Macbeth (1606). Shakespeare is appreciated for the ways in which he beautifully and poignantly expresses the dilemmas at the core of human existence.
Brief synopsis
The Moor, Othello, is a respected leader in the Venetian army. The play opens with news of his elopement with Desdemona, the daughter of Senator Brabantio. Othello is posted to Cyprus to fight the Turks. Whilst there, his flag bearer, Iago, hatches a plot to ruin his master’s marriage and career. Among other motives, Iago is driven by jealousy that Cassio is appointed Othello’s lieutenant ahead of him. Iago thus persuades Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Plagued by jealousy, Othello kills Desdemona, and then kills himself once it is revealed that she was innocent of the accusation of adultery.
Background & context
Venice
The play begins in the city-state of Venice, in what is now known as Italy. Venice was a powerful merchant republic ruled by nobles, rather than by royalty or a religious leader. From the point of view of Shakespeare’s English audience, the Venetians were mistrusted due to what was perceived as their mercantile self-interest and lust for power. Iago’s remark that Venetians are
‘super-subtle’ is not far from how Shakespeare’s audience would have seen them. Cassio, who is so maliciously wronged by Iago, is a Florentine – a background which distances him from the manipulative ways of the Venetian Iago.
Cyprus
From Act II onwards, the play moves to Cyprus. It is significant that this Act begins with a violent storm at sea. The storm fortuitously devastates the Turkish fleet, but also symbolically signals the chaos and tragedy that is unleashed amongst the Venetians in Cyprus: Cassio gets drunk and fights, Desdemona is (falsely) thought to lose control of her own desires, and Othello’s violent side comes to the fore.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
1. What do you see, hear, and notice for the setting of the play? What Greek and Elizabethan references are present?…
- 367 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The setting of the play takes place in the city of Messina a very, very long time ago. They refer to a war in the play and some characters even carry guns, so the time had to be probably around the Spanish Wars. The topic…
- 248 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Iago stands a typical Machiavellian antagonist of Shakespeare’s, however his motives for revenge are distinctly complex, with the line of envy and justified hatred indistinguishably blurred. His cunning scenarios and therefore his motives for such, stem from wounded pride in relation to Cassio’s promotion over his own, “One Michael Cassio… That never set a squadron in the field”, underlying suspicion over Othello and wife Emilia’s relationship “Till I am evened with him wife for wife”, and personal injustice, “Preferment goes by letter and affection”, expressing his disgust towards Othello’s favoritism of Cassio. Iago’s motivation for revenge upon Othello and Cassio is spurred by an egotistical and superior attitude; “Heaven is my judge” suggesting that he believes only God, a power recognized as the highest judgmental authority is worthy of judging his unjust actions. This superior attitude eventually contributes to his demise.…
- 1063 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
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.…
- 612 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Director Nicholas Hytner has dragged Shakespeare's renaissance tragedy into the 21st Century with a contemporary, gritty setting, while still maintaining a rigorous attention to clarity of language. Venice in the opening scenes is a non-descript place and it is only with the departure to Cyprus that the military aesthetic of the production comes to full fruition. Most of the action takes place in the middle of the night, under disorientating arc lights or inside sterile pre-fab army command buildings. Helicopters whir overhead. The sets slide and advance like tanks. Shadowy and devoid of bright colours, the production helped to focus attention on the tense drama that unfolded on stage, and made Shakespeare seem fresh and accessible.…
- 585 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Cited: Shakespeare, William. "Othello: The Moor of Venice" The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2012. 1187-1267. Print…
- 1295 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
In the poems written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses” and “Odysseus” written by W.S. Merwin we can compare and contrast both poems. In Tennyson’s “Ulysses” and in Merwin’s “Odysseus” they are talking about the same person, Odysseus. But the poems are also different because, Tennyson’s poem is about Odysseus talking about how his son would be a better fit king than he was, and that he would rather sail to find another world. In Merwin’s poem Odysseus talks about his journeys from one island to the other and how he is still sailing and trying to get home. So how can we compare and contrast both poems? Easy, because one poem is written about Odysseus and his adventures he encounters while trying to get back home. The poem “Ulysses” written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s, explains that Odysseus would rather much be happier sailing and searching for new lands, rather than just be the king of his homeland. Are there similarities and also differences between both poems, I believe there is and will explain why.…
- 1527 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
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…
- 1236 Words
- 4 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Cited: Shakespeare, William, and Alvin B. Kernan. The tragedy of Othello; the Moor of Venice.. New York: New American Library, 1963. Print.…
- 728 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Iago, of the epic "Othello", is a very cultured and competent villain; so much that one could say Iago is the most fearsome villain in all of Shakespeare. Iago has no remorse or sympathy for his actions or the consequences they entail. Othello, the Moor which Iago's crosshairs have set aim on, is a veteran of the Venetian Cyprus Wars as well as other battlefields which have given him unparalleled credit as a soldier. Othello has promoted Cassio to a position that Iago saught after; in spite of Iago's war experience and recommendations, Othello had already came to a decision. Iago begins to ferment in vengeance. As his need for revenge grows, his threshold for motive decreases. A self-centered and aggressive manipulator, Iago's motives lack proper conviction. This man is characterized as a user of men, a self centered man who only entertains his peers ( or superiors) for sport or profit. He is a jealous man, who lacks patience when provoked. Above all his empathy and connoisseurship in the classical art of manipulation make him an ultimate puppet master. Coupled with a slight provoke from the Devi,l Othello; Iago has found plenty cause to hate Othello as he hates hell pains.…
- 728 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The original title of the play was ‘The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice’, which brings attention…
- 838 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
How does Act 1 Scene 1 succeed in arresting the audience’s attention and provide the exposition to the play?…
- 896 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare is set in the late sixteenth century. Most scenes take place in the grounds of the Danish castle at Elsinore. The story begins almost immediately with a brief yet abrupt five scene act entailing the state of affairs within the Court of Denmark. Each scene contributes to the overall exposition significantly and Act One effectively captures the interest of the audience, introduces the key characters, establishes the conflicts and creates and maintains the dominant atmosphere of the play.…
- 2122 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Othello begins on a street in Venice, in the middle of an argument at night between Roderigo and Iago. This has an impact on the audience…
- 2954 Words
- 12 Pages
Powerful Essays -
whole plot of the work is based upon the Hamlet,s love for his father King Hamlet. Son avenges…
- 786 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays