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A* Exemplar Essay on Revenge in ‘Othello’ - A Level English Literature
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An exemplar essay exploring the significance of revenge to the tragedy of ‘Othello.’
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Explore the significance of revenge to the tragedy of Othello.Revenge is a theme of key significance to the tragedy of ‘Othello.’ It is a
driving force of the tragedy, with Iago’s bitterness over lack of promotion
being one of the key reasons for him wanting revenge on Othello. This is
combined with his suspicion that “the Moor hath leapt into (his) seat,”
having slept with his wife. Furthermore, as Othello falls further from grace
his obsession with revenge drives him to murder his once beloved wife,
having conspired with the tragic villain, Iago, to murder both Desdemona
and Cassio. Lastly, the lack of desire for revenge in other characters,
highlights the abundance of such in others, such as Cassio who does not
“wish to deceive so good a commander” after he loses his position and
reputation, and Desdemona who remains loyal to her conniving husband
up until her last breath.
It is clear from the beginning of the play that revenge will be a driving
force of the tragic plot. It is suggested that Iago’s desire for revenge
stems from the fact that Othello has promoted Cassio, who “never set a
squadron in a field,” to the position of lieutenant instead of him. It is then
later revealed in a soliloquy that Iago suspects Othello has “done (his)
office” (slept with his wife, Emilia). Iago determines that “nothing can or
shall content (his) soul” until he is “evened with him, wife for wife,” with
his “revenge” being to send Othello “into a jealousy so strong that
judgement cannot cure.” Throughout the play, sexual jealousy is
associated with images of poison – Iago notes he will “pour this
pestilence” into Othello’s ear” and the image of needing a “cure”
suggests disease – suggesting Iago’s revenge to make Othello as jealous
as he is will not only corrupt his mind but also body and soul, as we see
when Othello falls into a fit. Iago’s desire for revenge is so strong that he
appears to have little care for the consequences. It might even be argued
that Iago becomes so set on revenge that he goes too far in his evil plot,
for even after he has become Othello’s lieutenant, and the two become
bound in a marriage-like ritual, he still encourages Othello to “strangle her
in her bed.” Perhaps, jealousy is too strong for judgement to cure, for
although Iago can clearly recognise when things have gotten out of hand
(such as when Cassio and Montano fight) he fails to practice self restraint
in his own plans of revenge.
Likewise, the start of Othello’s mental deterioration and desire revenge
marks the beginning of the rising action in the tragic arc, which serves to
compel the tragedy forwards. Once Iago recounts a tale of Desdemona
having dreamt of Cassio, Othello becomes consumed by sexual jealousy
and exclaims that he will “tear her all to pieces,” referring to his wife as a
“fair devil.” This suggests that Othello, in descending from grace into
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