Loyalty and Friendship in Othello

Theme: Loyalty and Friendship
Shakespeare uses the theme loyalty and Friendship to show the various ways they are used in society. This is seen in the relationships he establishes between his characters in the text Othello. In this text, Loyalty and Friendship can either be abused for people’s own selfish motives as seen with Iago. Another way, is in its respective means of creating meaningful bonds as seen with characters such as Desdemona, Bianca, Othello, Rodregio, Cassio and also Emilia.
  1. Loyalty and Friendship between Iago and Othello
In the beginning of Act I scene i, loyalty and friendship between Iago and Othello is in questioning. In this section, Iago describes his hatred of Othello to Rodregio stating that he does not support Othello’s high rank in society. His reason for this, is Othello’s race and religion (A Black Muslim) and thinks he should have it instead. Shakespeare uses this conversation and the entire Act I to show his audience that Iago had an agenda in which he will use the two themes as a means of destruction to get what he wants.
Iago befriends Othello by using false affection and a hidden sinister charm to convince him that his wife, Desdemona, is unfaithful to him.
In Act III scene iii, Iago says “I humbly do beseech you of your pardon for too much loving you.” In this event, Iago camouflages his intentions with the false affection which Othello interprets as his expression of his loyalty and friendship for him.
The relationship also reveals the importance of friendship to Othello. Considering Iago as his friend, Othello respected his advice, opinions and his stories about Desdemona and Cassio easily than if it was any other character.
After getting Othello to believe in his loyalty and friendship, Iago begins to unravel his plot of destruction by provoking Othello’s jealousy.
The so-called loyalty and friendship between these two characters not only weakens the relationship between Othello but also the friendship...