Internal Resistance in Othello

Laurence Sterne stated a fact when he wrote, “No body, but he who has felt it, can conceive what a plaguing thing it is to have a man’s mind torn by two projects of equal strength, both obstinately pulling in a contrary direction at the same time.” Often a character’s conflict is the major theme of a novel. This character’s decisions influence the outcome of the plot of the novel. In Shakespeare’s play Othello, the character Othello is torn between the love he has for his wife, Desdemona, and the idea of her being intimate with one of his close friends and lieutenant.
Othello has disregarded Iago in filling the position of the army lieutenant, instead giving the promotion to Cassio. Iago continues his position as Othello’s bearer all the while allowing a grudge against both Othello and Cassio to develop and vows to have revenge upon both of them. Iago knows that Desdemona’s father disproves of her relationship with Othello and initiates his revenge by rousing Braba...