How would I approach the question: 'Othello's foolishness rather than Iago's cleverness leads to the tragedy of Shakespeare's 'Othello''

Firstly I would decide on my argument, for example that I disagree with the idea that the outcome of the play is the result of Othello's foolishness, and that while his character may have issues with pride that spur his anger, Iago's manipulation is the main factor in the tragic events that occur.To find evidence to support my argument I would make sure I looked for examples of both language and structure within Iago's dialogue to make sure I covered a range of techniques. For example I might highlight the fact that Iago often uses blank verse while speaking to Othello and other characters who are socially higher, to give the impression of charm and eloquence, while his asides and dialogue to Roderigo are often in prose, showing his ability to deceive his peers at will. I could also link this to quotes such as 'I am not what I am' from Act 1 Scene 1, which demonstrates his intention to present a false facade.In order to balance the argument I would also find evidence of Othello's weakness, to evaluate how far his ability to be manipulated contributes to his downfall. Contextual evidence would be appropriate here to demonstrate knowledge of the Elizabethan period in which the play was written, for example that his anger about the handkerchief stems from the male fear of being cuckolded, leading to the destruction of his reputation in society. Despite this, I would ultimately argue that it was Iago's skill in noticing and exploiting this weakness that leads to the play's tragic ending.

MT
Answered by Megan T. English Literature tutor

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