This entire play is the fault of both Iago, and Othello.
Why Iago? If you don’t understand why Iago is to blame, you truly did not understand the play and you need to read it again.
Iago is the person that EVERYONE hates. He is literally a psychopath. He is the reason this play, is a play! He is the reason of the rising action, climax, falling action, and the resolution.
Although he is one of the most hated people ever, it’s hard not to like him. The way he lies and cheats his way through this entire tragedy leaves you in awe. He is so smart--it’s shocking how fast he can come up with a lie right on the spot, AND NEVER GETS CAUGHT.
The way he brings Desdemona and Cassio into the problem is so aggravating. The way he uses the scarf is so greedy “I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin And let him find it” (Othello, Act lll, Scene lll). The handkerchief is Othello's most prised possession, which he gave to Desdemona. It’s been handed down through his family, and it is sort of breaking tradition that he is giving it to Desdemona. It makes it almost impossible for Othello not to believe Iago after finding this “evidence” even though IT IS A LIE. If Iago would’ve just addressed Othello about the problem and talked to him about his jealousy, Desdemona would still be alive, Othello wouldn’t have completely lost his mind, and Cassio still could’ve been playing girls and loving his life. Moral of the story, Iago sucks.
Why Othello? You may be asking yourself... “WHAT?!?! OTHELLO?!?! He was the one that was lied to and played!”
But…
He is so dramatic! Come on dude, that’s your wife! Iago may be your best friend, but you need to trust Desdemona too. If you don’t trust your significant other, then you have a weak relationship.
It wasn’t until he killed Desdemona that he told her what Iago told him “That handkerchief Which I so loved, and gave thee, thou gav’st to Cassio” (Othello, Act V, Scene ll). All his anger was so built up that he didn’t even give Desdemona the chance to talk, literally, he strangled her. He just wanted her dead because he was so mad at her when in reality, SHE DIDN'T EVEN SAY ANYTHING.
So many times in this play I wanted to smack Othello in the face and say, “Get it together dude! Just talk to her about it!” But nope, he is stubborn and will believe whatever Iago says with absolutely no doubt.
Learned What Have I?
Every time I read Shakespeare, I learn something new every time. I had to take baby steps. Believe me, I didn’t understand it the first time, and that’s okay.
However, if you do understand it the first time, you’re a genius and do not let anyone tell you otherwise.
The most important thing I learned was how to understand Shakespeare's “Yoda Talk.”
You may be thinking, “this isn’t Star Wars?” I know, but Shakespeare is literally Yoda.
For example, he wrote in Othello, “I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips” (Othello, Act lll. Scene lll). What this really should say is, “I did not find Cassio’s kisses on her lips.” To read his backwards talking, you need to think about what he’s saying in your own words.
That means slowing down, and trying to comprehend what the long -- and short --speeches are saying.
It takes practice and it takes patience. After awhile, my brain started to switch the words around without me even noticing. It became a lot easier for me to understand. When I really got confused, I would write down the line and try to solve it like a puzzle. I would sometimes spend twenty to thirty minutes on a line. It was a time consumer, but I am so glad I did it. If I would’ve kept my confused thoughts in my head, I may have never been able to start and read Shakespeare lines in my own voice; which would have made this play so much harder to read. Also, I might have lost interest way, way faster and given up.
I wish that I would’ve learned how to do this before I read my first Shakespeare play. I never fully understood Romeo and Juliet, or Hamlet, but after my teacher taught my how to do this, I closed the play with a strong understanding of the message, theme, and overall purpose of the play.
To My Dear Othello
Oh my Othello, how you have disappointed me.
How long has that handkerchief been in our family? It has been handed down for years and years! “She, dying, gave it me, And bid me, when my fate would have me wived, To give it her” (Othello, Act lll. SC.lV).
I know that you loved Desdemona, and she loved you, but the lack of trust you had in her makes me think that she was not the right one for you. You rushed into this marriage, you had just met her when you two ran off together, making me think that the handkerchief did not belong in her hands.
I knew from the heavens that this marriage wasn’t going to work out. I went to the lord to help me, and he tried, but you didn’t.
The lord tried to give you signs that this wasn’t the right marriage for you. But being the stubborn man you are, you chose to ignore them. You should have stopped the marriage when Brabantio --Desdemona's father-- came to you looking for her“O, thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter” (Othello, Act l, Scene ll).My dear, you are not a thief. I know that it was too Desdemona that followed you. Although it was just a horrid set up by Iago, it was also a sign from the lord.
My dear, it is time that you come be with me in the after world. Desdemona has joined me, and together we chose to forgive you.
I wish things would not have ended like this. You were too young to die; still full of so much life and discovery. But the lord has called you home, and I can not wait to see you.