) is inaccurate because while he thought that he was carrying out justice by killing Desdemona, his actions up to that point show that he was distressed to the point that all morality was discarded.
1. "Ah balmy breath, that dost almost persuade Justice to break her sword!"
2. "Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men"
2. Othello cannot simply be dismissed as a “dolt, as ignorant as dirt” (V.ii.199-200) because he was so thoroughly fooled by Iago. His feelings were dramatically altered by his own fear and uncertainty, which Iago preyed upon to great effect. 
1. "Rude am I in my speech, And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace"
2. "And say besides, that in Aleppo once,Where a malignant and a turban'd TurkBeat a Venetian and traduced the state"
3. The tragedy of Othello and Desdemona's marriage does not occur simply because Othello was "one that loved not wisely but too well" (V.ii.404). No flaw is apparent in their relarionship that was not induced by Iago.
1.  "So much I challenge that I may profess Due to the Moor my lord"
2. "I fear, My soul hath her content so absolute That not another comfort like to this Succeeds in unknown fate."
4. All other options having been eliminated, Othello is best described as a "rash and unfortunate man" (V.ii.333). His emotions are quick to change when he is given justification to a feeling, but unfortunately he is manipulated by his trusted companion Iago.
1.  "As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain Some horrible conceit: if thou dost love me, Show me thy thought"
2. "Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne To tyrannous hate!"