‘The bond between Othello and Iago is stronger than the love between Othello and
Desdemona’. Discuss how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Othello
and Iago in this extract and elsewhere in the play. (25/25 - 2023 A-level exam)
Examiners comment: A sharp, perceptive and intellectually lively response, arguing throughout that
all relationships in the play are weak. Refreshingly original and enjoyable to read, the candidate
should be proud of an exceptional response under pressure. Band 5 upper.
Shakespeare's Jacobean tragic play, 'Othello', centres on the relationship between Othello
and Desdemona and its decline. Although at the start it can perhaps be seen as the
strongest relationship in the play, partially due to lago's manipulation yet also the underlying
fragileness their relationship was built on, their relationship falls. Thus, the strength of
Othello's relationship with lago increases and on the surface appears strong to Othello -
although this is not the case. Therefore, it can be argued that Othello and lago's relationship
is not stronger than the love between Othello and Desdemona, yet this is also because
Desdemona's relationship is also not very strong either.
At the start of the play, Shakespeare presents the romantic bond between Desdemona and
Othello to be extremely strong - stronger than the bond between him and lago. Unlike other
relationships from the 17th century which were more a transaction, Desdemona and Othello
marry for love - which subverts patraiarchal expectations. Desdemona even goes as far as
defying her father Brabantio to be with Othello with her assertiveness, rather than complying
with her father's wishes as she is expected to do, reinforcing how strong their relationship is
as she stakes her reputation on it. This is especially true as Othello is a 'moor' (whom
Shakespeare previously portrayed as an antagonist, like Aaron in 'Titus Andronicus' Vand
interacial marriages were not accepted in their society. Likewise, Othello is shown to have
strong trust in Desdemona. When in front of a court of powerful Venetian men, he liberates
her by allowing her to talk - which arguably can be seen as proto-feminist Here, he puts his
"life upon her faith', which shows immense trust in her as if she said he forced her into a
relationship he would be killey. Moreover, Shakespeare continues this through his use of
blank verse and shared iambic pentameter between the couple - reflecting their respect for
eachother and presenting them as one, and a strong couple. They repeatedly use
affectionate, euphonic phrases of endearment such as "my dear sweeting", "gentle
Desdemona", or "my noble moor" his is especially emphasised with Othello who publicly
promulgates his love and is emotionally vulnerable - unlike what his masculine gender role in
Jacobean patraichal society promotes. Therefore, it is clear that before the influence of lago,
Othello and Desdemona's relationship is a strong one that is built on trust, respect and
romantic affcetion - much stronger than Othello's relationship with lago.
However, arguably this is only the case on the surface - so by Act 3 his relationship with lago
can be seen as stronger. This is clearly exemplified by how 'she [Desdemona] loved me
[Othello) for the danger's I had passed and I loved her that she did pity them', which implies
that Desdemona's love for Othello is of pity and Othello's is due to this - suggesting a weak
foundation Similarly, the underlying subtext of Shakespeare's positive language the
charcaters both use towads each other can be seen as violent and possesive on Othello's
pari. For instance, Othello calling Desdemona a 'prize' and 'O my fair warrior' seems
positive, implying Desdemona is an object to be worshipped and masculinises her to reflect
her strength as battling her father and society to be in a relationship with him. Yet, arguably
the underlying meaning is more sinister as Shakespeare presents Othello as objectifying
Desdemona as a 'prize', alongside not being able to seperate love and war in his language
Consequently, this foreshadows his violent language in the extract.
Here, Shakespeare shifts his language to now contrastingly talking in prose and shorter
sentences. For example, his cosonant exclamations such as 'I'll tear her all to pieces!' or in
another scne 'I'll chop her into messes', while retorical, it is still extremely violent and
