OTHELLO. By William Shakespeare

I did not like this work when I was young; I used to ponder over how unfair it was that the 'gorgeous' white lady, Desdemona would be killed despite completely being blameless; and additionally as an African myself it riled me that a black man "the Moor" would rise to such an important position in Europe - hundreds of years ago! - and lose it all, after the horrific 'slaying' of Desdemona his wife! It was a case of palpable unfairness to me. 

As the years rolled by I could hardly bear to read the play in the original again. Yet over the years, two things always stuck in my mind, re this superb play. Firstly it reminded me of an African proverb, "Eyinkule l'ota wa, ile ni aseni n'gbe" i.e "The enemy lurks somewhat in the backyard, but the arrant betrayer resides right inside one's house". Yes, that is "the honest Iago" in the context of this drama! 

Secondly I found Agatha Christie 's CURTAIN - the last Hercule Poirot mystery- so brilliant. Yet the whole work - the real villain - is based on the character of Iago; in other words, this Christie masterpiece was inspired mainly by Shakespeare's Othello. But of course Curtain is a mystery work, and it is at the end that we realise who the villain is.

In this play, Othello, one winces from the beginning when we realise how dangerous and evil Iago is, despite Othello trusting him so much. As Iago says to Roderigo ,"The Moor howbeit that I endure him not, Is of a constant, loving noble nature, And I dare think he will prove to Desdemona, A most dear husband..." Hence, Iago knows that Othello, despite being "different" is a rather good man, that he loves his wife dearly; but despite this he proceeds coldly and malevolently to destroy them both!

We know how he goes about this, finally propelling Othello into a jealous, murderous rage! Yet, Othello even as he prepares to kill his charming wife, is still very much in love with her and filled with guilt: "...and mak'st me call what I intend to do A murder, which I thought a sacrifice".

It is a real tragedy. Desdemona dies. Othello kills himself... What Iago has done - it upset me for donkey years - is so heinous. The conclusion of the play thus seems so tame as Lodovico says: "To you lord governor remains the censure of this hellish villain (ie Iago) The time, the place, the torture. O, enforce it!". Hmm...

-         O Bolaji