Essays on Cassio

There can be no denial of the fact that literary works provide the creative artist with the utmost liberty to delve deep into interpersonal relationships and depth of emotions, thereby exploring the very true essence of human nature through the creative works of art. If one takes into consideration the famous play, Othello, penned by the acclaimed playwright, William Shakespeare, the quintessential exploration and depiction on the part of the creative artist can very well be comprehended as the play deciphers the subtleties of emotions and interpersonal relationship between the two sexes through the apt portraiture of the main ...

Introduction

If an individual were to compare and analyze the film “Othello” written by Allen Parker with the film “O” which was directed by Tim Blake Nelson, they would find a variety of similarities and differences amongst the two pieces of works. Though both the film “O” and the film “Othello” is based off of the original play done by William Shakespeare, there are distinct differences between the two films in context and basic thematic elements. There is also an array of similarities correlating to social context that are prominent throughout both films. Whereas; most viewers will notice right away ...

Introduction

William Shakespeare is one of the prolific authors in literature, because he employs many devices that give his character depth. These devices can be manifested in the speech of the characters; as an author, Shakespeare effectively plays on words to give them multiple meanings which can be left to the reader’s interpretation. One example of this is in his play Othello, a story about the titular character and his conquests amidst the attempts of a traitorous comrade named Iago to destroy him. In this play, Iago delivers a series of soliloquies which reveal a lot about his character— ...

Abstract

The book The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice was written by the most famous poet of the world, William Shakespeare. This is a story about love, jealousy, and revenge. Othello, the protagonists in the story, is a Moor and a general in the army. His role in the Venetian army makes him a significant figure. Upon his promotion, Othello became the main victim when Iago and Rodrigo connived against him in order to destroy him. The jealousy of Rodrigo powered his hatred towards the man. Othello’s downfall was almost assured because of Iago’s flawless plotting ...

In the historical time, women had few roles within the community, diminishing their effect towards the practices, laws, and structure of the society. Historical information characterizes women as housewives, whose main work was to take care of the family and its needs such as food, clothes and water among other things. However, there were women who made great progress in changing the stereotypes set by the community by exerting their knowledge towards the current affairs and way of life. Some of the men felt intrigued by their presence while others saw them as equals. Hence, it was a struggle ...

[Client’s name]

One of the most popular Shakespeare’s tragedies is Othello. It is often called a tragedy of betrayed faith. Even these most intelligent and noble people are not able to resist deception, stealth and agility of others! A gallery of images, which is a different generation of Venetian civilization, crowned by the image of the worst of its representative, Iago. Personally I believe that his actions made him the most dangerous villain of all the Shakespeare’s plays. The essence of Shakespeare's tragedy lies in the clash of two principles, the humanistic feelings (pure and noble ...

Iago hates Othello because Othello received the promotion that was supported to be for Iago. Feeling disgusted over Othello’s promotion that he referred him to be “one Michael Cassio” because it is the job that is fitting for him and to be as Iago’s military lieutenant. Iago feels that he is more qualified than Cassio because the experience of Iago experience is on the battlefield where the real action takes place. Iago cannot contain his jealousy over his non-promotion because he believes that he possesses all qualities and skills suitable for the coveted position. However, the real ...

The master craftsman, William Shakespeare, in his Othello and The Winter’s Tale portrays some curious facets of femininity, maybe deliberately or not. Desdemona in Othello is a Venetian beauty with astute and resolute individuality, while Hermione in The Winter’s Tale is mysterious and majestic. When we take the reality aspect, the former is more realistic and true to life, which has implications even in this modern present. The latter is to an extent unreal, and somewhat fantasy. Character is everything in Shakespeare’s plays; the works have no existence apart from the characters. In Shakespeare’s plays, ...

In Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello, the real villain is Iago. While many of the other characters, particularly Othello himself, commit actions that go against humanity, these events are orchestrated by Iago. On his quest to extract revenge against the Moor of Venice, Iago manipulates, tricks, and lies to everyone in the town to ensure that his plan falls into place. He shows no regard for anyone else, or for the moral code that resides within every human being. Iago is a villain because he only cares about himself, and his own happiness. He is bitter about Cassio being ...

The handkerchief is white with red strawberries representing beauty, fertility and purity. It is important because it had belonged to Othello’s mother. It had been given to his father by his mother as a way to ensure his faithfulness to her. The handkerchief symbolizes loyalty, and faithfulness as well as family history to Othello. Othello implies that the handkerchief has magical properties when he says “there’s magic in it” (cite). This gives the implication that the handkerchief has a darker side to it. Later events seem to indicate that the magic/ power of the handkerchief lies in ...

Othello is a tragedy play by William Shakespeare written in 1603. The play is based on the story Un Capitano Moro by Cinthio that was published in 1565 (Bert 2). The play revolves around four major characters namely Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Iago. Othello was a Moorish general in the Venetian army while Desdemona was his beloved wife. Cassio, on the other hand, was Othello’s trusted but unfaithful pennant partner while Iago was a close working colleague to Othello, who has constituted to the development of major themes in the play due to his character. The cunning character ...

Lago, in Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, can be construed to be a malevolent character. It is he, who plotted the downfall of the hero. He deceived Othello into believing that Desdemona had been unfaithful to him to seek revenge. Othello, the protagonist, loved Desdemona, and finally, with the consent of the elders, married her. Their love was the talking point of the people of Venice. However, their bonding in love that culminated in their marriage ended barely three weeks later in a treacherous murder. Othello was a great Moorish general who was well respected and admired by all, while Desdemona was considered to ...

Introduction

Literature has for long time been used as a communication's path in society from one generation to the other. It is widely used as a way of expressing one’s thoughts and sentiments. Moreover, scholars use literature as a platform to criticize their opponents’ style of approaching issues and propose alternative solutions to the underlying issue. Literature could be expressed orally or in written form in the current century; literature is preserved as video and audio tapes, published articles or scholarly books.

In-depth Analysis

William Shakespeare is one of the ancient scholars who expressed their feelings, opinions and intuitions through writing. In one ...

Othello, a play written by William Shakespeare begins in Venice, a powerful center of banking and commercial activities and also known for its military prowess. The plot of the play revolves around Othello, a black Moor who is also an army general, Iago, his aide, Desdemona, his wife and Cassio who became his lieutenant. After Othello marries Desdemona, her father is opposed to it and takes the matter to the Duke. It is ruled that what Othello did was wrong and he is sent to war as a result. His wife accompanies him to Cyprus as well as Cassio and Iago.

Because Iago ...

Major Events

In this act, Roderigo intends to hurt Cassio but instead, Cassio’s leg is hurt by Iago. Othello hears the cries and the first impression is that Iago has wounded Cassio. He declares to resolve avenging on his wife while exiting. Gratiano and Lodovico also hear Cassio’s cries but Iago pretends not to do know what is going on. Iago stabs Roderigo when Gratiano and Lodovico are looking away but Roderigo does not die immediately but ends up incriminating Iago through the letters present in his pocket. Iago tries to frame Bianca which is an indication that he ...

Thesis: Based on Aristotle’s definition of not only a tragic hero but also of tragedy, Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice could rightly be described as a tragedy due to the main character’s lack of knowledge as well as due to the play’s depiction of a community and adherence to tragic guidelines. - Othello as a Tragic Hero - Noble and Admirable Characteristics - Common, Human Elements - The Issue of Race in Separating Othello from Other Characters - Othello’s Tragic Flaw or Mistake - Adherence to Greek Tradition - Presence ...

William Shakespeare’s famous play, Othello, is deemed as one of the best literary works in the history of literature. The play being one of the most interesting works of literature portrays the most intricate characters. The character of the protagonist of the play, Othello, stands out with its traits and expression of emotions. The playwright weaves the character with sheer genius, and it leaves an everlasting mark on the minds of the audience and the readers of the play. The play exposes the very subtleties of emotions of Othello with the course of events that take place ...

