Hamlet And Othello Essay
Tragedy is a common theme within Shakespearean Literature. As an author, Shakespeare uses tragedy within his works to instill certain emotions and drama. Two examples of a Shakespearean tragedy are Hamlet and Othello. Hamlet and Othello are both tragic heroes within their respective stories. Sadly, due to their heroism, they are often the target for many plots and schemes. The setting of Hamlet takes place in the Kingdom of Denmark. King Hamlet has just died and his throne is passed on to his brother, Claudius. As King, Claudius inherits Denmark and the Queen, Gertrude. Prince Hamlet, the son of King Hamlet and Gertrude, is torn apart by the union of his mother and uncle. He is also troubled by the fact that he union came soon after the death of his father. Furthermore, Hamlet loved his father and
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would do anything to see him again. Hamlet’s wish came true when his father reappears as a ghost.
King Hamlet reveals that he did not die from natural causes, he was murdered. Hamlet is shocked to hear this information, and goes mad when he finds out that his uncle was the person responsible. King Hamlet is angry and tells Hamlet, “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder”. (Shakespeare 1.5.31). King Hamlet is the lightning that strikes the tree and/or the puppet-master. His command to Hamlet sends him on a mission to seek revenge in his father’s name. Nonetheless, this mission led to the suffering of the other characters within the play. While Hamlet’s mission is against King Claudius, he hurts many other people in the process. The first man to die was Polonius, Hamlet stabbed him because he thought he was Claudius. Due to the loss of her father and a stern scolding from Hamlet, Ophelia committed suicide. To complete the familial domino effect, Laertes was next to meet his death. Using the advice of King Claudius, he challenged Hamlet to a duel. Hamlet bested Laertes, but was fatally wounded by a poisoned blade. Under that circumstance, Hamlet used his final seconds on earth to kill King
Claudius. Although Hamlet was the tool of suffering within the play, he did not live unscathed. King Hamlet expected much from his son and asked him to fulfill a job most people could not do. By trying to please his father, Hamlet brought tragedy into his life. Hamlet lived in confusion, constantly questioning life and death. In one of his famous speeches, Hamlet poses the question “To be or not to be- that is the question” (Shakespeare 3.1.64)? This question can mean multiple things; to live or to die, to be good or to be evil, to be sane or to be mad. Regardless, no matter what Hamlet meant by those words, his feelings of agony is apparent. The next Shakespearean work that features a tragic hero is Othello. The setting of Othello begins in Venice, Italy. Othello is a well- known general and is sent to Cyprus when a Turkish army invades. While in Cyprus, Othello is turned into the embodiment of jealousy. Due to rumors and manipulation, Othello is made to believe that his wife, Desdemona, is committing adultery. To make matters worse, her accused partner in lust is Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio. As a result, Othello becomes the puppet of Iago. Iago is the antagonist of the play. He is an extremely controlling person and acts as the devil’s advocate throughout the plot. Iago reveals his motives within Act 1 of the play. He hates Othello for refusing to promote him and believes that he has had an affair with his wife, Emilia. Thus, his vendetta against Othello began. Iago planted the seed of jealousy into Othello’s head. Despite the fact that Desdemona is a loyal spouse, “by how much she strives to do him good she shall undo her credit with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue into pitch, and out of her own goodness make the net” (Shakespeare 2.3.352-355). No matter what fate has in store, Iago will have his revenge on Othello. In due time, Othello will be the rope to his own demise. Before causing his own death, Othello brings suffering upon others. As mentioned previously, Othello is sent into a jealous rage due to the meddling of Iago. Not only is he heartbroken by his wife, but he feels betrayed by his friend. By allowing himself to be controlled by Iago, he agrees to have Cassio assassinated. The plan for this murder fails meanwhile, Iago suggests a punishment for Desdemona. He states, “do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated” (Shakespeare 4.1.206-207). Mad with Jealousy, Othello agrees to this lethal plan. Othello entered his bedroom and confronted his wife. She denied all acts of adultery, but he killed anyway. Equally, the demise of his love lead to his own death. Othello has had an extremely rough life. What originally attracted his wife to him was his stories of his early life and battles. Othello is constantly fighting to prove himself to the people around him. As a black man, he is an outsider and often judged. This contributes greatly to his internal conflict and feeds his jealously. Othello feels unworthy of Desdemona because of his race and age. Consequently, his insecurities made him vulnerable to Iago’s deception.
It was easy for Othello to believe that Desdemona is unfaithful because that is what he believes that he deserves. Othello pressures himself into making rash decisions that he can never take back. Once he is told the truth about Iago’s treachery, Othello feels like a fool. All of the feelings of uncertainty and insecurity flood Othello at one time. Life becomes too much to bear so he ends it, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, killing myself to die upon a kiss” (Shakespeare 5.2.369-370).
