Elizabethan Times- Othello
How do the opening scenes and closing scenes of your Shakespearean text reflect the Elizabthan values/ beliefs?
The Venetian society in which the Shakespearean play, Othello is set in is a clear representation of the writer's context. The values, attitudes and beliefs that Shakespeare reveals in the opening and closing scenes of Othello, are the exact to the ones accepted by the Elizabethans of the sixteenth century. With the limited number of Black people being around, in Othello we can see the racist remarks that are being made upon one, as well as the resilience to accept one within a society. Even though the play itself is set in Venice and Cyprus, it reflects highly upon the values and beliefs of Shakespeare's own society where people believed strongly in the great chain of being, danger of emotions and punishment for major sins.
The Great Chain of Being refers to the concept that every existing organism and object has its place within the universe. This hierarchical order separated people into different classes and had God as a divine sovereign leader. This was a value and belief that was very well recognised within the Elizabethan society in the sixteenth century. The opening scene of Othello introduces the dishonorable villain Iago talking to Roderigo about his scene of revenge upon a certain character that remains unknown in this point of time. With the use of language techniques, Iago exposes to the audience his true evil spirit in relation to the superior character who remains unknown, "I follow him to serve my turn upon him when I have lined my coat I shall do myself homage"; thus revealing to the audience his villainous character and sly nature. Iago was the main character that caused the disturbance in the natural order as he had the key power to play on people's weaknesses. This significant character displays many negative points throughout the play. He exposes his sense of pride when he conceitedly exclaims "I know my price and deserve no worse a
The Venetian society in which the Shakespearean play, Othello is set in is a clear representation of the writer's context. The values, attitudes and beliefs that Shakespeare reveals in the opening and closing scenes of Othello, are the exact to the ones accepted by the Elizabethans of the sixteenth century. With the limited number of Black people being around, in Othello we can see the racist remarks that are being made upon one, as well as the resilience to accept one within a society. Even though the play itself is set in Venice and Cyprus, it reflects highly upon the values and beliefs of Shakespeare's own society where people believed strongly in the great chain of being, danger of emotions and punishment for major sins.
The Great Chain of Being refers to the concept that every existing organism and object has its place within the universe. This hierarchical order separated people into different classes and had God as a divine sovereign leader. This was a value and belief that was very well recognised within the Elizabethan society in the sixteenth century. The opening scene of Othello introduces the dishonorable villain Iago talking to Roderigo about his scene of revenge upon a certain character that remains unknown in this point of time. With the use of language techniques, Iago exposes to the audience his true evil spirit in relation to the superior character who remains unknown, "I follow him to serve my turn upon him when I have lined my coat I shall do myself homage"; thus revealing to the audience his villainous character and sly nature. Iago was the main character that caused the disturbance in the natural order as he had the key power to play on people's weaknesses. This significant character displays many negative points throughout the play. He exposes his sense of pride when he conceitedly exclaims "I know my price and deserve no worse a