GRA #2

Othello In this paper such important issues as the theme of civil disorder, status of a person as an outsider in adopted culture, issues of race, gender and class are viewed on the example of Shakespeare’s tragedy “Othello”, alongside with symbolic meaning of the setting in the tragedy. Civil disorder is defined as a public disturbance that involves acts of pressure, violence, damages, immediate danger and injuries to people and their property. For example, signs of civil disorder in “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles are revealed in the very beginning and go through the whole tragedy. Thus, committing many ...

The play, Othello, penned by the stalwart playwright, William Shakespeare, is one his most intricately written works of art. The play delves deep into the subtleties of human emotions and explores the psyche of the human mind. The play goes on to look into the changes of the human heart, and also the factors which influence a man to change over the course of time. The character of Othello, the protagonist of the play, goes through several such events that make him evolve as a person over the time. His psychological journey is manipulated by several events that work as catalysts ...

Introduction

Review of the Shakespeare play “Othello” considers the subordinate role of Emilia. The attentive audience sees her character seemingly morph during the play from a silent sphinx-like shadow among the animated characters strutting and fretting their (hour) roles upon the stage (Macbeth 5:5) emerging with wisdom and misplaced loyalty to her sinisterly driven husband Iago. A critical analysis of this character from the perspective of the professional psychologist reveals her critical behavior regarding the infamous handkerchief forsaking her devotion to her mistress Desdemona resulting in the tragic end of this drama she is the victim of the most typical and ...

Introduction:

As in Oedipus the King, a major theme in Othello is man's inability to reliably distinguish between what seems to be and what actually is. Explain how this shared theme of "uncertain vision" is treated somewhat differently in Othello than it is in Oedipus the King.

In this land, said the god; "who seeks shall find; Who sits with folded hands or sleeps is blind."

Thesis: The shared theme of "uncertain vision" is treated somewhat differently in Othello than it is in Oedipus the King Argument: Oedipus and Othello both suffer because they believe lies that others told. However the motivations behind those lies, and the reasons for believing them are different. Iago lies out of ...

Introduction

Throughout one's life, conflict plays a major role. Conflict is a kind of discord, argument or disagreement arising within the self or a group. This is what is known as internal and external conflict. Internal conflict occurs in the mind of an individual when they face two opposing issues or alternatives or when they find fault with their own actions or character. External conflict, on the other hand, happens between one person and another or group. Conflict can also arise between what is imagined or apparent, to what is the reality. For example, the characters and the text present this form of ...

Verbal images related to the themes of love and jealousy in the later tragedies, "Othello" and "Antony and Cleopatra" help to understand the psychology of the characters, to penetrate into the patterns of these powerful passions. These images are very different from the metaphorical style in the early tragedy "Romeo and Juliet" – where they transmit power to suddenly erupted spontaneous feeling, which seems something sacred to the heroes. Romeo’s first words addressed to Juliet, express awe in this metaphor:

If I profane with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand Juliet responds, ...

The main characters of Shakespeare’s works are usually somewhat tragic in nature – they often end with something bad befalling them because of dramatic irony. With his play Othello, the eponymous figure is a tragic one, in which the fact that he is of a different race leads Iago and others to plot against him and bring about his downfall. Shakespeare’s Othello is shown to be a heroic African figure adopted by the Romans, perpetually battling the prejudices of others to get by in his own work and life, just to be taken down by a villainous figure who is afraid of ...

Malevolent characters are some of the most impactful and remembered characters in stories both classical and modern. They are the characters most disturbed, most though about, and most revealing. They are almost the antithesis of the main characters, exploiting their weaknesses and using them to their advantages. What the malevolent characters seek is control. In both of the plays “Othello” and “A Doll’s House” there is one character who exceeds and being malevolent. Iago and Krostad are both characters who manipulate other people in play in order to play to their advantage, as well as exposing the protagonists ...