Though tragedy seems like a negative term, it brings forth many positive revelations in life. In both tales, tragedy caused the characters to think deeper on the meaning and aspects of life. These thoughts are positive because they lead to a revelation in some way. Whether the characters choose to do good or bad is obsolete because they are making a choice out of free will. Suffering contributed to the tragic vision by acting as the match that lit the fire of the plot. Without suffering, tragedy would not be tragic. The tragic vision is important to capture within and plot because tragedy is a part of life that every person experiences. Including tragedy within the plot of literature makes it more relatable to the people who read it.
would do anything to see him again. Hamlet’s wish came true when his father reappears as a ghost.
King Hamlet reveals that he did not die from natural causes, he was murdered. Hamlet is shocked to hear this information, and goes mad when he finds out that his uncle was the person responsible. King Hamlet is angry and tells Hamlet, “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder”. (Shakespeare 1.5.31). King Hamlet is the lightning that strikes the tree and/or the puppet-master. His command to Hamlet sends him on a mission to seek revenge in his father’s name. Nonetheless, this mission led to the suffering of the other characters within the play. While Hamlet’s mission is against King Claudius, he hurts many other people in the process. The first man to die was Polonius, Hamlet stabbed him because he thought he was Claudius. Due to the loss of her father and a stern scolding from Hamlet, Ophelia committed suicide. To complete the familial domino effect, Laertes was next to meet his death. Using the advice of King Claudius, he challenged Hamlet to a duel. Hamlet bested Laertes, but was fatally wounded by a poisoned blade. Under that circumstance, Hamlet used his final seconds on earth to kill King
Claudius. Although Hamlet was the tool of suffering within the play, he did not live unscathed. King Hamlet expected much from his son and asked him to fulfill a job most people could not do. By trying to please his father, Hamlet brought tragedy into his life. Hamlet lived in confusion, constantly questioning life and death. In one of his famous speeches, Hamlet poses the question “To be or not to be- that is the question” (Shakespeare 3.1.64)? This question can mean multiple things; to live or to die, to be good or to be evil, to be sane or to be mad. Regardless, no matter what Hamlet meant by those words, his feelings of agony is apparent. The next Shakespearean work that features a tragic hero is Othello. The setting of Othello begins in Venice, Italy. Othello is a well- known general and is sent to Cyprus when a Turkish army invades. While in Cyprus, Othello is turned into the embodiment of jealousy. Due to rumors and manipulation, Othello is made to believe that his wife, Desdemona, is committing adultery. To make matters worse, her accused partner in lust is Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio. As a result, Othello becomes the puppet of Iago. Iago is the antagonist of the play. He is an extremely controlling person and acts as the devil’s advocate throughout the plot. Iago reveals his motives within Act 1 of the play. He hates Othello for refusing to promote him and believes that he has had an affair with his wife, Emilia. Thus, his vendetta against Othello began. Iago planted the seed of jealousy into Othello’s head. Despite the fact that Desdemona is a loyal spouse, “by how much she strives to do him good she shall undo her credit with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue into pitch, and out of her own goodness make the net” (Shakespeare 2.3.352-355). No matter what fate has in store, Iago will have his revenge on Othello. In due time, Othello will be the rope to his own demise. Before causing his own death, Othello brings suffering upon others. As mentioned previously, Othello is sent into a jealous rage due to the meddling of Iago. Not only is he heartbroken by his wife, but he feels betrayed by his friend. By allowing himself to be controlled by Iago, he agrees to have Cassio assassinated. The plan for this murder fails meanwhile, Iago suggests a punishment for Desdemona. He states, “do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated” (Shakespeare 4.1.206-207). Mad with Jealousy, Othello agrees to this lethal plan. Othello entered his bedroom and confronted his wife. She denied all acts of adultery, but he killed anyway. Equally, the demise of his love lead to his own death. Othello has had an extremely rough life. What originally attracted his wife to him was his stories of his early life and battles. Othello is constantly fighting to prove himself to the people around him. As a black man, he is an outsider and often judged. This contributes greatly to his internal conflict and feeds his jealously. Othello feels unworthy of Desdemona because of his race and age. Consequently, his insecurities made him vulnerable to Iago’s deception.
It was easy for Othello to believe that Desdemona is unfaithful because that is what he believes that he deserves. Othello pressures himself into making rash decisions that he can never take back. Once he is told the truth about Iago’s treachery, Othello feels like a fool. All of the feelings of uncertainty and insecurity flood Othello at one time. Life becomes too much to bear so he ends it, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, killing myself to die upon a kiss” (Shakespeare 5.2.369-370).
Though tragedy seems like a negative term, it brings forth many positive revelations in life. In both tales, tragedy caused the characters to think deeper on the meaning and aspects of life. These thoughts are positive because they lead to a revelation in some way. Whether the characters choose to do good or bad is obsolete because they are making a choice out of free will. Suffering contributed to the tragic vision by acting as the match that lit the fire of the plot. Without suffering, tragedy would not be tragic. The tragic vision is important to capture within and plot because tragedy is a part of life that every person experiences. Including tragedy within the plot of literature makes it more relatable to the people who read it.