Othello's Downfall

    In the following scene, Othello has fallen victim to Iago's manipulation and his control is beginning to come undone. Convinced that Desdemona has cheated on him with Cassio, Othello strikes Desdemona when she brings up her "the love I bear to Cassio" (IV.i) even though she is talking about her hopes for Othello and Cassio to reconcile their differences. This is a stark contrast to the previous interactions between Desdemona and Othello where he declares that he could not be any happier than he is with his wife. Along with his romantic happiness gone, Othello is also about to lose his power gained at Cyprus. When the messenger, Lodovico arrives from Venice with a notice stating that Othello must return from Cyprus and leave Cassio in charge, he is once more losing the assets that make him great. After being depicted as a high standing authoritative figure in a loving relationship, Othello is finally facing his downfall at the hands of Iago and fate.