Examples Of Marxism In Othello
The classic dramatic work of Othello is a tale of deception, love, and ambition. It has stood the test of time as a captivating work epitomizing struggle and humanity. But how do we interpret such a masterpiece of human sensation? What was Shakespeare's thought process and written reasoning that allows us to view his play with peak meaning? I argue that the most logical and most emotionally maximizing way to understand the storyline and conflicts occurring within Othello is through the Marxist Critical Lens with the depiction of struggle for power/ resources, and in the case of Othello, struggle for social status between important individuals within this story. These Marxist social struggles are very complex within this play. They revolve and weave around each other to the point of an exact / near exact picture of the Marxist struggle for power and resources through social status between individuals. I will tackle this perspective with support from two different struggles between different characters within the play. The first struggle is between two major male characters being lago and Cassio. The second struggle is between the two major female characters, who are Emilia (the wife of lago), and Desdemona (the wife of our main character Othello.)
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We will begin with the Marxist social struggle of lago versus Cassio.
This social struggle is arguably the most important base conflict of the play. The entire premise of the play is that of lago attempting to rise out of his particular social status. Othello is promoting an acquainted officer to a higher military position, and being an experienced soldier who can competently fill this new promotional position, lago believes and hopes that he will be promoted. This will allow him to rise to a higher social status, and reap the benefits of more power and that of more resources, (a classic Marxist base
goal.)
His hopes are dashed, however, when instead Othello promotes Cassio, another candidate for the same position. Believing Cassio to be entirely incompetent to fill these duties of this position and he himself a far superior warrior and commander, lago believes that this rank was not given upon full merit of one/s abilities and competency, but that Othello promoted Cassio for unprofessional social reasons.
Thus, the plot of the play has been set. To set what he views as wrongs against him right, lago plans to promote himself by poisoning Cassio’s reputation in the eyes of Othello. This will allow him to be promoted to Cassio’s present position with extreme ease.
To kill two birds with one stone, he plans to destroy Cassio’s image and to also get revenge against Othello for promoting Cassio instead of himself. But how is it that he is able to accomplish this feat? He does this in an ingenious way. All he needs is a handkerchief, but not just any handkerchief.
The handkerchief in Othello has a near-sacred quality. It is the first gift that Othello has given to his wife Desdemona. It symbolizes the strong and lovin bond between Othello and his wife. When Desdemona drops and thus loses this handkerchief, Emilia (who is the wife of lago) gives the handkerchief to lago for him to use in his schemes. Thus, lago begins to put his schemes into action.
Iago uses this handkerchief as cannon-fire against the reputation of Cassio and Othello’s undying love for his wife, Desdemona. He then uses his persuasive words as gunpowder for the final strike that lets his plan unfold perfectly. He then plants the handkerchief upon Cassio. Then he tells Othellow that Cassio has been sleeping with Desdemona. With Othello asks for evidence, he tells him that he has seen their sacred handkerchief with Cassio. Othello, then angrily, believes him.
Thus his plan is put into action. Although his plans do not entirely work out, and most of the other characters die as well as lago himself being sent to the torture chambers, my argument for Marxist lens remains valid. For what is a more Marxist Critical Perspective than to view these schemes as leading to trouble, conflict, and perhaps even death?
This first social struggle is a classic Marxist social struggle for power. An individual attempts to raise his social status by any means necessary as to be able to easily gain more resources, power, and community standing. This is represented by lago scheming and pitting his friends against each other, and more importantly causing many deaths and his own demise, for this attempt at a social ugrade.
We will begin with the Marxist social struggle of lago versus Cassio.
This social struggle is arguably the most important base conflict of the play. The entire premise of the play is that of lago attempting to rise out of his particular social status. Othello is promoting an acquainted officer to a higher military position, and being an experienced soldier who can competently fill this new promotional position, lago believes and hopes that he will be promoted. This will allow him to rise to a higher social status, and reap the benefits of more power and that of more resources, (a classic Marxist base
goal.)
His hopes are dashed, however, when instead Othello promotes Cassio, another candidate for the same position. Believing Cassio to be entirely incompetent to fill these duties of this position and he himself a far superior warrior and commander, lago believes that this rank was not given upon full merit of one/s abilities and competency, but that Othello promoted Cassio for unprofessional social reasons.
Thus, the plot of the play has been set. To set what he views as wrongs against him right, lago plans to promote himself by poisoning Cassio’s reputation in the eyes of Othello. This will allow him to be promoted to Cassio’s present position with extreme ease.
To kill two birds with one stone, he plans to destroy Cassio’s image and to also get revenge against Othello for promoting Cassio instead of himself. But how is it that he is able to accomplish this feat? He does this in an ingenious way. All he needs is a handkerchief, but not just any handkerchief.
The handkerchief in Othello has a near-sacred quality. It is the first gift that Othello has given to his wife Desdemona. It symbolizes the strong and lovin bond between Othello and his wife. When Desdemona drops and thus loses this handkerchief, Emilia (who is the wife of lago) gives the handkerchief to lago for him to use in his schemes. Thus, lago begins to put his schemes into action.
Iago uses this handkerchief as cannon-fire against the reputation of Cassio and Othello’s undying love for his wife, Desdemona. He then uses his persuasive words as gunpowder for the final strike that lets his plan unfold perfectly. He then plants the handkerchief upon Cassio. Then he tells Othellow that Cassio has been sleeping with Desdemona. With Othello asks for evidence, he tells him that he has seen their sacred handkerchief with Cassio. Othello, then angrily, believes him.
Thus his plan is put into action. Although his plans do not entirely work out, and most of the other characters die as well as lago himself being sent to the torture chambers, my argument for Marxist lens remains valid. For what is a more Marxist Critical Perspective than to view these schemes as leading to trouble, conflict, and perhaps even death?
This first social struggle is a classic Marxist social struggle for power. An individual attempts to raise his social status by any means necessary as to be able to easily gain more resources, power, and community standing. This is represented by lago scheming and pitting his friends against each other, and more importantly causing many deaths and his own demise, for this attempt at a social ugrade.