What is the play about? Othello themes include: * Jealousy (the sexual jealousy of Othello‚ and Iago’s professional envy of Cassio * Appearance versus reality (including honesty/dishonesty‚ loyalty/disloyalty) * Reputation * Public versus private concerns * Racism (including notions of alienation and belonging) Cultural materialist – Argues the play offers a subversive critique of the social and political beliefs of Shakespeare’s time e.g. racism and sexism seen as
Free Othello Black people
and honest wife. However‚ despite this expectation‚ Desdemona is rare in that she openly voices her opinions about her circumstances‚ being shown as a flawed character from Act I‚ Scene I; eloping secretly without her father’s knowledge. Desdemona’s flaws are apparent from her first presence in Othello‚ clearly overthrowing her prior image of perfection and purity; when Brabantio is told of Desdemona’s deception replies with “Have you lost your wits?” in disbelief of Desdemona’s betrayal. “I am
Premium Othello Iago Desdemona
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
Premium Othello Iago William Shakespeare
and cunning character. Iago’s entire scheme begins when Cassio is given the position that Iago wanted. Iago then comes up with numerous ideas and plots to steal the position he feels he most deserves. Iago deceis‚ steals‚ and kills to gain that position.
Premium Othello William Shakespeare Iago
dramatic tension and conflict in the later acts. However‚ the inherent flaw in Shakespeare’s dramatic presentation of the outsider remains the extremeness and sheer implausibility of the
Premium Othello William Shakespeare Iago
especially within the language used by Iago: “Zounds‚ sir‚ y’are robbed! … an old black ram // Is tupping your white ewe. Arise‚ arise!” these lines can be seen as the most striking of many animalistic images into which Iago’s speech habitually lies. It can also demonstrate Iago’s views on atypical
Free Othello Iago
manipulated to murder his wife only because Iago told Othello that Desdemona was having an affair. Then at the end‚ Emilia‚ Iago’s wife‚ tells Othello the truth
Premium Othello Iago Michael Cassio
guard down after arriving at Cyprus. He thinks the Turks are defeated‚ and there is no more enemy. Iago uses his honest reputation and starts with the believable suggestions in building up Othello’s jealousy. Therefore‚ after listening to “Honest” Iago’s innuendo‚ everything he sees leads to the conclusion that Desdemona has an affair behind his back with Cassio. Othello places too much faith in the one he considers as a friend‚ Iago‚ who is full with hidden jealousy for Cassio’s position and the
Premium Marriage Othello Iago
theory. Aristotle said that a tragic hero must go through four stages. These are Peripateia‚ which is an utter and complete downfall from a very high status such as a king‚ prince etc… to catastrophe and misery. Hamartia‚ which is a fatal or tragic flaw in the hero. Anagnorisis‚ which is recognition of the hero’s mistakes‚ and Catharsis‚ which is when the audience is purged of all negative emotions towards the hero. For many years there has been a great deal of controversy over the character of Othello
Premium Poetics Tragic hero Tragedy
Analyse how Shakespeare portrays the character of Iago as the catalyst of this tragedy. It is true that in Shakespeare’s Othello‚ Iago is portrayed as the catalyst and the foremost cause for the events that unfold. Shakespeare portrays this through Iago’s manipulation and power of words‚ and his continual playing on people’s weaknesses and strengths. This is represented through the impact that he has on other characters‚ in particular of Othello and Cassio. In Shakespeare’s Othello‚ the character
Free Othello Iago Desdemona