Are Othello's Persuasion Or Mistaken Moral View?

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Someone’s moral status depends on the intentions of that person; meaning just because you go to church every week, or do simple good deeds doesn’t mean you are a good person. Even though actions speak louder than words, our minds ring out louder than a clap of thunder. As said by Aristotle, “Someone who acts out of mistaken belief about a relevant matter of fact may not be morally culpable for what would otherwise be a bad action” (Porter, 23). In that statement there were a few exceptions, like someone who acts out of a mistaken moral view, like our good friend Othello. His acts were done without all of the information, but his act was done with an immoral view. Recent theologians come to his rescue sayings that a person is not responsible…show more content…
Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false; As where's that palace whereinto foul things Sometimes intrude not? Who has a breast so pure, But some uncleanly apprehensions Keep leets and law-days and in session sit With meditations lawful?” (A3, S3, L133-141) In these lines above, and in the rest of their conversation, Iago uses reverse psychology to arise suspicion and hate for Desdemona and Cassio. All of this deception from Iago leads Othello to have crossed feelings for Desdemona. In the end Othello ends up taking ‘justice’ into his own hands and kills Desdemona for her wrongdoing. Although it isn’t definitely said, Othello was going to be imprisoned or even killed for his acts against Desdemona. Lodovico in the final scene of the play says to Othello: “You must forsake this room, and go with us: Your power and your command is taken off, And Cassio rules in Cyprus. For this slave, If there be any cunning cruelty That can torment him much and hold him long, It shall be his. You shall close prisoner rest, Till that the nature of your fault be known To the Venetian state. Come, bring away “ (A5, S2,…show more content…
His job, his status, and his love Desdemona all gone the moment he began to hold that pillow over her face. By the notion of the script, Othello was guilty and his punishment was imprisonment. According to the article by Jean Porter, Moral Mistakes, Virtue, and Sin: The Case of Othello, Othello’s suicide suggests that even he recognizes Desdemona’s death as a crime. Even though he acts out of a true mistaken belief, she argues out against his act. Whatever Desdemona may have done, there are a few out right points Jean makes in opposition: 1. Two wrongs don’t make a

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