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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Othello is the protagonist of the play; he is a highly respected general of the Venetian army. Othello is not a Venetian though; he is a moor‚ which means he is from North Africa. This puts Othello in a very unusual position; he is one of the most important people in the Venetian army and very respected but is also an outsider because he is a black man. I perceive Othello’s character at this point in the play to be Naïve‚ honorable and honest; he really has nothing to hide. His naïveté’s will cause
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A Study of Appearance Versus Reality as Presented Through Characters in A Doll’s House and The Stone Angel An identity is what allows one to exist. Without an identity‚ one remains unnamed‚ unrecognized‚ and unknown. Mistaking peoples’ appearance for their reality may rob them of identity and even existence. The theme of appearance versus reality is present in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence. That an appearance is not reality is discovered through the
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In Shakespeare’s Othello there is an immediate contrast between Iago and Othello’s language. In “Act1 scene 1” Iago’s first speech to Roderigo is of a revengeful nature and evil tone. “Despise me if I do not. Three great ones of the city (In personal suit to make me his lieutenant).” Iago is infuriated with Othello’s neglect of him‚ Shakespeare creates this foreshadow of a tragic outcome early on‚ but he misleads the audience into thinking that Iago’s language is justified. Furthering Iago’s support
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In Shakespeares Othello the characters are as much a victim of their own weakness as they are of Iagos plotting. Do power dynamics in Othello support this? Iago‚ whos charisma and intellect make him more powerful than Othello and Desdemona‚ proves that powerplay amongst the characters supports the fact that characters‚ specifically Othello and Desdemona‚ are equally victims of their own weakness as they are of Iagos plottings. Othello and Desdemonas weaknesses are race and gender respectively which
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Could one ordinary woman be more intelligent than several highly skilled male warriors? In William Shakespeare’s Othello‚ although Emilia plays a small role‚ she makes a powerful impact. Her omnipotent bravado brings us to the conclusion that she is the reincarnation of Esther from the Bible and that she is a mirror image of today’s risk taking woman. Emilia’s insight brings perspective to not only what is righteous but also to the darkness of bestiality portrayed throughout the play. Although
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Shakespeare’s Othello and Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan are two plays which males dominate and control. Gender discrimination was strongly evident throughout both the Jacobean and Victorian era in which both were written. Women were generally considered the ‘inferior’ gender with little purpose other than their domesticated role. Males were seen as more powerful with a harsh attitude towards females. Marilyn French examines that it’s a females “cultures dictum to be obedient to males‚” however
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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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Jealousy is described as feelings of resentment against someone because of that person ’s rivalry‚ success‚ or advantages. It plays a very large role in Shakespeare’s “Othello”. Jealousy is the fire that motivates Iago and clouds Othello’s judgment‚ leading to the downfall of both men. Iago is extremely jealous of Cassio because of his position in the army. “Iago‚ a Venetian soldier of so good reputation that he is known to everyone as “honest Iago”‚ feels bitterly and deeply that he has
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(Written in the style of a speech) William Shakespeare’s Othello is a play about reputation. The role of reputation is a major one as throughout the play we see the importance of how one is perceived. For some‚ to act in a certain way with self control ultimately leads them to strengthen their character and image. But for others it can be lost in a single action. The characters within the play struggle to keep their reputation for various reasons such as retribution or to keep a good name for
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