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BOOK REVIEW: OTHELLO

Book review

TITLE: OTHELLO 
AUTHOR: WILLIAMS SHAKESPEARE 

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Brabantio has been gossiped to by Roderigo that Othello had eloped with his dear daughter. This gossip wasn't out of goodwill to Brabantio but for the fact that he was also lusting after Desdemona- Brabantio's daughter. This he did not without Iago's hand who was Othello's most trusted servant. The news did not meet him well; out of anger, he went to the Duke's chamber to report Othello's act of witchcraft. For he believed that her daughter was enchanted by him. 

The duke and the senate in councils were discussing the imminent attack of the Turk on Cyprus, and they summoned Othello being the chiefest general. Brabantio got to the palace before Othello and had already narrated his ordeal to the duke and the senates. 

On arrival of Othello, once again he accused him of using enchantment to lure his daughter away from him. Othello did explain how he won her heart without magic or enchantment. To corroborate this, he asked someone to call Desdemona. Her words tally with his on her arrival. The duke then dismissed him and told Othello of his new task- to lead a force to the border in order to stop the Turk ship from gaining entrance into their city.

Iago who was Othello's most trusted servant actually had a motive of separating him and his wife. Seeing that Roderigo was also lusting for her, he pretended to help him (Roderigo) to get closer to Desdemona, but he was just using him as a pawn to carry out his own heinous act.  

Othello with his officers went to the border to carry out their duty. But nature did fight on their course without even raising a sword. A raging storm wrecked the ship of the Turk.  They all went back home and Othello went back to his lovely wife to observe his honeymoon. He loved her so dearly and she also reciprocates the kind gesture. 

Iago being a knave was keen on getting them separated. While Roderigo still believes that he was fighting for his course not knowing that he was being used.  He plans to use Cassio; a Dear soldier to Othello in executing his plan by framing him up. He did know his weakness that he didn't have much capacity to consume much liquor. While they were in the joyous moment of the Turk shipwrecked he pestered him to take a little wine, at first he disobliged but later obliged.  

After he was drunk, he misbehaved, this made general Othello relieved him of his post and this post was dear to him. Iago being a cunning man also offered to help him. He told him to get through to Othello through his Lady. Cassio summoned Desdemona so that she could help him appease Othello. She vouched to help him for he's a good man. 

But Iago uses this to poison Othello's mind against his wife. He told him there might probably be something going on between his wife and Cassio. 

He used all means to poison his mind against Desdemona, his jealous nature made it easy for Iago to manipulate him. 
He stopped being nice to his wife because of what he had been told. Iago asked his wife (Emilia) who's a maid to Desdemona to help him steal a certain handkerchief that her husband gave her during their honeymoon. He concealed his intention of what to use it for from his wife. He had planned to drop the handkerchief in Cassio's room and then make it obvious to Othello that his wife gave it to him. 

This would serve as evidence that they are having an affair. He knew it would cut Othello's to the marrow to hear that the handkerchief he gave to his wife she gave it to another man. Knowing fully well that this handkerchief was dear to him.

He did succeed in his plan and as a result, Othello plans to kill both Cassio and Desdemona because he thought she had betrayed his love. He had ordered Iago to execute Cassio while he executes her himself. 

Iago had manipulated Roderigo to kill Cassio but he failed in his mission. Roderigo died in the process. Othello killed Desdemona. Thereafter, he knew that Iago was lying. 

Despite that Othello was a general, he wasn't strong enough to handle betrayal, assuming it was true she betrayed her. It is not good to listen to gossip because most times it does more harm than good. If he had chosen not to listen to Iago he's mind wouldn't have been poisoned. 

From this book, I see why it is good not to trust all but love all. Because he could have walked in love with Iago yet gave his opinion of his wife a second thought. But jealousy wouldn't let him do so. Too much jealousy is evil. 

I am Akerele Odunayo Samuel. Remember, keep being good and keep being real. 

 Please share your thoughts with me in the comment . 

#Staysafe

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