Essays on Othello

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 Continue reading...

Theater is one of the most ancient forms of art. The beginning of Western civilization, ancient Greece, lived a very important part in the development of this form, with many plays reaching classical status, like Oedipus King and the Oresteia trilogy. Aristotle, one of the most important Greek philosophers, offered six elements of drama in his work Poetics: setting, characters, theme, plot, language and music. These have served as a reference to study these types of works of art from antiquity to this day. The first three will serve as a guide for the analysis and comparison of important Continue reading...

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 of the Masses
Continue reading...

Literary Criticism

15th of December
Beautiful Minds
Literal analysis is crucial elements that help in critical analysis of the works of literature. In the context of the play ‘Goodnight Desdemona, good morning Juliet' is an indication of a play that can be applied with the help of the theories. A vindication of the right of women according to Mary is evident in the play. Critically, we seek to understand the cries of women in the play and their seeking to find out the root causes of their problems and the best way to curb them. Her thought indicates that women should Continue reading...

Literal analysis is crucial elements that help in critical analysis of the works of literature. In the context of the play ‘Goodnight Desdemona, good morning Juliet' is an n indication of a play that can be applied with the help of the theories. A vindication of the right of women according to Mary is evident in the play. Critically, we seek to understand the cries of women in the play and their representing to find out the root causes of their problems and the best way to curb them. Her thought indicates that women should have access to education Continue reading...

Introduction

The book, “Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice,” written by William Shakespeare, was written in 1603, which is based on the Italian short story known as “Un Capitano Moro (“A Moorish Captain”) which was written by Cinthio. The main character in the book is Othello, a Moorish general who worked and served in Venetian army. In the book, there are also other major characters such as Desdemona and Cassio. The book carries a variety of themes ranging from racism, jealousy, betrayal, love, repentance, and revenge. In this section, we shall focus on the theme of race as depicted Continue reading...

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 in Continue reading...

Tartuffe

Moreover, the following comments of Orgon’s mother about Elmire reflect the disapproval of her behaviour:
A woman who would please her husband's eyes
Alone, wants no such wealth of fineries (Moliere Act 1).
A woman should behave according to a great number of rules to be approved by society. Also, here Moliere shows strained relationship between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law that is of interest nowadays as well. Madame Pernelle claims that Elmire is a bad example for her step children, she constantly compares her with Orgon’s departed wife, constantly saying that she was a great mother Continue reading...

In Othello and Oedipus we see characters that are vain and incapable of coming to peace with the truth that their lives have reached because the truth is deeply tragic. Both feel compelled to punish themselves. The manner of punishment that they inflict on themselves is different. This difference is revealing of the personalities of the two characters. When we compare literary characters, many considerations must be taken into account. What the plot of the story is; where does the character figure among other characters in the plot; and what the personality traits of the characters are, are few Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

“Othello” is one of Shakespeare’s most intense plays and reflects the Aristotelian ideas of the perfect tragedy. According to Aristotle, “A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious,” (From Poetics, p.1). In addition, the tragedy has a “magnitude [that is] complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language [and] in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear,” (From Poetics, p.1). In other words, an outstanding tragedy looks at a single issue that is very important in the play and allows the reader to feel pity and fear for the hero Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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 malice. The Continue reading...

Introduction

Race, gender and power are issues that affect our day-to-day life and can hinder or promote progress, depending on how they are handled. Race and gender are issues that a person has to live with as he or she has no choice once found to belong to a particular group. There am2qare challenges that comes with being born in a certain gender depending on expectations of the society. Power, on the other hand is an occurrence that can happen or disappear depending on the circumstances. Since the issues of gender, power and race are part of our life, it Continue reading...

