Hello all,
In Act 3 of Othello, we see Iago "pouring pestilence" into Othello's ear by initially hinting at the possibility that Desdemona has been carrying on an affair with Cassio, Othello's former officer. Othello's soliloquy at roughly the midpoint of Act 3, scene 3 reveals that Othello himself sees his skin color, his lack of a Venetian education and his age (he's older than Desdemona by a significant number of years) are factors that would cause Desdemona to cheat on him. It's been established through class discussion that Othello is insecure.
Your assignment is to think about the origin of Othello's insecurity. The following are suggestions that could be the origin of Othello's insecurity. Select one of the suggestions and post a comment in which you discuss why this selected suggestion could be the origin of Othello's insecurity. Please refer to one SPECIFIC example from the play to support your response. Feel free to also refer to examples outside of the text but you must refer and discuss at least one example from the play.
The suggestions are:
A) Othello's relationship with Desdemona is his first relationship, which means his experience and interaction with women is very limited.
B) Othello is aware that Desdemona is very beautiful and questions why she chose him when there have been previous suitors and marriage proposals from other men who are more "appropriate" and proper.
C) Another suggestions of your choice.
Responses are due Sunday, April 10th by 7:00 PM.
Best,
Benitez
PS: Please "sign" your name at the bottom of your responses so I can easily credit who posted and who didn't (This because some of you chose creative user names that do not directly identify who you are). Thank you.
Othello's insecurities form when he begins to question her about why she chose him over the other guys. Othello begins to question her because he does not know whether to take Iago's information into consideration or not. He is afraid of what could happen, so by questioning her he is learning more and more about her. By doing this, he would also learn why she chose him over to hear if she truly likes him or not.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Othellos insecurity originated from Iago. In my opinion Othello was confident in his relationship with Desdemona before Iago started "pouring pestilence” into his ear. Othello trusted her so much that when Brabantio told him that if she can betray her father, she will betray him; Othello put his life that Desdemona would never do that. The thought of Desdemona cheating on him never even crossed his mind until Iago started taking those little actions and making them seem like something was really going on between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago made all of Othellos confidence disappear and that’s when Othello started questioning whether Desdemona still loves him and if she has an affair with Cassio. This also is the starting point where Othello started searching for flaws in himself in which would make Desdemona want to cheat on him.
ReplyDelete-firaz ali
From what we have read and discussed in class, I believe that Othello's insecurities come from the fact that he lacks interaction with women. He lacks confidence in himself causing him to feel that he doesn't fit the position of what every girl wants. Othello is also aware of his color and the fact that he is much older than Desdemona, which he states in Act 3 scene 3. If Othello didn't lack confidence in himself maybe even after what Iago told him (Desdemona having a affair with Cassio) he probably would have loved her but since he's not confident in himself, it causes him to have insecurities.
ReplyDelete- Gurjit Kaur
I believe that Othello's insecurities came from Iago. I think this because Othello had little to no doubt about his relationship with Desdemona until Iago started filling his head with negative thoughts. At first Othello knew that Desdemona would go so far as betraying her father to be with him. After hearing what Iago had to say about her, his confidence in their relationship started going downhill because he is convinced there's a chance she'll cheat on him.
ReplyDelete- Rashad Rahman
I believe in my own opinion that Othello's insecurities came from Iago and his own mind because when Iago started saying things about his women Othello believed what Iago was saying. Othello says why would Desdemona pick me over others. I am a older man and not proper. He questions himself because he feels that he is different then everyone else. This shows that Othello does not have confidence in himself and that is why he doubts his marriage with Desdemona. That is why now he believes that Desdemona is cheating on him and this will continue until he gains his confidence back.
ReplyDelete- Jason Edison
Othello's insecurities originated from himself and Iago putting all these thoughts in his head has pushed his insecurity to another level. As we have read and discussed in class, Othello was partially insecure because he was way older than his wife Desdemona and the color of his skin. Othello probably had in the back of his mind the thought of why she chose him over any other guy that was "socially" better for her. When Iago started telling Othello that there can be a possibility of Desdemona having an affair with Cassio, Othello started to feel more doubtful. Cassio was known as the younger, proper, and more flirtatious and this is a reason why Othello may believe this is true. Othello is letting his insecurities get the best of him because if he truly believed that Desdemona really loved him and would pick him over any other guy, then she shouldn't worry about it all and have trust in her that she will be loyal and faithful to him.
ReplyDelete-Roy Buckley
Othello's insecurities are getting to him because of what he's hearing from Iago. Iago is telling Othello all these false assumptions and he is leaning to the fact that Desdemona is cheating on him. i believe that Iago is trying to spoil the relationship between Othello and Desdemona. Iago was telling Othello that Desdemona was cheating on him, possibly with Cassio and Othello doesn't want to believe him but he leans more and more to the fact that she is having an affair with another man. It's going to be hard to gain Desdemona's trust back because he believes what Iago is telling him is true. Othello's swagger is low and he doesn't trust Desdemona because of what he's getting told by Iago. His insecurities that he is facing is leading towards his downfall.
ReplyDelete- Dom Edsion
I think that othellos insecurities came from iagos manipulations. After he learns everything that has happened from iago he begins to not only doubt cassio but his wife desdemona as well. Othello never even thinks that desdemona could be cheating on him until iago plants the thoughts into his head. Although othello does question why she would ever choose him over other men.
ReplyDeleteMike..
I believe that Othello's insecurities where always there and Iago's lies and manipulations just made him remember what he always had a problem with. Iago brought doubt to Othello and with this he had no choice but to pick out little things that are wrong with him that Desdemona probably doesn't even realize as a problem. The tiny doubt that was planted in Othello's mind just made him think of what he "knows" is wrong with him compared to all the other guys that Desdemona could've went with. Othello also sees Desdemona as perfect and all the good qualities that she has, he probably compares her to himself and sees that he can't live up to perfection as she does, so she is looking for someone who does.
ReplyDelete-Jona Kerluku
I believe that Othello's insecurities are due to the fact that he is older and it seems that he may be inadequate for the younger Desdemona. I believe that Othello see's other possible suitors for Desdemona to chose,younger men that would be able to satisfy her.
ReplyDeleteSammy F.