FREE ESSAY ON THE THEME OF REVENGE IN OTHELLO

THE THEME OF REVENGE IN OTHELLO

The Theme of Revenge in Othello
Revenge is a constant theme throughout the play Othello. It is portrayed through the
character Iago. Iago is determined to destroy Othello and his loved ones. This
retribution is a
result of Othello promoting Cassio to the position of lieutenant. The theme of revenge is
the
motivation of Iago's hatred toward Othello.
In the beginning of the play, Iago feels betrayed by his good friend, Othello. Through
many years of loyalty and service Iago is "[i]n personal suit to make [himself]
[Othello's]
lieutenant"(39). When Othello has to choose his lieutenant, he appoints Cassio. Iago
feels hurt
and betrayed, and realizes "there [is] no remedy"(40) except for revenge. He ". . .
hate[s] the
Moor . . . "(63) and comes to the conclusion that " . . . nothing can or shall content
[his] soul
[t]ill [he is] evened with [Othello] . . . "(76). In an attempt for revenge, Iago
publically humiliates
Brabantio at Othello's expense. In the middle of the night, Iago calls outside
Brabantio's house
to inform him that his daughter, Desdemona has run away and eloped with Othello. Coming
from
two different backgrounds, Desdemona's father takes offense to their interracial
marriage. This
demeans Othello and causes him to prove to Brabantio that he did not use any witchcraft
or black
magic to win Desdemona's heart. When Desdemona professes her true love for Othello, her
father disowns her. Iago's first attempt to destroy Othello is successful, yet he still
craves
revenge. He devises a plan to destroy Othello. He wants to make Othello believe that
Cassio is
having an affair with his wife Desdemona. This will cause Othello to regret appointing
Cassio as
his lieutenant and simultaneously destroy Othello's life. He knows that he "must bring
this
monstrous birth to the world's light"(64) if he wants to avenge Othello's betrayal. Iago
is
successful in convincing Othello that his wife is unfaithful. Outraged, Othello murders
Desdemona. Immediately after, Emilia, Iago's wife and Desdemona's "mistress"(156),
explains
to Othello that her husband has been lying to him and Desdemona had been faithful. Iago
then
murders Emilia. Iago succeeds in destroying Othello's life as well as his own.
In summation, Iago consumes his life with hatred and vengeance. Revenge is one of the
main themes in this play. It drives Iago to do many irrational things and destroys
Iago's
friendship with Othello, the love Desdemona and Othello shared, and the trust between
Cassio
and Othello. The need for revenge is part of human nature, but if it is blown out of
proportion, it
can have devastating effects.