A Moor and renowned soldier leads the Venetian army to victory against the Turks. During this war, he marries a senator’s daughter, Desdemona. Many hold Othello in high esteem; however, his Ensign, Iago, resents him and plots a scheme to ruin his happiness. He plans to make Othello believe that Desdemona and his Lieutenant, Cassio, have an affair after Desdemona and Othello marry. Furthermore, Iago gets Cassio drunk and then stages a fight to turn Cassio against Othello. Iago, whom Othello believes to be honorable, plants the idea of the affair in Othello’s mind; consequently, Othello fills with jealousy and plans to murder Cassio and Desdemona for their disloyalty. Iago makes Othello believe that Desdemona gives Cassio her handkerchief which Othello gives her as a present at their wedding. He also stages a conversation between Iago and himself which implies that Cassio never cares for Desdemona. These events enrage Othello. Therefore, he asks Iago to kill Cassio while he murders Desdemona. Desdemona never knows of Othello’s thoughts or intentions. She believes that he appears hostile because of matters from the State or because of his disagreement with Cassio. Iago’s plan to murder Cassio fails; however, during this time, Othello strangles Desdemona. Later, Othello learns about Iago’s scheme and lies. Othello commits suicide out of despair and love for Desdemona. In William…
being madly in love with a girl named Rosaline just a few days earlier. Upon first seeing Juliet,…
Othello is a Shakespearean tragedy, set in Elizabethan Times that present the relationship between, Othello, a ‘moor’ who’s an official in the Venetian army and Desdemona, the daughter of a noble Venetian Senator, Brabantio, and how despite their different experiences in love, a strong relationship can occur, without any initial external input. Desdemona’s assertive behaviour towards romantically pursing Othello, demonstrates her confidence and power, which she maintains throughout the play. Most significantly, the fact that Othello did not ask for Brabantio’s permission to marry Desdemona, demonstrates how Othello did not consider the traditional values of Elizabeth society. However as they play develops, Iago’s manipulation of Othello’s insecurities, leads to the relationship between Othello and Desdemona falling apart.…
Within Act 5, Scene 2 of the Shakespearian play Othello, Lodovico tells Othello he is to lose command and Cassio will become the governor of Cyrpus instead. Subsequently, Othello is to be held prison and will await trial. It is from this point in the play that Othello protests his great service to Venice. From lines 338 to 356, Othello states his final speech before ultimately taking his own life. Here, Othello expresses his grief over what he has done feeling a strong sense of sin in his actions. His ego is still intact however as he mentions that he has done a great deed to the state despite the overshadowing for his act. Othello reaffirms his position as a figure who is simultaneously included and excluded from Venetian Society. Apparent in his final statement, he uses contradictions to explain his mental state before and after the manipulation of Iago. Another aspect revealed is the extent to which his sins have affected him and how he longs for the battles that helped him woo Desdemona’s love through his heroic stories.…
The reader is revealed to a noble man of the Northern African decent, an outsider who has come to be well regarded as a leader of Italian military might. He notably outwits Iago’s first attempt to separate him from Desdemona. Othello sways the duke’s opinion through eloquent speech and a steady hold of composure even when confronted with Brabanzio’s absurd accusation of witchcraft. Othello has wooed Desdemona through his rousing tales of adventure and war. As the seed of doubt grows and plans of revenge stem Othello loses his articulate speech and compelling words. As the reader is led up to the climax of his dreadfully evil action, it’s seen that Othello’s speech becomes sporadic and full of unwarranted emotion. Sentences are full of hiatuses and exclamation points; this ruins the sense of coherent flow of thought. Othello has become deeply rapt in the tales of the Iago, his distracted mind becomes more and more confused and overwhelmed by the supposed deception that is taking place out of his control. Othello is engrossed in…
Discuss this statement, showing how composers of texts represent their ideas in relation to identity. In your response you must refer to Othello and one other related text.…
In Shakespeare’s “Othello,” Othello is highly respected and looked up to but later is influenced by the antagonist, Iago, resulting in a jealous insecurity ultimately leading to his murdering of his own wife and the plotting of murdering of his ex-lieutenant, Cassio. The reader first notices Othello’s shift in character…
