Misfortune in Othello

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Misfortune in Othello

Often people come to harm due to victimization, while others are the agents of their own destruction. In Shakespeare’s famous play Othello, all characters associated with the protagonist suffer a tragic end. Othello is a prime example of depicting various characters and how each comes to demise due to a personal critical weakness. The three most unfortunate characters: Roderigo, Desdemona and Othello have qualities that best demonstrate how they bring their individual misfortune upon themselves.
Roderigo opens up the play in Othello with lines that already develop his character. “That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thing, shouldst know of this.” (1.1.2-3) The quote shows by inference that Roderigo has from prior to the beginning of the play exchanged large sums of money with Iago for a promise he has not satisfied. This demonstrates how Roderigo is already letting his trusting nature become a weakness to Iago’s manipulation. Roderigo is particularly vulnerable and an easy target for Iago due to his undying love for Desdemona: “I confess it is my shame to be so fond, but it is not in my virtue to amend it.” (1.3.317-318) His passion makes him blind, and in his desperation to seek Desdemona’s love, he easily obeys Iago’s orders, and even acts out of his character. “What, ho, Branbantio! Signior Branbantio, ho!”(1.1.80) Roderigo’s unruly behaviour is unusual for his status, as the son from an aristocratic family. He follows Iago’s orders without hesitation showing how his heart is ruling over his head. Roderigo’s poor judgement during decision-making continues to hurt him as the play progresses. Twice, he begins to stray from Iago’s plans but gets pulled back in. The line: “It is silliness to live when to live is torment, and then have we a prescription to die when death is physician.” (1.3. 309-310) proves that
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