Emily BittonMrs. MakerAP English 12 Period 27 November 2012Othello RevisionMany characters in different types of literature undergo changes ortransformations during their lives. These changes make the reader interested in thecharacter and the story as a whole. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the protagonist goes througha major transformation from hero to villain, which furthers the theme of insecurity-evoked by jealousy- which causes dire consequences for the characters.Othello’s persona changes from heroic to villainous throughout the play. He startsoff the ultimate hero- of war and of love- but dies at the end of the play with nothing.Othello grows up in poverty and slavery. He managed to survive as a soldier even thoughhe was separated from his home and family. He becomes a successful military man and ispromoted to the general of the defense forces in Venice and is happily married toDesdemona, the daughter of the Venetian senator. He is confident and proud of what hehas accomplished. However, his confidence proves to be only a sheer exterior, and avengeful Iago penetrates it with only a few persuasive lies about the faltering loyalty ofOthello’s wife. Othello becomes angry, hateful and mean. After Iago provides seeminglyhard evidence of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness, Othello says, “Look here, Iago, all myfond love thus do I blow to heaven. ‘Tis gone. Arise, black vengeance, from the hollowhell! Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom,with thy fraught, for ‘tis of aspics’ tongues!” (III. iii. 456-460). Othello is saying that all
