Conflict between Morality and Immorality in “Othello”

Conflict between Morality and Immorality in “Othello”

Shakespeare’s drama ‘Othello’ is one of conflicting morals, ethics and values, and the consequences of these conflicts. Shakespeare focuses these conflicts on the character of Othello and his actions, which are the results of complex moral dilemmas. In Othello, societal influences are used as a catalyst to conflicting situations and contribute to the character development of Othello and his actions. Through these factors, Shakespeare reveals the underlying theme of morality in conflict.
When pressured to select between two alternatives which both end negatively, the individual faces a conflict between morality and immorality, and their feelings and actions towards this conflict highlight the state of society. The quest for a moral resolution in Othello is a result and reflection of the 1570s society. Protagonist Othello is the great general of the Venetian Army, and during a majority of the duration of the play, is in Cyprus, Venice to fight the battle between the Turks. “I swear 'tis better to be much abused, than but to know't a little”.
Othello is in an agonising state of jealousy and fury after learning about his wife Desdemona’s extra-marital affair, which is, in fact, a false accusation made by villain Iago. ‘Ignorance is bliss’ could be the most appropriate translation to what Othello wishes had stopped him from entering a moral conflict. Outraged by Desdemona’s supposed act of infidelity, Othello decides that killing his wife would be the solution to eliminate the sources of evil in the world. To eliminate evil, Othello commits evil. This is a classic example of morality trapped in a conflict of epic proportions, fuelled by the war-enraged society.
The crime which had been committed would seem considerably more outrageous now than it did in the era of Shakespeare’s writing of Othello. This is due to Othello being set in Cyprus which was attacked by Turks in 1570, leading to the wars between Venice and Turkey. The exposure to mass killings and lingering misery in the overall atmosphere was a major catalyst to the loss of faith and morality in society. It was perhaps this change in social behaviour which had resulted in Othello being trapped in conflict, and being able to consider even the idea of murdering his own wife. In fact war was a major catalyst to morality being questioned in literature. In Othello, the characters view the explicit nature of the wars between Venice and Turkey, leading to immoral acts being committed even in the absence of negative intentions.
The character of Othello is also one which has been interestingly developed with the leverage of Othello’s morals in conflict; killing the evil he sees in his wife Desdemona in the hope of ‘cleaning out evil’ in the world. Protagonist Othello is depicted not as a generic, fair-skinned perfectionist, but rather in a way which defies the physical norm for a “hero”. Othello is Moorish, a descendant from Northern Africa, hence the colour of his skin. He is a man of great passion, and a physique suited to his title. However, we as an audience are instantly challenged by the portrayal of Othello, whose characteristics sway well away from those of a typical hero protagonist. Shakespeare attempts to question our morality. In the sixteenth century where racial equality was far from understood, a dark-skinned man is unquestionably deemed and given the same rights as an “average” but “higher status” citizen. This challenging portrayal of Othello is further challenged when he murders his wife. It is the “hero” of the play who commits the inhumane act, bringing forward the situation of a positive character facing confusion with a negative act, hence a moral dilemma.
Shakespeare suggests that the character whose morals are in conflict is uncontrollable, performing overwhelmingly immoral acts.
The internal moral conflict faced by Othello can also be observed through his change of language throughout the play. Desdemona claims to have married Othello because of his ability to tell magnificent stories of his adventures, therefore it can be seen that Othello is very good with his words.
“But I love the gentle Desdemona,
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea’s worth” (1.2.25-28)
Othello’s language at the beginning is very powerful and heroic as he compares the nature of his love for Desdemona with the treasures of the sea. The use of dramatic imagery of the sea is successful in depicting Othello’s certainty and confidence in Desdemona’s love. However, this certainty and confidence is long gone in the later stages of the play after Iago has corrupted Othello’s faith by making him believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful. Othello no longer speaks with pride and wholesomeness; his language becomes uncertain and chaotic - “O misery!”, “O monstrous, monstrous!” Shakespeare makes it clear that Othello is heavily weakened by the moral dilemma through his drastic change in language. This is the result of Othello being stuck between believing Desdemona and believing Iago. The two poles of morality in this situation are so extreme, i.e. killing Desdemona or letting Desdemona live but risking a tarnished reputation, that Othello becomes engulfed by the pressure. His strong language in the initial stages shows a strong natured man, and his incoherent remarks in the later stages are the outcome of a man who has been weakened by conflicting morality.
In Othello, Shakespeare reveals conflicting morals through the character of Othello. The aspects of the play which give rise to moral dilemmas are influences of society, the portrayal of Othello, and a change in Othello’s behaviour through language. Shakespeare combines these aspects to give the audience insight into deep conflicts of morality, both internal and external.