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Describe a main conflict in a text you have studied and analyse how the
conflict helped the author present important ideas.

Arthur Miller once said that, Tragedy, then, is the consequence of mans
total compulsion to evaluate himself justly. In Othello written by William
Shakespeare, a main conflict is the external conflict between the tragic
protagonist, Othello and his wife Desdemona. Othellos conflicting
emotions and thoughts with Desdemona present the ideas of jealousy,
reputation, deception and isolation.

Manipulated by the ultimate Machiavellian villain Iago, Othellos conflict

with his love, Desdemona arises due to the jealousy within Iago. It is this
change in their relationship that catalyses the tragic outcome of Othellos
decision to murder his beloved, with whom he was irrevocably in love
with at the beginning. Heaven keep that monster from Othellos mind
Desdemona is aware of the green- eyed monster within Othello; it is
this jealousy that causes the downfall of Othello and therefore
Desdemona. Even though in the beginning, Othello thinks he is not a
jealous person, he becomes ruled by jealousy acting against his former
controlled self. This shows that jealousy appears to be an inherent human
trait, which can lie dormant until provoked, and no one is immune. When
the seeds of doubt and jealousy are planted by Iago, he changes with
poison. This suggests how much our friends can have control over our
opinions and actions regardless of the fact we are aware of it. Like
Othello, we can be influenced by people to become jealous and bitter
people. People may think that they are unable to succumb to jealousys
clutches but with a little manipulation and deceit, even the greatest men
can fall. He stops trusting Desdemona after he falls into jealousy so
strong; there is not a strong sense of time, commitment and trust to hold
the relationship together. Ay, let her rot and perish, and be damned
tonight, for she shall not live. O, the world hath not a sweeter creature!
Shakespeare teaches the audience that everyone is susceptible to the
powers of jealousy and even the ability to recognize its deceit.

The importance of reputation is explored as reputation often defines

characters and their relationships with one another, in this case Othello
and Desdemona. Initially, it is his reputation that Othello is confident in,
he is sure that his good services to Venice will protect him from
Brabantios wrath and will allow him to marry Desdemona. Let him do his
spite: My services shall out-tongue his complaints. Due to the
expectations for the behaviour of its members, society shows us the
importance of reputation, which may lead to people relying too much on
their reputation as opposed to other qualities. On the other hand, the
divine Desdemona has a reputation for being and obedient and virtuous
woman. Both being Iagos pawns, their reputations are destroyed but
regain these by the end of the play. Ironically, it is the characteristics that
create their reputations that are destroyed. (Desdemonas fidelity and
Othellos nobility.) As Othello's trust in Desdemona's love begins to wane,
his internal conflicts about his reputation grow deeper. Othellos
reputation was one of a responsible and respected military general. For
nought I did in hate, but all in honour. When Iago insinuates that Cassio
and Desdemona are having an affair, Othello is not concerned about the
relationship he has with Desdemona but rather his own tarnished
reputation. I will chop her into messes! Cuckhold me? Othellos
reputation does not allow him to confront Desdemona and resolve the
problems they are having. Men were fearful of being called a cuckold in
the Elizabethan times as women were like possessions, if they were
suspected of having an affair, it insinuated that she had the upper hand in
the relationship, and thus wounding the Moors pride. Being unable to
recognize the truth in reputations causes the loss of innocent lives such
as of Desdemona. The loss of reputation causes breakdowns in self-
esteem and causes selfish actions, ultimately leading to the deaths of the
two characters. Therefore, humanity is imperfect, and as we try to build
asup a reputation, it is important to remember that reputations are easily
destroyed when the truth is covered.

