"It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul...

"

Play: Othello
Speaker: Othello

Who is Othello?
Othello is a skilled and respected soldier in Venice, known for his courage and leadership. He
is deeply in love with his wife, Desdemona, but has been manipulated by his deceitful
servant, Iago. Iago convinces Othello, through lies and staged evidence, that Desdemona has
been unfaithful with another man, Cassio.

What is happening in the scene?

In this scene, Othello is in Desdemona's bedroom. She is sleeping peacefully, unaware of the
tragic events about to unfold. Othello, overcome by the false belief that she has betrayed
him, feels compelled to kill her. He justifies this act to himself, claiming that it is for the sake
of honor and justice. However, his words and actions reveal his inner torment and love for
her, even as he prepares to carry out the irreversible.

Emotions in the speech:

Othello’s emotions are deeply conflicted. On one hand, he feels anger and betrayal because
he believes Desdemona has been unfaithful. On the other hand, his love for her causes
immense pain as he contemplates ending her life. His speech is filled with sadness, guilt, and
a desperate need to rationalize his actions. It shows a man struggling between his emotions
and the lies that have clouded his judgment.

This monologue is one of the most poignant moments in Shakespeare's Othello, capturing the
tragic downfall of a noble character manipulated by deceit.

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Here is the complete story of Othello, one of Shakespeare's most powerful tragedies:

Setting and Characters

The play is set in Venice and later in Cyprus.

Othello: A Moorish general in the Venetian army, respected for his military skills.
 Desdemona: Othello's loving and loyal wife, the daughter of a Venetian nobleman.
Iago: Othello's ensign (a junior officer), the villain of the play who manipulates
everyone for his own gain.
Cassio: Othello's loyal lieutenant.
Emilia: Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant.
Roderigo: A wealthy but foolish man in love with Desdemona.

Act I: The Setup

The play begins in Venice. Iago, furious that Othello promoted Cassio instead of him, plots
revenge. He joins forces with Roderigo, who is also upset because Desdemona, whom he
loves, has married Othello. Together, they inform Desdemona's father, Brabantio, of her
secret marriage to Othello, hoping to stir trouble.

Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft before the Duke of Venice, but Desdemona defends
her love for Othello. The Duke supports their marriage and sends Othello to Cyprus to defend
against a Turkish invasion. Desdemona accompanies him.

Act II: The Plot Thickens

In Cyprus, the Turkish threat is eliminated by a storm, but the real conflict begins as Iago puts
his plan into action.

Iago manipulates Roderigo into believing he can win Desdemona if he eliminates

Cassio.
Iago gets Cassio drunk, causing a brawl that tarnishes Cassio’s reputation. Othello
removes Cassio from his position as lieutenant.
Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona's help in getting his job back, setting the stage
for jealousy.

Act III: The Seeds of Jealousy

Iago begins to poison Othello’s mind, suggesting that Desdemona is too close to Cassio.

When Desdemona pleads for Cassio's reinstatement, Othello becomes suspicious.

Iago plants further doubts by warning Othello to beware of jealousy and using vague
hints to fuel his fears.
Emilia (Iago’s wife) finds Desdemona's handkerchief, a token of Othello’s love, and
gives it to Iago.
 Iago plants the handkerchief in Cassio’s possession as "proof" of Desdemona’s
infidelity.

Othello, now consumed by jealousy, begins to trust Iago completely and vows to punish both
Desdemona and Cassio.

Act IV: The Tragic Turning Point

Iago continues to manipulate Othello.

He arranges for Othello to overhear a conversation between himself and Cassio about
a woman. Iago ensures it looks like they are discussing Desdemona when they are
actually talking about Bianca, a courtesan.
Othello is convinced Desdemona is unfaithful.
Othello confronts Desdemona, calling her unfaithful, and she is deeply hurt by his
accusations.

Meanwhile, Roderigo grows impatient with Iago, realizing he has been used. Iago persuades
him to attack Cassio that night.

Act V: The Tragic Climax

The final act is filled with violence and tragedy.

Roderigo attacks Cassio but is wounded. Iago kills Roderigo to keep him silent.
Othello, driven mad by jealousy, confronts Desdemona in her bedroom while she is
asleep. He smothers her despite her pleas of innocence.
Emilia arrives and exposes Iago’s lies after discovering Desdemona's death. She
reveals the truth about the handkerchief. Iago kills Emilia to silence her, but it is too
late—Othello realizes his mistake.
Devastated by guilt and grief, Othello takes his own life.