Introduction:

Probably the best Shakespeare play ever written, Othello is full of jealousy and intrigue which focuses on a three way triumvirate of love. The characters are singular creations especially the aptly described ‘Moor of Venice’ who is Othello. However the most singular character is Iago who seems to be ever present in the play and is evil in several ways. Desdemona is also weak and gullible and succumbs to his goading while Othello is also blinded by all sorts of jealousy. This is a case of the classic love triangle where the woman is loved by two men and the men ...

In many instances, authors use powerful ideas that shift their readers in a way that intrigues their every day understanding of life. It is not debatable that Robert Browning and William Shakespeare were legendary writers of their time. It is also not ironic that although there are years separating the two writers, their work contains similar themes. As a common ground for my comparisons, this paper examines the common ideas and how the themes are brought out in William Shakespeare’s “Othelo”, and Robert Browning’s two poems “My Last Duchess” and “The Laboratory”. Using characters Iago in Othelo, The Duke ...

Othello, considered as one of the most painful Shakespearean tragedies (Bradley 176), is a fine demonstrator of a man’s mental vulnerability when temptation begins to penetrate his mind, blurring his judgment. In the book Shakespearean Tragedy, Othello is not only a noble hero who is brought down by fatal jealousy, perhaps, because he has married before his time “But, I pray you, sir, Are you fast married? (II, 10-12), according to Iago, but also a protagonist of domestic tragedy that is characterized by repetitive themes, such as love and hate, intrigue and jealousy, revenge and suspicion, self-interest, racism and judgment (Hunt 55). ...

Iago is a fictional character from Othello – a play written by William Shakespeare. He is the husband to Emilia, and the attendant to Othello. As a soldier, Iago fights many battles alongside Othello but when the time for promotion comes, Michael Cassio passes him over the promotion. Iago is not happy about this new development and hatches a plan for revenge. Iago is extremely vengeful and vengeance motivates his actions. For instance, after Othello fails to promote him, Iago plans to bring his rule to a standstill. He also plans to manipulate Othello to demote Cassio. His dislike for Cassio stems from the ...

When a person thinks about the treatment of women in Shakespeare’s Othello in historical terms, that thinking would lead us to the understanding of the role of women in the time and context that the play was written, in Elizabethan England, where women were subservient to men, who ran the society. Even during the time of the play’s first production, women were barred from being actors and men played those characters. There is a marginalization of both women, and of minorities within the play and Othello is rife with instances of it both being portrayed. It is important ...

Jealousy and rage are the main driving force for Iago and Hugo, who are inherently evil. They have very few saving qualities, one of which is the ability to convince and charm people to believing in their loyalty and honesty. For example, although Iago is referred to as “Honest Iago”, the audience is soon introduced to his rage and strong desire for revenge - in spite of the fact that he does not have a good enough reason for this. They both feel inadequate, and this brings about jealousy which they allow to take over and completely control their lives. Hugo ...

Act I

- We learn that Othello is a racial outsider, yet still a highly respected soldier in Venice. - Iago’s speech indicates that he is displeased with Cassio’s promotion and is developing a plot to get revenge on Othello. The line indicates his two faced tendancies. Othello, married to Desdemona, holds a place of honor as a general. Iago, one of Othello’s soldiers becomes angry that Othello has passed him up for promotion and develops a complex plan to ruin Othello by starting rumors about Desdemona - He declares that his daughter was stolen from him by the magic of the ...

Jealousy is a theme that has prominently appeared in the novel. This is spurred by the need of the characters to be protective of what they posses as well as obtaining what they believe rightfully belong to them. This eventually spurs hatred among some characters who act without finding out the truth. The two main characters, Othello and Iago are in contention of what Iago felt that Othello stole Desdemona by witchcraft and made her his wife. The plans to frustrate their marriage were defeated when Desdemona stated clearly before his father Brabanzio that she loved Othello and was now ...

