Explore the theme of betrayal in Othello:
Definition: ‘the breaking or violation of a presumptive contract, trust or confidence that produces
moral and psychological conflict with a relationship amongst individuals.
Main idea: Iago is the only character who gets away with betrayal because he insights betrayal of
every other character (manipulation of Othello and Roderigo leads to betrayal of other characters) –
he controls betrayal.
- His betrayal of the trust of every other character (reputation of ‘honest Iago’) leads to the
betrayal of others.
POINT ONE: IAGO’S BETRAYAL OF EVERY CHARACTER (MAINLY OTHELLO AND RODERIGO):
Uses his reputation as ‘honest Iago’ to fuel his betrayal of the other characters.
Betrayal of Roderigo: Iago takes advantage of Roderigo’s love for Desdemona and his naivety in
order to make Roderigo do his bidding. “My sick fool Roderigo” (aside – immediately highlights his
intention of betraying Roderigo, the audience are part of this). Furthermore, he successfully uses
persuasive techniques such as the repetition of “Put money in thy purse” to gain Roderigo’s trust. In
A5S1: ‘he stabs Roderigo’ is the ultimate act of betrayal, despite Roderigo’s loyalty Iago sees him as a
means to an end, a tool he can utilise to fuel his own agenda, and the fact that Roderigo becomes a
liability for the revealing of Iago’s villainy, makes him expendable. As ‘O damned Iago! O inhuman
dog!’, Roderigo finally realises that Iago has betrayed his trust, but it is too late.
Betrayal of Othello: Iago takes advantage of the fact that Othello believes him to be a good man
(‘honest Iago’), as well as the fact that Othello is not experienced in marriage/Venetian society in
which he is an Other. Iago makes his intention of betraying Othello immediately clear to the audience
through the opening scene: ‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’ – the audience are made
aware that they cannot trust Iago and that we are about to watch him orchestrate Othello’s downfall.
Othello believes Iago to be a good man, but Iago intends to use this against him: ‘He holds me well,
the better shall my purpose work on him’. Like Roderigo, Iago’s betrayal of Othello is a catalyst for
Othello’s downfall, as it is a leading reason for his suicide at the end of the play (he realises Iago has
feigned Desdemona’s infidelity).
‘Motiveless malignity’ – Coleridge
Conventions in revenge tragedies include: a Machiavellian villain, themes of revenge, and
atmosphere of terror and retribution. [ADD THIS]
Cassio: ‘Iago? I am spoiled, undone by villains. Give me some help!’
POINT TWO: IAGO’S MANIPULATION CAUSES OTHELLO TO BELIEVE DESDEMONA HAS BETRAYED
HIM (BELIEVES REPUTATION IS RUINED, LEADS TO DEATH OF DESDEMONA):
Definition: ‘the breaking or violation of a presumptive contract, trust or confidence that produces
moral and psychological conflict with a relationship amongst individuals.
Main idea: Iago is the only character who gets away with betrayal because he insights betrayal of
every other character (manipulation of Othello and Roderigo leads to betrayal of other characters) –
he controls betrayal.
- His betrayal of the trust of every other character (reputation of ‘honest Iago’) leads to the
betrayal of others.
POINT ONE: IAGO’S BETRAYAL OF EVERY CHARACTER (MAINLY OTHELLO AND RODERIGO):
Uses his reputation as ‘honest Iago’ to fuel his betrayal of the other characters.
Betrayal of Roderigo: Iago takes advantage of Roderigo’s love for Desdemona and his naivety in
order to make Roderigo do his bidding. “My sick fool Roderigo” (aside – immediately highlights his
intention of betraying Roderigo, the audience are part of this). Furthermore, he successfully uses
persuasive techniques such as the repetition of “Put money in thy purse” to gain Roderigo’s trust. In
A5S1: ‘he stabs Roderigo’ is the ultimate act of betrayal, despite Roderigo’s loyalty Iago sees him as a
means to an end, a tool he can utilise to fuel his own agenda, and the fact that Roderigo becomes a
liability for the revealing of Iago’s villainy, makes him expendable. As ‘O damned Iago! O inhuman
dog!’, Roderigo finally realises that Iago has betrayed his trust, but it is too late.
Betrayal of Othello: Iago takes advantage of the fact that Othello believes him to be a good man
(‘honest Iago’), as well as the fact that Othello is not experienced in marriage/Venetian society in
which he is an Other. Iago makes his intention of betraying Othello immediately clear to the audience
through the opening scene: ‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’ – the audience are made
aware that they cannot trust Iago and that we are about to watch him orchestrate Othello’s downfall.
Othello believes Iago to be a good man, but Iago intends to use this against him: ‘He holds me well,
the better shall my purpose work on him’. Like Roderigo, Iago’s betrayal of Othello is a catalyst for
Othello’s downfall, as it is a leading reason for his suicide at the end of the play (he realises Iago has
feigned Desdemona’s infidelity).
‘Motiveless malignity’ – Coleridge
Conventions in revenge tragedies include: a Machiavellian villain, themes of revenge, and
atmosphere of terror and retribution. [ADD THIS]
Cassio: ‘Iago? I am spoiled, undone by villains. Give me some help!’
POINT TWO: IAGO’S MANIPULATION CAUSES OTHELLO TO BELIEVE DESDEMONA HAS BETRAYED
HIM (BELIEVES REPUTATION IS RUINED, LEADS TO DEATH OF DESDEMONA):