Othello is one of the Shakespearean works which exhibit the themes of love and jealousy. It tells of a story in which Othello is a Moorish North African general who gets into a marriage with a Venetian woman Desdemona. Iago is another character in this piece of work that clearly spells out how jealousy is portrayed. According to Bradley, sexual jealousy comes with a sense of shame and humiliation and this is what makes it hidden. By internalizing it humans being to have a feeling of shame and will always want to avoid such occurrences. When this jealousy is Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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, encouraging a Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

English:

My scene is set in new Washington dc in 1938.this is because this was a time of uncertainty. War was looming and the whole world knew that a world war was imminent just like war was looming in Othello. The scene is set in Washington dc because it is the capital of the United States 0f America. If any military strategies were to be discussed about war in 1938 they would most definitely be discussed in Washington. The scene chosen in this recasting is the very first scene in the very first act. This is the scene where Roderigo Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

Introduction

Masterpieces written by different authors always have a point of relation. William Shakespeare an outstanding author of several plays emphasized on relations in his characters. The characterization by Shakespeare has resulted to authors to model in relations their characters with characters fashioned by William Shakespeare. Tayed Salih in his work “Season of migration to the North,” deliberates on direct relation of the character Mustafa Sa'eed with Othello. The comparison is purely on the attitudes evident on Othello and Sa’eed. The direct relation by Salih precedes other comparison of his work to other Shakespearean plays such as “The Tempest.” Continue reading...

Conflict in literature is normally used to develop a story or build some aspects of a character. Conflict in this case comes about when there are two opposing forces that tend to play a trick on a character and this can be internal or external. A good example can be seen in the play Othello by Shakespeare where this is eminent conflict within Hamlet. In Oedipus by Sophocles too, there is a major conflict that exists with the King and fate.
Internal conflict is normally seen when a character is internally fighting with an issue and this can be Continue reading...

In the full title of his tragedy, Othello, The Moor of Venice, Shakespeare announces the place of origin and race of the titular character. The two matters of such important significance as is later demonstrated. Notably the actions in this play unfold in two distinct geographical areas, the cities of Venice and Cypress. There is also frequent reference to two types of outsiders, ‘the Moor’ and ‘the Turks’. An understanding of the inherent opinions and prejudices of his Jacobean audience is obviously reflected in Shakespeare’s setting of the play. He understands and so does his audience, the significance Continue reading...

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, Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

Humans are known to adapt to different circumstances in terms of personality over and over again. There are so many factors that influence this and one of them is the environment in which one finds himself or herself in. William Shakespeare in his play, Othello, creates the character Othello as an individual who changes throughout the play. Othello passes off a tragic hero by virtue of what he goes through throughout the play. It is therefore imperative to look at him as a character that embodies very many aspects among them a person characterized by so many flaws, good Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

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. Continue reading...

The sense of love, compassion and nobility is exhausted in Othello. It is replaced by a growing sense of misogyny, harshness and ignominy. Act IV of the play depicts this replacement, and we find that the principle characters are not those who act, but those who suffer.
In the first scene of the act, and after being convinced of the unfaithfulness of his wife, Othello confronted Desdemona and accused her of betrayal. His imagination is manipulated by Iago’s lies that he interprets his wife’s denial as a proof of her sin. Even though Othello does not deny Continue reading...

Othello is introduced, at the beginning of the plays, as a black man who lives in Venice, Italy. He is known for his noble soul. Although he is black in skin, he had a white heart. In addition, he was brave and he became a leader in the Italian Army for he won many battles. However, by the end of the play, all these qualities, initially attributed to him, are put into question.
Throughout the play, Othello becomes more and more addicted to the venomous and bestial language of Iago .He swings crazily between the desire for blissful ignorance Continue reading...

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 Continue reading...

- 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 Continue reading...

Introduction

For a character to qualify as a tragic hero, he or she must not entirely be of good character or a completely evil character. Rather, he or she must be a good person but who contributes to own destruction due to some fatal flaw or some moral weakness.
Othello by Shakespeare is the perfect exemplification of a tragic hero. In the beginning of the story, Shakespeare portrays Othello as a consummate leader of the military whose thoughts are essentially governed by reason and logic. He has everything at his disposal. He had enormous success at war and is one Continue reading...