After the complicated but kind of enjoyable reading of Othello, I have come to a complicated conclusion of who was mostly to blame for how the outcome of this tragic play. My numbers are clear and precise, but most importantly, 100% correct.
Iago: Yes, I suppose I should start with the main reason the play ended the way it did. Iago received nearly ⅔ of the blame because of his numerous and endless amounts of schemes he performed to confuse the poor people on the island of Cyprus. The characters that Iago manipulated were shortsighted nonetheless for not figuring out his true objectives earlier, but without his evil plan to ruin the “fine qualities and good fortunes of others” (Snyder, 290), the story would’ve had a much happier ending; also, the book's length would’ve probably been cut in half because most of the pages consisted of monologues from characters pleading that they did not commit the crime they’re being accused of (thanks to honest Iago). Iago’s original devious plan to strip Cassio of his Lieutenancy was not enough for him. Nothing was ever enough for him. He would only be satisfied if everyone around him was unhappy, which would then make him happy. So, due to his never-ending sneaky strategies, he receives this blog’s MVPTB (Most Valuable Person to Blame) Award.
Othello: Talk. Communicate. Inform. Reach out. Pass on. Any way the word ‘talk’ is interpreted, the basis behind it is the same. However, a major key to life is to talk. The act of talking. Saying something to someone else, asking questions. I realize that I am being a bit repetitive, but after reading Othello, I must stress the importance of communication because OTHELLO DID NOT! If Othello would have just asked Desdemona from the beginning whether she slept with Cassio or not, Iago’s intentions to ruin lives would’ve been sabotaged and never happened. Othello would not have been accusing Desdemona of being a “strumpet” (IV. ii. 92), but most likely praising his beautiful wife. The play would’ve ended much differently, and would’ve been written more as a Shakespeare comedy rather than tragedy. Othello and Desdemona would’ve lived happily ever after (theoretically), and Iago would’ve had an astonishing view of the beach on Cyprus from behind metal bars. This alternate ending would have happened if it wasn’t for each character’s lack of communication with one another; and, even when they did communicate, they were very terse, which led to the downfall of Othello.
Roderigo: Oh, poor Roderigo. I really do feel for the guy, all he wanted to do was win the girl! Poor Roderigo. However, even though Roderigo wasn’t the main reason the play ended how it did, he sure didn’t help any. He knew all of Iago’s cataclysmic schemes from the beginning, and was Iago’s “purse” (I.i.2) throughout the whole story. Roderigo was never his own man, and this was shown when he never contradicted anything Iago said. Without any of the money, Iago couldn’t possibly have continued his plans. Also, if Roderigo wasn’t so easily manipulated and blinded by love, he could’ve revealed Iago’s true aspirations to the rest of the characters. Maybe ‒ just maybe ‒ if Rodergo would’ve been the one to turn Iago in, Desdemona would’ve left Othello for him. It is extremely far fetched, but, the world will never know. So, because Roderigo’s lack of participation in reprehending Iago, he received 7.7% of the blame, and also won this blog’s MLNGG (Most Likely to Never Get the Girl) Award.