Othello, the Moor of Venice Throughout history, powerful empires with boundless control have had a tendency to fall victim to corruption. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. William Shakespeare's "Othello, the Moor of Venice" contains several themes, but one theme in particular supports the truth of this knowledge. In "Othello, the Moor of Venice," the theme of control is one that causes corruption. Othello's control is stolen by Iago and, Iago's overbearing control of Othello's emotions causes chaos and absence of control until Lodovico arrives at the end of the story. At the beginning of the play, Othello is in control. First of all, he is appointed by the Duke of Venice to lead the Venetian forces. Having military leadership entails a great deal of control. As general, Othello has the power to organize and order the Venetian forces at will. Secondly, Othello has control in dangerous predicaments. After discovering the harmful intentions of Brabantio, Othello shows confidence of his control in Act I, Scene 2, and relies on his credentials: "Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory Shall outtongue his complaints." When Brabantio arrives with his troops and both sides draw their swords, Othello demonstrates his control again: "Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them." Through the whole ordeal, Othello remains an authoritative figure. Finally, Othello is mentally in control of his relationship with Desdemona. At the beginning of the play, there are no indications of mental corruption in Othello's mind regarding his ability to maintain loyalty from Desdemona. Othello speaks of their love in Act I, Scene 3: "She loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them". He believes in his wife's loyalty. All around, Othello is in complete control at the beginning of the play, but this changes dramatically.Iago is often regarded as Shakepeare's ...
