Essay
A* Exemplar Essay on Revenge in ‘Othello’ - A Level English Literature
- Module
- Aspects of Tragedy
- Institution
- AQA
An exemplar essay exploring the significance of revenge to the tragedy of ‘Othello.’
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
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
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller MrsEmerson. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £7.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
67474 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now