Iago is arrested but refuses to explain his motives. The play ends with the collapse of
Othello’s life and legacy.

Themes and Messages

1. Jealousy: Othello’s jealousy, fueled by Iago’s lies, leads to his downfall.

2. Manipulation: Iago’s cunning manipulations show the destructive power of deceit.
3. Racism: Othello’s identity as a Moor makes him vulnerable to prejudice and insecurity.
 4. Trust and Betrayal: Othello’s misplaced trust in Iago destroys his relationship with
Desdemona.

Emotions in the Monologue

1. Love and Devotion:

Othello’s repeated references to "the cause" show that he still deeply loves Desdemona.
He is heartbroken at the thought of her betrayal but believes that killing her is necessary
to protect her honor and his own.
2. Jealousy and Anguish:
The overwhelming jealousy Iago has planted in Othello's heart fuels his decision. Yet, this
jealousy is laced with sorrow as Othello wrestles with his belief that he must destroy the
woman he loves.
3. Guilt and Inner Conflict:
Othello is torn between his emotions. He speaks to himself almost as if trying to convince
his soul that what he is doing is right, revealing his deep internal conflict and guilt.
4. Rationalization:
He tries to justify his actions by calling it justice for a betrayal he believes has occurred.
This rationalization makes his love and heartbreak even more poignant, as it shows he is
not acting out of rage alone but from a misguided sense of duty.

The Monolouge

Othello:
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul.
Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!
It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood,
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.
Put out the light, and then put out the light:
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore,
Should I repent me: but once put out thy light,
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
I know not where is that Promethean heat
That can thy light relume. When I have pluck'd the rose,
I cannot give it vital growth again,
It must needs wither: I'll smell it on the tree.
(Kisses her)
Ah balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
Justice to break her sword! One more, one more.
Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,
And love thee after: one more, and this the last:
So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep,
But they are cruel tears: this sorrow's heavenly;
It strikes where it doth love.

Othello’s Backstory, Character Traits, and Age

Backstory:

Heritage and Early Life:

Othello is a Moor, meaning he is of North African descent, and likely a Muslim convert to
Christianity, though his exact background is not detailed in the play. He grew up in a land
very different from Venice and rose to prominence through his exceptional skills as a
soldier and leader.
Military Career:
Othello’s bravery and strategic mind earned him respect as a general in the Venetian
army. Despite being an outsider in Venetian society due to his race and cultural
background, his achievements gave him a high status and the trust of the Duke of Venice.
Love for Desdemona:
Othello met Desdemona, a young Venetian noblewoman, through his stories of adventure
and hardship. She fell in love with his courage and the life he described, while he admired
her compassion and beauty. They secretly married, defying societal expectations and her
father’s wishes.
Vulnerability to Manipulation:
As a foreigner in Venice, Othello is always slightly insecure about his position, particularly
when it comes to his personal relationships. This insecurity makes him vulnerable to
Iago’s manipulations.

Character Traits:

1. Strengths:
Bravery and Leadership:
Othello is a fearless and capable leader, commanding respect from his soldiers and
Venetian authorities.
Loyalty:
He is deeply loyal to those he loves and to his duties as a soldier.
Passionate Love:
His love for Desdemona is sincere, intense, and deeply emotional.
2. Weaknesses:
Insecurity:
Despite his successes, Othello’s position as an outsider makes him susceptible to self-
doubt. He fears losing Desdemona to a younger, more culturally aligned Venetian man
like Cassio.
Jealousy:
Othello’s tragic flaw is his jealousy. Once Iago plants the idea of Desdemona’s
unfaithfulness, it consumes him and leads to his downfall.
 Naivety and Trust:
Othello is too trusting, particularly of Iago, whom he considers an honest and loyal
friend. This blind trust allows Iago to manipulate him easily.
3. Emotional Depth:
Othello is not just a warrior but also a deeply emotional and poetic character. His
speeches often reflect his inner turmoil and his love for Desdemona in vivid and moving
imagery.
4. Pride:
Othello has a sense of dignity and honor, which Iago exploits. He believes he must
preserve his honor at all costs, even if it means making tragic choices.

Age:

Shakespeare does not specify Othello’s exact age, but context and dialogue provide clues:

Othello refers to himself as being “declined into the vale of years,” suggesting he is
middle-aged or older, likely in his late 30s to 50s.
Desdemona is portrayed as much younger, possibly in her late teens or early 20s. This age
difference adds to Othello’s insecurities.