Duplicitous Characters in Othello :: GCSE Coursework Shakespeare Othello

Duplicitous Characters in Othello   Many of the characters in Shakespeares tragedy, Othello are duplicitous to the extent that how they are perceive in public is not how they be keep in private. This is not always intentional, although with a character such as Iago, it is difficult to encounter the real someone as his entire life is an act. Othello is seen as a brave and loyal soldier, but is initially presented as dark and dangerous by Roderigo and Iago. To Brabantio, Othello appears to have blacken magical powers, but in fact, the private truth is that Othello won Desdemona with stories of disastrous chances ... moving accidents and hair-breadth scapes. Othello is concerned with his reputation and upholds a strict code of honour twain privately and publicly. He dismisses Cassio as soon as he discovers his officers drunken actions. Similarly, as soon as he suspects Desdemona of adultery, Othello watches her like a hawk. Finally, the act of cleansing his wife is not an act of revenge for Othello, but of justice. He justifies his actions She must die, else shell betray more men. Emilia initially believes that he killed Desdemona for no case as Desdemona has appeared innocent to her throughout. It is difficult to judge Iagos private morality against his public face. Firstly, his public face varies depending with whom he is speaking. Secondly, analysing Iagos private morality is challenging when he appears to have no morals in the first place. Iago is jealous of many people for various, often unjustifiable, reasons, yet at the same time is known to most as honest Iago and is their apparent friend. He appears to be loyal to Othello, helping him to discover his wifes infidelity, but concurrently is plotting against Othello. It is again difficult to determine Iagos public face as he is always acting and his face depends on his company. He has no qualms about embroiling innocent parties in his plans. Iago can act as Desdemonas friend when Othello leave s her in his charge and then Iago turns around and plants seeds of suspicion in Othellos mind about her fidelity. While Desdemona appears to be all that is good to the audience, it must be remembered that she betrayed her fathers trust when she married Othello and she later lied to her husband about the handkerchief which was to become so important. To Othello, Desdemona appears to be that cunning whore of Venice.