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To What Extent Is Othello Relevant Today

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To What Extent Is Othello Relevant Today
Othello
‘Othello may have been relevant to the Elizabethans but it has little to say to a contemporary audience'. I believe Othello is still relevant to a contemporary audience, however modern individuals often view it on a different level to the people in Elizabethan times. Shakespeare wrote the play for an audience who accepted the racist stereotypes rampant in the play, oblivious to their own racism. Othello was a tragic hero, and Iago exploited his ‘tragic flaw', in this case being insecurity and jealousy. This insecurity allowed Iago to manipulate Othello into believing his lies, and this lead to his downfall. Today, Othello's ideas resonate strongly, the mistrust of peoples differences is still a highly relevant topic in modern society. Racist stereotypes still exist in many different levels in society, particularly between indigenous and non indigenous peoples in different civilisations. Shakespeare presents a …show more content…
Othello was initially a strong and amiable character, who changed due to racist tensions surrounding him combusting and bringing him to a state forced upon him by others. He doesn't want to harm Desdemona and her purity ‘Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow'. After she dies, he is left explaining to Emilia, and after Othello revealed his belief that Desdemona was lying, Emilia claims ‘Then she was even more an angel, and you're an even blacker devil!' She continues as the truth is revealed about Iago's treachery, delivering ‘O murderous coxcomb! What should such a fool do with so good a wife?'. Othello is still continually referred to as ‘the moor', rather than Othello, with the aim of promoting their view of Othello's mediocrity due to his race. This view appeals to a modern audience as we can appreciate the racial tensions rampant in the play, with racially inspired hatred common around the world today, in Western as well as Eastern/Middle Eastern
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