Editor's Choice
How does Mark Twain's quote relate to Othello?
Quick answer:
Mark Twain's quote about lies relates closely to "Othello," as the play's plot hinges on characters believing lies over truth. Iago's deceit convinces Othello of Desdemona's infidelity, despite her loyalty. The lies, like Twain's metaphor, spread quickly and lead to tragic outcomes, including Desdemona's death. This demonstrates the power of deception and the human tendency to accept falsehoods, echoing Twain's observation of lies traveling faster than truth.
What a fantastic question! This quotation is extremely pertinent to Shakespeare's Othello—in effect, it describes the plot of the play, which revolves around Iago's lies and how these are far more convincing to Othello than the truths Desdemona tells him.
In the play, Desdemona is, of course, not sleeping with Cassio—Desdemona is completely loyal to her husband and has no intention of betraying him. However, this truth has little effect on Othello when Desdemona implores him, in the final act, not to kill her. Instead, the lies Iago has "poured" into Othello's ear have worked far more quickly. With the use of such props as Othello's handkerchief, Iago is able to convince Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio; this has devastating effects on Cassio—who loses his position—and, especially, upon Desdemona, who dies at the hand of her husband. Nobody who is truthful in this play gets...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
anywhere once the lie has taken root in Othello's mind. Plagued by jealousy, Othello allows Iago's insidious lies to travel quickly; gossip, in the end, is far more persuasive than any attempt to counter it, and has swift and fatal results.
This quote relates perfectly to Othello because much of the plot turns on people believing lies and deceptions instead of the truth.
This quote from Mark Twain is saying that this is exactly how things go in life. People hear and repeat and believe lies. That is why the lie can "travel halfway around the world." By contrast, people seem to be less inclined to believe the truth.
In this play, Iago uses lies over and over again to maneuver Othello to his doom. Othello and others are willing to believe these lies (the biggest of which is that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him) but not the truth. Because Othello is willing to believe the lies, he kills Desdemona.
The plot of this play depends on people believing lies rather than the truth. That is exactly what happens in real life, according the quote from Twain that you cite.