Shakespeare’s masterpiece Othello has remained relevant beyond its original context not merely because of its universal themes of love and betrayal, but rather, due to its textual integrity, and the enduring value which is enhanced through the exploration of such issues, as marginalisation and the psychology of villainy. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Othello as being an outsider, and being “othered” by the Venetian society due to his different race, reflects traditional Elizabethan values and ethics regarding racial prejudice and inequality. These recurring issues, of social intolerance and racial bias are prevalent concerns in our modern society. Shakespeare’s expresses the nature of villainy through his antagonist, Iago, as he explores issues of betrayal and deceit. These issues, revolving around Othello’s passion, struggle and vulnerability, as an outsider, are representative of the human condition, hence making it pivotal, of why “Othello” has remained relevant in a different context.…
In the play, Othello by William Shakespeare, one of the main characters Iago is a master of both deception and manipulation. One will see throughout the play how Iago manipulates people, even the mighty black war general, Othello.…
The tragedy play, one that has captivated many for its effectiveness in understanding the human flaws and how they can lead to eventual downfall is one that Shakespeare’s plays embody. However, there is such a play that contains these elements, yet it manipulates the genre’s conventions for a new effect, the play Othello. This play is centered around a Moorish noble, a soldier who faces conflict regarding his beloved Venetian wife. The themes present in this play are that of trust, jealousy, honesty, love, stereotypes, friendship, and above all deception. Through the use of all of these themes, it sets the stage for how Shakespeare…
Through its portrayal of human experience, Shakespeare’s Othello prepares us for an inevitable tragedy. How is this revealed in the first 3 acts of the play?…
The focus of the play Othello is not so much Othello’s flaws and weaknesses but more Iago’s villainy.…
Othello is the almighty, respected, and victorious General of the Venetian forces, but finds himself defeated in his most important battle. Othello past triumphs are proof of his strength and reputation, “For since these arms of mine had seven years’ pith” (Act I, Scene 3). Othello loyalty to the people of Venice is shown throughout the play, and the trust he…
Dualism is a view that what exists is either physical or mental, and spirtual for some things like humans. It views the mind as nonphysical substance and a human as physical and a mental component which is the mind. Materialism is a view that focus on the physical.This view believes that only the physical exist. This theory believes if the object is not in motion it is not real. Idealsism is a view that believes in only the mental or spirtiual exists. It is not the object we experience but rather our perception or ideas of it. If For example if its there then that mean it exists.These three views dont have much in common because they are unlike in their own ways. The similarites between all of these views is that they are all have perceptions and have to do with ideas.…
Lies, insecurity and perhaps self-esteem are a driving force for Othello to question his reality. Othello’s judgment seems to be clouded by self doubt, for example, “By the world, I think my wife be honest and think she is not. I think that thou art just and think thou art not” (Act 3, 395). He knows that his wife is faithful but he is uncertain of that fact. This suggests that perhaps Othello is not as confident or perfect as he was deemed to be in act one, “If you do find me foul in her report […] Not only take away, but let your sentence even fall upon my life”( Act 1, 117). This showing of imperfection can only insinuate that reality sometimes may not be what we think it is because Othello had no slight doubt about Desdemona’s loyalty to him. His willingness to die if found guilty not only solidifies his courageous character but also hints the kind of man he is; firm believer of truth. Othello’s question reveals the insecurities and self doubt he has about himself. The question seems to be a paradox about his life because it is not directed to any one in particular or to anything to that matter. At surface level the question may be in conjunction to his marriage to Desdemona but it is not because it causes him to even question his own character, reputation and ultimately his beliefs. A lie forces Othello to see reality as non-existent because one moment Iago is a villain and next moment a dearest friend who becomes a lieutenant. This sudden disappearance of reality is a revelation to Othello’s weak self-esteem because he fears that “Desdemona’s infidelity” would devastate his reputation and therefore belittle him in the public eye, “Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone” (Act 3,365). Could it be that Othello’s biggest flaw is his alter ego? As he fears that his true colors are starting to be visible in the public eyes. In conclusion, it is not the present Othello is after with his question…