William Shakespeare is the person who has really left some unforgettable master pieces behind him. For many years, his plays, poems and stories have been the focus of discussion and even the subject essentials in the lives of people and in many institutions. That is why he is called ‘Bird of Avon’ of Elizabethan period. Whether it is a romantic play, a sad poem or any other situational work, William Shakespeare has made each of his writing a memorable piece. Othello is one of those master pieces. And this piece is worldly known for its twist and chemistry in presentation. Firstly, ...

Evil is a force that has been at work in the world since the very beginning of time. Some of the very first deeds in recorded history show the influence of this budding corrosion tht began to grow within the human heart almost immediately after creation. The Old Testament tells the story of Adam and Eve, placed in a paradisical garden and given access to every blessing, only to eat from the only tree forbidden to them. One of their sons (Cain) would kill the other one (Abel) in a simple argument over the acceptability of sacrifices to God. Much of human ...

Shakespeare’s Othello is a story of tragedy. Iago’s deeds are satanic and devilish. Throughout the play, he manages to disseminate hatred and doubt among the characters. Profiting from Othello’s faith and naivety, Iago deceives Othello and instils jealousy in him and makes him believe that Desdemona is betraying him. In act II, Iago starts working on his villainous plan. Being alone with Roderigo, Iago reveals the first step of his plan of undermining Othello’s happiness. Othello considers Cassio as his left hand, which makes Iago jealous. As such, he uses Caasio and Roderigo to get ...

- How does Iago ultimately convince Othello of Desdemona's infidelity? Is it convincing? Why do you think Othello thinks it is? Iago ultimately convinced Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity by making up a story about Cassio. Iago narrated to Othello that while Cassio and him were sleeping, Cassio started sleep talking and started calling Desdemona’s name. Cassio began kissing and caressing Iago, imagining that Iago is Desdemona. One thinks that the story of Iago is quite believable considering that Othello is beginning to doubt Desdemona’s fidelity already. Furthermore, Iago had to remind Othello that Cassio served as a go-between ...

Introduction:

Othello is perhaps one of the best known Shakespeare plays and it explores the theme of doomed love as well as tragedy and envy throughout. Apart from being a play, it has also been written as an opera by Giuseppe Verdi in a version which is actually almost as famous as the original. The play explores the unhinged jealousy of Othello regarding Desdemona, his wife whom he suspects of having an affair with Cassio urged on by the supposedly faithful lieutenant Iago who eventually leads Othello to taking his own life. It is a dark and classic tale of jealousy and intrigue ...

Introduction

Othello is the most tragic dominant hero of Shakespeare, since his definitive demolition is so much a purpose of his best excellences, as disparate to persons like MacBeth, Lear, and Hamlet, who are damaged by their most horrible. Othello is a gracious fighter, however greatly an innocent and far too hoping of other men's advice, and consequently he is simple victim for Iago, who in order might be greatest villain of Shakespeare, since he is so simply wickedness. Richard III, by compare, as a force of wickedness, is as well just more appealing and bright than those about him. Iago has not ...

I ago has been described in Othello as an opportunist who seems to care less about other people’s fillings. He is so much full of himself that he is willing to do anything just to fulfill and satisfy his interests. He seems to be unsatisfied about his life and always thinks someone is responsible for his predicament. In the first instance, we encounter, he feels that Cassio, who is Othello’s attendant did not deserve the position. He is determined to claim it and this is not just by being a loyal friend to Othello but using his household ...

The primary characters of Shakespeare’s plays typically have an element of tragedy to them: some unfortunate outcome for them that occurs either despite their circumstances or because of them. In the case of Othello, the titular character is a tragic figure whose race leads many, including Iago, to scheme against him and lead to his downfall. In this essay, the character of Othello will be examined in terms of his race and behavior, through the lens of G.K. Hunter's "Othello and Color Prejudice." Here, Othello is presented as a black man who is a heroic figure, constantly fighting against the perceptions ...

