Othello Victim or Villain?

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Othello Victim or Villain?
Ask a literature student to name the most morally reprehensible character they know of, and almost without fail, the name Iago from William Shakespeare's play, Othello, the Moor of Venice will come up. In fact, most would agree that Iago is, without a doubt, the villain of this dramatic tragedy; but is he really? Clarity of mind and a willingness to transcend normal reasoning is necessary for one to discover the true villain in this memorable tragedy. Most readers make a superficial assessment of two of the central characters: Iago and Othello. Analysis by its very nature requires one to reject the simple and convenient. It is a fact that Iago is a villainous man and a vital part of the tragedy this play becomes but he is not the real villain. Deeper consideration, coupled with an open mind, shows the truth, Othello is the actual villain. While lacking in malice of forethought he nonetheless allows himself to attain the status of murderer because he is conceited, jealous and emotionally dishonest.
Conceited is not one of the adjectives most commentators use when speaking of Othello, yet conceited he is. Even as the scenes unfold it becomes increasingly evident that Othello is headed to a fall of dynamic proportions due to his enormous ego. First, he is aware that he is a warrior of high degree, capable of wielding a sword in hand to hand combat, and equally adept at marshaling troops and drawing lines of battle. These qualities propelled him to the top of the military defenses of the city of Venice, and into the limelight of its social elite. It was military expertise, which gave him a lofty status, and it is this same prowess, which gives him his conceit. While being informed by Iago of Brabantio's threats he says, "Let him do his spite: My services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints" (1509). He exudes a
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