Essay/Term paper: The mood of othello

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Book Reports

The Mood of Othello Othello is a play that evokes many

emotions from a reader"s mind. The mood is changing, yet

throughout, it demands a lot of contempt for the villain, Iago.

Beginning with act one, there is an immediate setting for

suspicion which will remain characteristic throughout the

whole story. There is a touch of happiness for the

newlyweds, Othello and Desdemona, which quickly

disintegrates with the mighty villains lies and deceit. There is

a feeling of empathy for Othello when his extreme, yet falsely

founded jealousy causes him to lose his mind, and his

beloved wife. The mood is sad and frustrating when poor

innocent Desdemona is being punished for a crime she didn"t

commit. And at the end there is a slight feeling of satisfaction

that Iago"s plan was revealed, yet the mood is

overwhelmingly depressing because Othello and Desdemona

both suffered severely and died. Iago introduces suspicion in

the very first scene. He is discussing how he hates Othello,

yet he must feign loyalty for his position. This is already a

clue to the reader that Iago cannot be trusted. This feeling of

mistrust is vital in the mood of the play because it is most

ironic that Othello trusts Iago as much as to murder his own

wife. This ironic plot creates a frustrating feeling for the

reader which is felt throughout the play. The mood is tense

when we find out that Brabantio is angry that Othello has

taken his daughter. He is determined that Othello must have

tricked Desdemona into loving him. Othello defends his love

for her, and she in turn vows her love for him. This situation

of a forbidden relationship is romantic, it makes the reader

feel a great deal of respect and happiness for their mutual

love. When Iago begins poisoning Othello"s mind with false

suspicion of Desdemona"s fidelity, the mood is extremely

frustrating. The reader is aware of Iago"s lies, yet Othello is

being easily led to believe them. This also evokes anger

towards Iago, he is evil in his constant lying, yet he is

referred to by Othello as kind and honest. This irony is

painful to the reader because it is so blatant. Othello"s

extreme jealousy causes the reader a combination of

emotions. Jealousy is a very painful emotion, and the reader

sympathizes with Othello. Yet, since the reader is aware of

the falseness in the roots of the jealousy, they feel a little

disgusted by how easily Othello is being tricked. He is

introduced as such a rational and strong man, yet the evil

Iago is so easily deceiving him. The mood is tragic when we

see that Iago"s plan has worked and the poor Desdemona is

his unknowing victim. She is lovingly faithful to Othello, and

is confused and hurt by his false accusations. This makes the

reader begin to dislike Othello for his irrational, cruel

persecution of his loving wife. Still, we know the blame

belongs to Iago, and our hostile feelings towards him are

stronger than ever. As well as Desdemona, Cassio and

Roderigo are also unexpecting victims to Iago"s schemes.

They all assume Iago"s honesty, while in fact he is exploiting

and using them as his pawns in his deceitful plotting. The

mood in the acts IV, and V are continuously dreadful.

Othello has been driven mad by Iago"s insisting

conversations of Desdemona"s affair with Cassio. Othello"s

expresses his undeniable murderous thoughts which are

rooted in his raging jealousy when he compares them to the

current of the Pontic Sea, Whose icy current and compulsive

course Ne"er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on... Even so

my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, Shall ne"er look

back, ne"er ebb to humble love, Till that a capable and wide

revenge Swallow them up. Now, by yond marble heaven, In

due reverence of a sacred vow I here engage my words.

(3.3.502-510) The reader understands his pain, and longs

for the truth to relieve it. On the contrary, Iago"s plan to

expose Cassio in front of Othello works perfectly. When

Othello secretly observes Cassio"s mistress with the

handkerchief, he finally is completely convinced of the affair.

He declared revenge for his lost love and pride, and has

decides that death shall be the punishment for both Cassio

and Desdemona. The ending of the story is disastrous, and

the reader is devastated when Desdemona, while pleading

her innocence, is murdered by the jealously insane Othello.

Othello is tragically surprised when he finally realizes, a

minute too late, that he was wrong and Desdemona had

been faithful. Iago"s lies were all uncovered by his wife

Emilia, and Iago kills her for speaking the truth. Othello

finally discovers Iago"s rotten lies, and denounces him as a

villain. Unfortunately this realization is too late, and he has

destroyed his own fate. Othello kills himself in shame. The

reader has a small feeling of justification that Iago was

exposed, yet the mournful mood prevails since Othello,

Desdemona, and Emilia, were all robbed of their happiness,

and ultimately their lives for the lies that Iago told.