Riya Chopra 

ENG 2400

December 17th, 2020

Final Essay

Othello, William Shakespeare and Othello, Dir. Oliver Parker 

Othello tells the story of Othello and how the betrayal and lies of Iago drove him mad. Here comes Desdemona, his wife who cared for him deeply and was wrongly accused of being with another man, and in the end paid the ultimate price. The composition of this story makes us question the actions of each character as to why they acted as they did. The three types of ethics that are known in this play and movie, are virtue ethics, utilitarian ethics and feminist ethics. Virtue ethics focuses on ideas such as the virtue of one’s self, motives and moral character, moral education, moral wisdom etc. Here on questions what type of person it is that they want to be in the end. Utilitarian ethics focuses on one’s view on what set of actions will bring about the most good. Lastly, Feminist ethics is the belief that society has an unappreciative stance on wome’’ns morals and experience, as both the life situations of both men and women are quite different. Feminist ethics moves to challange this difference with a larger message.

The movie and the story have quite the few similarities and differences ranging from the characters included to the visualization of it all. The plot of Othello Directed by Oliver Parker  is similar to William Shakespere play “Othello” as both versions tell a story in which a man succumbs to his own mind and emotions when he is betrayed by those that he cares and trusts the most. The three ethics which arise mainly within both versions are virtue ethics, utilitarian ethics and deontology ethics. Ethics provide us with a deeper outlook into a character and why they take the actions that they do, whether they are justified or not. In order to prove this I will first analyze the motives Emilia held towards Desdemona in terms to feminist ethics., and how she believed that as a woman she should have the freedom to her happiness. Secondly I will observe Rodrigo’s behavior or supposed love for Desdemona, in which utilitarian ethics shows he believed he was doing what will bring about the most good. Lastly, I will discuss the importance of Emilia betraying Iago in order to redeem Desdemona, in the ultimate sacrifice in virtue ethics. 

Othello allows us to analyze society in which women lived in during the time in which the play was set and expectations of the patriarchal society, introducing to us the feminist ethics. There is an existing belief that men were superior and women were nothing but wives in breeding. For women, marriage came with the responsibility of bearing children, cooking, cleaning and making appearances where they were needed. Women were objects and possession of their husbands and were never identified otherwise. Desdemona commits entirely to her role as Othello’s wife, and even at some point says that she is an obedient wife, in reality doing exactly what Othello asks to please him. Awaiting her death Desdemona answers Elilia and states, “Nobody; I myself. Farewell Commend me to my kind lord: O, farewell!” (Act V, Scene II). Even within her last moments alive she cares after Othello and gives him a way to escape his impending trial for her murder. This is what she knew to do, she could not disobey her husband as it was her “proper role” in that aspect of the society.

Emilia on the other hand knows of her role in society but agrees that when it is necessary she shall defend herself and act accordingly. We see this in many moments throughout the movie. One that spoke volumes was when Emilia encouraged Desdemona to have an affair because Othello suspected her that she may as well do it. Emilia tells Desdemona, “Then let them use us well: else let them know, The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.”( Act IV, Scene III) Emilia seems to hint that instead of suffering from Othello’s abuse, Desdemona should look for happiness elsewhere, she should not then think of it as infidelity. The ills that their husbands do upon them cause the ills they enact themselves, but it is not out of hate but the want for freedom. One thing that can be seen is that men were allowed to keep mistresses as they please but women were only subjected to the pleasure of their husbands. A woman could not keep a lover like her husband did without having a handful of slurs thrown her way. We see a challenge against societal expectation through the ethics here. How is one thing moral for a man and not for a woman? There should be no difference if one is equal to the other. Emilia also ultimately goes about “disobeying” her husband when in the end she betrays him by outing his true scheming intentions. Emilia as a whole throughout the movie works against the patriarchal society we are exposed to in Othello, symbolizing the feminist ethic as a whole.

Rodrigo, from the beginning confesses his love for Desdemona and would go to many lengths to ensure that she ends up with him. Rodrigo is another person which Igo has a tight grip on and is able to convince him to do all of his scheming. He does not feel any loyalty towards Othello as he believes that Othello stole the woman he loved the most away from him. Rodrigo seemingly does not question Iago’s motives. First Rodrigo picks a fight with Cassio with Iago’s urging and becomes humiliated when the blame is directed towards him. Then, Iago tricks Rodrigo into giving him the jewels and convinces him to kill Cassio as he is another obstacle in the way of him having Desdemona all to himself. Here we see the Utilitarian Ethics unfold, where Rodrigo would do just about anything to ensure that he would end up with his love. He does not think much of what is to happen, “ I have no great devotion to the deed; And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons; ‘Tis but a man gone. Fourth, my sword: he dies.” (Act V Scene 1) He doesn’t care much to do what Iago has asked of him but he shall do it because he provided reason enough, Desdemona. 

During the fight both Cassio and Roderigo are wounded and it is obvious that he failed at the task given to him by Iago. Iago enters and kills Roderigo to hide the truth not knowing that Rodrigo had written and hid a letter in his pocket which would ultimately tell the whole truth of Iago’s plot and help him redeem himself from the actions he has continued to commit. Iago was never on his side even as he  “mourns” the death of his comrade and friend. We see here that Iago’s intentions were never in the benefit of Roderigo however he still died believing that his actions were the ultimate fruit of his love. All his actions are justifiable in the name of love. 

In the depiction of virtue ethics we see Emilia committing her last act of good within the play. Emilia explains to Othello that Desdemona did not give her handkerchief to Cassio as Emilia had found it and then given it to her husband. She then accuses Iago of being a liar, watching how Desdemona was killed in vain. When revealing Iago’s plan in the last act of the play she states that “Tis proper I obey him, but not now.” (Act V, Scene II) She knows that disobeying her husband will bring upon her many impending consequences which may include her death. As Iago’s wife it was her duty to support and defend him but she did not know at what cost. She must bring Othello to justice and reveal her villainous husband’s intention to light, to ensure that Desdemona did not die in vain. She explains how Iago begged her to steal the handkerchief and she did so in love of her husband, not wanting to disobey him. Iago was caught and he accuses Emilia of being a liar and stabs her during his impending escape. Emilia is layed down with her mistress, her truth and life had brought out Iago’s true intentions. Even if she was to die, she committed the most good possible memory of the woman whose side she had been by all along.  These are the final moments before Emilia is killed and we see the display of how loyal Elimia was to Desdemona that she would stand for what was right and go against her husband. It is as if Iago is starting to receive his karma for all his wrong doing as Emilia ensures that the truth is revealed.

Ethics seem to shape not only the intentions of a character but give a better understanding to the plot of the story over all. There is a story to each of the actions taken by the characters which also may tie into issues and topics that were present in that time as well as now. Othello emphasizes the complexity of one’s mind and how kindness and trust can be betrayed even by the ones that are closest to you. We shall not feel empathy for Othello but for Desdemona and Emilia who lost their lives trying to prove the truth.