The handkerchief not only represents Desdemonas alleged infidelity but

also Othellos jealousy and a visual reminder of blindness caused by
passion. Iago says, Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations
strong as proofs holy writ. Such a small thing can trigger the break in a
relationship and Shakespeare also shows us that human relationships are
very fragile especially when we are blinded by other peoples opinions.
The relationship begins to turn toward an irreconcilable misunderstanding
as Othellos anger and wounded honour being to intensify through Iagos
machinations. Your napkin is too little By saying that the napkin is too
small shows the lost in trust towards Desdemona as he has been deceived
by Iago. Desdemona says, Believe me, I had rather have lost my purse
full of crusadoes: and, but my noble Moor as jealous creatures are, it
were enough to put him to ill thinking. Desdemona knows the worthiness
of the handkerchief; it is worth more than money because there is a
sentimental value behind it. The devastating nature of deceit is as
relevant today as it was in Elizabethan times. A flaw in Othellos character
is his ability to deceive himself, causing problems between him and
Desdemona. He believes he judges by the facts but he actually judges by
emotion. As he tells Iago to give him the ocular proof, he is frequently
convinced by things that he does not see. He relies on Iagos story of
seeing Cassio wipe his beard with Desdemonas handkerchief. Have you
not sometimes seen a handkerchief spotted with strawberries in your
wifes hands? Sigh and blindness are dualisms in Othello that reflect
Desdemona and Othello. As Othello feels compelled to kill Desdemona he
says, Yet she must die, else shell betray more men. Put out the light,
then put out the light. The light refers to the sight one can have,
however by putting out the light Othello is self destructing, he has been
blinded so much by Iago that he is willing to let his relationship with
Desdemona fade away like the light. In conclusion, Shakespeare
acknowledges that the inability to judge true from false is a common
human dilemma that we have faced some point in our lives. He
dramatizes the problem by showing the consequences of not having the
initiative to find sight, otherwise known as the truth.

The deaths of both Desdemona and Othello symbolize the isolation that
the Moor has placed himself in. Ironically, he has always been seen as an
outsider, however in Act 5, he purposely places himself in isolation. After
Desdemona tries to reinstate Cassio, Othello strikes Desdemona and
feeling helpless, she says, I will not stay to offend you. Society can
isolate those due to racial differences, however it is when people isolate
themselves that is the most dangerous. Like Othello, they will shut
themselves from the world, attempting to solve their problems on their
own, yet failing because without proper communication, problems cannot
magically disappear. In addition, the way in which Desdemona was
murdered is also symbolic. A pillow smothered her on her bed, which
covered her wedding sheets. This suggests she has literally been
suffocated by the demands of a woman in marriage in the Elizabethan
era. Her death in his hands becomes a universal symbol and warning to
the audience of what happens in a relationship when it is clouded by
mistrust, unrealistic expectations and reliance on other peoples opinions.
One will ultimately smother the other. Later in the play, Desdemona still
forgives Othello for even murdering her, demonstrating her maintenance
of her compassionate and loving nature. Regardless of Othellos irrational
behaviour she still loves him unconditionally. When Emilia asks, who
hath done this deed?, Desdemona replies, Nobody: I myself. Farewell.
Thus, helping us, the audience forgives Othello of his tragic act (pathos).
As Desdemona detaches herself from Othello in order to protect him, it
shows the break in their relationship that isolation has affected. In
Othellos catharsis at the end, Shakespeare, O cursed, cursed slave!
Whip me, from the possessions of the heavenly sight! Blow me about the
winds! Roast me in sulphur!...O Desdemona, Desdemona dead! O! O! O!
then, I will kill thee, and love thee after. Othello in his own will has tried
to solve his problem, he regrets murdering her, and however the stage of
Desdemonas death must be obtained in order for Othello to see his true
nature, for the stage of purification. He then kills himself as the final
stage of cleansing, finally restoring order back to the Venetian city as he
eliminates himself as the outsider forever. It is through the conflict of
isolation between the lovers that Othello finally learns that isolation can
have extreme consequences and people need to be open minded and
accepting.

Ben Jonson a playwright wrote, a man not just for an age, but for all
time. Shakespeares vast impact on literature and his continued
influence on ideas help the audience understand not only the Elizabethan
era but also human behaviour in a deeper way. As binary opposites, the
conflict between Othello and Desdemona show the audience on the
importance of reputation and how it impacts and individuals self esteem,
the power of jealousy, the deceptive nature of people and the tragedy in
isolating oneself. Othello is a story where one loved not wisely but too
well and threw a pearl away richer than all his tribe.
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