Relationships In Othello
William Shakespeare’s 1604 play, “Othello,” displays various relationships. However, the most significant relationship in the play is the romance that occurs between Othello and Desdemona. Likewise, Shakespeare’s 1597 play, “Romeo and Juliet,” displays the romance between Romeo and Juliet as the most vital relationship in the play. The two tragedies work to overcome personal insecurity, death, and the repercussions of love. Although the plays depict other relationships, the romantic affiliations in the plays are the most significant because they hold the play’s fate. Also, the relationship between Othello and Desdemona was strong in all aspects, besides trust and communication. In the same sense, the affiliation between Romeo and Juliet was
…show more content…
Professor Syed Anwarul Huq notes, "One of the devices that often a Shakespearean play uses is a love token to emphasize confinement in a relationship and the possession of one individual by another” (159). Both “Othello” and “Romeo and Juliet” display this theory. While the symbol of the relationship between Othello and Desdemona is the handkerchief, the symbol of the relationship between Romeo and Juliet is the poison. These symbols profoundly represent the two relationships. The handkerchief in “Othello” represents Desdemona’s fidelity and loyalty to Othello. An explanation of its significance is in the line, “I am glad I have found this napkin,/ This was her first remembrance from the Moor.” Emilia also refers to the handkerchief as a “token.” It travels throughout the story from character to character, which suggests use of metaphors. The same can be said about the poison—it represents the power that society has over “good” things such as—love, happiness, and trust. Like the handkerchief, the poison also travels through various characters in order to get to Juliet. Likewise, the poison in Romeo and Juliet represents the couples true love for each other. This is expressed in the lines, “Here’s to my love! (Drinks) O true apothecary,/ Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die” (V.III.119-120). Although the poison was not directly referred to as a love token, we can infer that it was indeed a love token from the phrase, “Here’s to my love!” Both symbols are central to the plays’ tragic
Professor Syed Anwarul Huq notes, "One of the devices that often a Shakespearean play uses is a love token to emphasize confinement in a relationship and the possession of one individual by another” (159). Both “Othello” and “Romeo and Juliet” display this theory. While the symbol of the relationship between Othello and Desdemona is the handkerchief, the symbol of the relationship between Romeo and Juliet is the poison. These symbols profoundly represent the two relationships. The handkerchief in “Othello” represents Desdemona’s fidelity and loyalty to Othello. An explanation of its significance is in the line, “I am glad I have found this napkin,/ This was her first remembrance from the Moor.” Emilia also refers to the handkerchief as a “token.” It travels throughout the story from character to character, which suggests use of metaphors. The same can be said about the poison—it represents the power that society has over “good” things such as—love, happiness, and trust. Like the handkerchief, the poison also travels through various characters in order to get to Juliet. Likewise, the poison in Romeo and Juliet represents the couples true love for each other. This is expressed in the lines, “Here’s to my love! (Drinks) O true apothecary,/ Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die” (V.III.119-120). Although the poison was not directly referred to as a love token, we can infer that it was indeed a love token from the phrase, “Here’s to my love!” Both symbols are central to the plays’ tragic