The Beast in Shakespeare’s “Othello” "What is left when honor is lost?" This question‚ asked by Publilius Syrus‚ a known writer of the Ancient Rome during the times of Caesar‚ serves as a basis for the struggle between Othello and Iago. Both men are engaged in a battle over Othello’s honor. Iago is intent on destroying Othello’s sense of honor and reducing him to a bestial state. Iago views Othello as a beast masquerading in warrior’s dress. He wants to return Othello to what he believes to be his
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Shakespeare introduces Othello in the first half of the play as “valiant” and “noble” (qtd)‚ where the adjectives of courage and moral principles deter the Elizabethan notion that black people are treacherous and villainous (qtd). To add to that‚ the Duke of Venice “straight employ[s] [Othello] against the general enemy Ottoman” (1.3.49-50). Here The preposition “against” directs Othello’s martial body as the hero in Venetian society rather than the enemy for now. The respect for Othello as a black general
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Shakespeare’s play “Othello” both challenges and reflects the values and beliefs of his Elizabethan context. To please his audience Shakespeare’s presentation of Venetian society replicates English society and therefore the audience is positioned to see the Venetians as upholding English Christian beliefs. Yet Shakespeare also challenges Elizabethan audience’s perception of ethnicity and race through the characterisation of Othello as being foreign in appearance but having status in the armed forces
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then? Nor ever heard‚ nor ever did suspect. Yes‚ you have seen Cassio and she together. But then I saw no harm‚ and then I heard Each syllable that breath made up between them. What‚ did they never whisper? Never‚ my lord. Nor send you out o’ the way? Never. To fetch her fan‚ her gloves‚ her mask‚ nor nothing? Never‚ my lord. That’s strange. I durst‚ my lord‚ to wager she is honest‚ Lay down my soul at stake; if you think other‚ Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom. If
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Violence in Othello In William Shakespeare’s Othello violence can be found in several different ways. Violence can be expressed physically‚ mentally‚ and verbally. This tragic play shows how jealousy and envy can overpower a person’s mind and lead them to wreak havoc on others. Not only does this story give many different examples of violence‚ it displays how mental violence can promote physical violence‚ and continues on in that cycle. Mental promotes physical which ultimately leads back to
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In Shakespeare’s play “Othello” the character Othello is presented as an outsider to the events that are taking place amongst the other characters. He was excluded from what the truth holds and this caused his downfall‚ along with his jealous nature and stubbornness. To make things worse Iago’s cunning plans captures Othello into a downward spiral to his defeat. The sense of irony involved is regarded as a highly important technique that is repeated through out the play. As a stubborn and decisive
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protagonist Othello and the villain‚ Iago‚ we see many different ways in which Shakespeare uses structure and language to explore control. In terms of language‚ Shakespeare uses repetition at the beginning of the passage between Othello and Iago. Everytime Othello poses a question‚ Iago retaliates by simply repeating the question back to Othello‚ for example‚ "Is he not honest?"‚ "Honest my Lord?". By using this repetition‚ Iago asserts his control over not only the conversation but also Othello. This
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Manipulation In Othello we see what jealousy and pride can do to a man and to what extent they will go to satisfy their inner demons. Many a man has fallen prey to the lies of a quick tongue‚ as well as the humiliation that comes with their confidence and pride. It is hard to say exactly what drives any one man to his dire actions‚ but one can assume that his temper‚ pride or honor was the starting spark that led to a fire. Tell me‚ what drives a man to use others to achieve his goals? In Othello many things
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Thomas Edison is‚ but not many know who Victor Hugo is‚ when he lived right around the same time these two historical figures and had just as large of an influence. He changed the history of writing for the greater good and still impacts the lives of several people today. The majority of people were probably introduced to his work at a young age. They Probably watched “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” as a kid. Disney adapted the Novel written by Victor Hugo into a movie and it became an award winning motion
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Justice is a powerful force‚ one that continuously motivates the actions of an individual. Each individual has a different understanding of what justice is‚ and many will go to extreme measures to receive justice. In Othello‚ William Shakespeare develops the idea that an individual will go to extreme measures in order to obtain his own sense of justice. However‚ the individual will go to such extremes in an attempt to receive justice that the repercussions of his actions will overpower the feeling
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