Othello is a tragedy that was written by William Shakespeare. The storyline is centered on Othello, his wife Desdemona, Cassio, his lieutenant and Iago, his aide. Othello is a black Moor who serves as general in the Venetian army. He secretly marries a beautiful Venetian girl named Desdemona and her father, Brabantio reports this to the Duke of Venice. Othello fails in his defense and is ordered to war in Cyprus. He goes with his wife together with Cassio whom he had made lieutenant and Iago his aide. When the Turkish fleet is scattered, Iago uses this opportunity to destroy Othello due ...

Literature connection

Shakespeare’s use of irony is very clear in Othello as was in his other literary works. In this particular play, Shakespeare employs the use of three kinds of irony. These include verbal, situational and dramatic irony. Verbal irony is a situation where a character says words that are in contrast to that character’s intention. Situational irony is when a given action of a character is in contrast to the characters actual intentions. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something about the character that the character does not seem to know (Colebrook 45). Shakespeare has used too much of this to ...

Othello is one of the most famous and acclaimed literary works of William Shakespeare, who is dexterous in portraying love, betrayal and jealousy in his creations. The play Othello focuses on its main theme jealousy and also educates about its possible effects. The Othello kills his wife and himself which shows how jealousy can ruin the lives. Jealousy is present in several forms in the play and it has been presented as ferocious in all the forms. This paper discusses the jealousy as the main theme of Othello and further looks at several related aspects. One incident of ...

Shakespeare’s Othello is a thoughtless victim of pride, whose capacity of self-deception reaches astonishing heights. Unlike Iago, Othello’s strengths and flaws are not easily assessed, as he both elicits the readers respect and sympathy. Yet, the tragic ending is mostly the doing of this possessory and skeptical husband, whose lack of faith in his own wife and his misplaced trust cause his spectacle of ruin. Iago is quite possibly the most odious villain in all of Shakespeare’s dramas, and his utter lack of veritable motivation for his actions fuel the entire course of the play. Referring ...

Shakespeare’s Protests against Institutional Racism in Elizabethan England

Othello is not the only play in the Shakespearean canon that features racism, and it certainly is not the only play that challenges social mores. Whether it’s the feisty Beatrice, in Much Ado About Nothing, turning social convention on its head, in the sense that women were supposed to be prim and proper in Elizabethan England, when she wows Benedick with her powerful desire to save Hero, or whether it’s the Jew Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, endowed with many of the physical characteristics associated with the worst stereotypes associated with members of his religion but ...

Othello by William Shakespeare is a classic example of a Good vs. Evil story. Iago is the quintessential Evil where as Desdemona takes on the mantle of Good, pure and innocent. Caught in the battle between the two is Othello, who personifies the essence of a flawed human nature. It is up to the human to decide which side to take in the battle. Othello falls for the schemes of Iago and doubts Desdemona without just reason or cause. Hence, he is more responsible for killing Desdemona. Othello goes from a self-assured man who is successful and has the love of his wife ...

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the central conflict which is pivotal to the plot is the question of trust between friends and enemies alike. A key example of this is in the opening scene when Iago begins to manipulate the emotions of several key characters by revealing the secret elopement of Desdemona and Othello: “Your daughter and the Moor are making the beast with two backs.” (Act 1, scene 1). This reveal enables the rest of the plot to unfold in which Iago orchestrates an imagined affair which ultimately causes Othello to murder his beloved Desdemona. Trust is a theme ...

The primary characters of Shakespeare’s plays typically have an element of tragedy to them: some unfortunate outcome for them that occurs either despite their circumstances or because of them. In the case of Othello, the titular character is a tragic figure whose race leads many, including Iago, to scheme against him and lead to his downfall. In this essay, the character of Othello will be examined in terms of his race and behavior, through the lens of G.K. Hunter's "Othello and Color Prejudice." Here, Othello is presented as a black man who is a heroic figure, constantly fighting against the perceptions ...