Shakespeare’s work can lead to great discussions about appearance and reality. Starting with Iago, one of the greatest villains in literature. In the play, he is called honest several times by different characters. But in essence he is perfidious, Machiavellian and without limits. He feigns loyalty to Othello despite hating him. This is because the general promoted soldier Cássio to the position of lieutenant, passing over him. This fact awakens a devastating envy in Iago and his main objective becomes the destruction of Othello. Driven by this dark feeling, he weaves intrigues that make the protagonist believe that his wife is cheating on him with Cassio. There is no proof, just insinuations, which involve the general, slowly driving him crazy. Blinded by jealousy, Othello kills Desdemona and only later discovers that she was innocent. Then, full of guilt, he commits suicide.
The character Othello also allows this analysis. At first, he shows himself to be a strong, virile and confident man, who believes in his loved one’s feelings. But he is soon easily overcome by jealousy and reveals his inner weaknesses.
Desdemona’s father, a senator and prominent figure in society, also masks his real values. If at first he praises Othello as a warrior leader, he later ridicules him for the “blackness of his chest”, when he becomes his daughter’s husband.
In today’s world, how important is appearance? Do we take other people’s opinions about us too seriously? Do posts on social media convey the image of who we really are?
Exaggerated jealousy is another aspect that can be worked on in the classroom. To what extent can feeling jealous be considered normal? Is Othello’s jealousy related to a feeling of inferiority because of his color? Take the opportunity to tell the class that the Shakespearean character’s imbalance inspired the name of a disorder: Othello syndrome. People with this disease suffer from the delusion that their partners are unfaithful.
by Pandora_box_Hesiod