Othello Reading #4

             Throughout Act I and the beginning of Act II, Othello remains the level headed protagonist, and he appears to be voice of reason. He seems to lose some of his reason, when he begins to believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello bases his assumption off of Iago’s guiding comments about a potential affair between Cassio and Desdemonia: “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love” (III, iii, 105-106). Othello does ask Iago for evidence of the relationship between Cassio and Desdemona, but he still rushes to assumptions too quickly. Othello talks out of character, because he immediately becomes upset without seeing proof of the affair. The difference in Othello’s character is a reflection of the change of scenery from Venice to Cyprus. Venice is the home of reason and order, while Cyprus is viewed as more barbaric and a place with no structure. Now that Othello is away from Venice, he is experiencing a change of character. He does not seem as in control as he did in Venice. If Othello, a character who is able to think rationally, is beginning to act differently than it would seem that there would be changes in the other characters as well.