Change Is Inevitable - Othello + Peace Train

Isabella Maher
Change is Inevitable

Change is inevitable. It affects everyone and everything. It is an unavoidable aspect of human existence that emerges and takes shape due to the actions of people and the paths they choose to travel. Change is the reason behind who we are and who we will become, as is evident in Othello authored by William Shakespeare. In Othello, Shakespeare portrays a dramatic change in personality and state of mind through his protagonist, Othello. A true deterioration in character and sense-of-self is conveyed through the tragic consequences of the actions of a desperate man who trusts the wrong people and searches for the truth. As Othello descends from the 'valiant' general who fetches 'life and being/From men of royal siege' to nothing more than a 'damned slave' Shakespeare highlights the Moor's former self in contrast to the person he becomes. It is because of Othello's fatal flaw, anger and jealousy, that this fall is allowed to occur. Through manipulation, Iago is able to play on Othello's trusting nature and plant the seeds of doubt in his mind and watch as he constructs 'the net/That shall enmesh them all.' Othello's nobility and high standing with Venice and its people shows how change can be positive or negative as it highlights the consequences of his fall. His stature is, quite ironically, first noted by Iago who states that his loathing towards the Moor is enhanced by that exact power he holds in Venice. The Duke himself holds Othello in highest regard and believes him to be 'far more fair than black.' Othello's good nature is once again highlighted by the racist slurs of 'witchcraft' from Brabantio which juxtaposes with his own comment 'keep up your bright swords'. In finality, it is Othello himself who shows the responder that he is a character of both integrity and noble cause, if not a little egotistical, through his rhetorical monologue that contradicts his previous comment of 'rude am I, in my speech' and gives the audience an insight to how even the highest of us can fall due to the constant process of change. Othello's transformation is guided by his own character and qualities, it is through his relationship with Desdemona, that Othello's alteration can be seen most vividly. His downfall is one so terrible that he is no longer a loving and noble husband, but a 'blacker devil'. Contrast is used to show the lover as he originally felt for his wife, compared to how he now feels, which is quite a leap from his declaration of 'my soul hath her so content'. The composer contests this image with that of a monster who has been 'engendered' by a 'jealousy so strong/that judgement cannot cure'. As the play continues, the monster imagery is further represented to reinforce Othello's stature as he rapidly succumbs to 'the green-ey'd monster'. Othello's descent is also highlighted through his change in language as his once eloquent and poetic statements of Desdemona's ethereal beauty is replaced by crude comments, sexual references and images of bestiality. The 'gentle Desdemona' has now been replaced in his mind as 'that cunning whore of Venice' and he himself is a 'horned man' Shakespeare has set up the characters in such a way, that we are able to watch Othello's change as it occurs and we can foresee the consequences that could come of his dramatic change in perspective. As in the conventions of Aristotelian tragedy, Othello's transcendence back to nobility can only occur if he recognises his mistakes and takes the responsibility that is his. Though some redemption is made by Othello when he describes himself as one who 'loved not wisely, but too well' Shakespeare is able to position the audience to question the recognition of his fatal flaw as he tells that he is 'one not made easily jealous'. Othello reinforces his military stature even in the face of his own demise showing his little knowledge of humanity as he depicts his sorrows through military images. He uses the simile 'like a base Judean' to compare himself to a Jewish barbarian who has 'thrown a pearl away' - a metaphor to describe his killing of Desdemona. Human frailty is drawn upon by Shakespeare through his portrayal of Othello who loses himself as a result of his own fatal flaw. Dramatic irony is employed as we know that Othello's first choice was of course the best and Iago, through his own belief of wrongness and that he himself is superior, the reader is further shown the ironic lack of judgement displayed by all characters in the play. In addition, Cat Stevens is able to extend upon the fragility of human existence that Shakespeare introduces through the song Peace Train. Visionary change is explored through the song showing that it is often part of an imaginary realm as it invites the reader to consider a world free of war and despair, and to instead see a change to a world of peace and happiness. The extended metaphor that peace is a train which can transport the world from its destructive reality, metaphorically represented by "out on the edge of darkness", is the central message around which the song is constructed. Stevens is suggesting that the world needs to "jump on the peace train" and become a part of his hopeful vision of world change. Stevens' words are those with positive connotations such as "happy", "good", "holy" and "bliss" are used to describe his visionary world. It is through his choice of words that Stevens emphasises his vision of positive world change. These words are juxtaposed with the negative connoted words of "hating", "crying" and "darkness" which describe "the world as it is". It is through these binary opposites that Stevens highlights the need of a positive imagination to transcend the negative aspects of reality. Rhetorical questions convey the persona's disappointment with the current standing of the world, thee ask "why must we go on hating/why can't we live in bliss?" Furthermore, Stevens conveys in Peace Train that for a real change to occur, there must be a collective desire evident. Through the repetitive rhythm of the song the image of train travelling along a track is employed and the words encourage the responder to join the train and become a part of the vision for change. As multiple voices join the oriental one voice in the chorus, a figurative suggestion of approaching peace is implored. He invites everyone to "jump on the peace train" which is "sounding louder". As the song progresses, the once positive vision of change fades. The multiple voices trail off and one voice is left, plaintively longing for a world of peace contending that his vision of the "peace train" remains in the imaginative world as a longing rather than a vision for real change. Cat Stevens implores that for real change to occur a collective desire must be evident.