Identity is a very key‚ important thematic issue in William Shakespeare’s tragic drama‚ Othello. Identity‚ or what may be better explained as a character’s public perception‚ is highly valued in the Elizabethan Age in which Othello is set. There is a varying range between the characters in the extent that how they are perceived in public is not how they behave in private or how they really are‚ thus creating more than one identity per character. A character’s identity is the overall essence of
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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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believe ridiculous lies. Since Iago was an external force‚ which created an internal force in Othello‚ to which he responded by murdering his wife. Once jealousy entered Othello’s mind‚ it consumed him and devoured all rational thought within him‚ causing Othello to commit murder‚ which is deemed by the general society to be morally questionable. It destroys him‚ causing him to physically collapse. By now Othello is completely blinded by jealousy causing him to loathe Desdemona. To him she must die “else
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Act i. sc. i. ADMIRABLE is the preparation‚ so truly and peculiarly Shakspearian‚ in the introduction of Roderigo‚ as the dupe on whom Iago shall first exercise his art‚ and in so doing display his own character. Roderigo‚ without any fixed principle‚ but not without the moral notions and sympathies with honour‚ which his rank and connections had hung upon him‚ is already well fitted and predisposed for the purpose; for very want of character and strength of passion‚ like wind loudest in an empty
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******** ******** 3/14/12 Period 7 Topic 1 Othello is one of the many plays by William Shakespeare. It tells the story of the tragic love life of the valiant Moor‚ Othello. It shows how he changes; starting from greatness and respect‚ he is tricked by Iago in to being cruel and hating. Many people assume the basis of the story is Othello’s life and that because the play is called Othello that he is the protagonist. The actual protagonist though is the supposed antagonist‚ Iago. Iago
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OTHELLO ESSAY “O‚ beware‚ my lord‚ of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster‚ which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” (Shakespeare III. iii. 195-197). Everyone has the capacity for jealousy. It can change how people think as well as how they act. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare‚ jealousy is nurtured within the minds of multiple characters‚ and this jealousy is what ignites the want to make multiple misconceptions arise in order to create havoc and inflict suffering upon others and
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In the play‚ The Tragedy of Othello‚ Shakespeare really tests our conception as to what love is‚ and where it can or can’t exist. Judging from the relationship between Desdemona and Othello‚ through Nicholson’s "Othello" And The Geography Of Persuasion." the play seems to say that marriage based on an innocent romantic love or profane love is bound to fail. Shakespeare is pessimistic about the existence and survival of a true type of love. There is a common thread of betrayal and deceit among
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individual’s personal views. This motif is evident in the play‚ Othello written by William Shakespeare‚ through the true to nature‚ honourable Othello and the self-seeking and malevolent Iago. Shakespeare’s works classically involve reoccurring themes‚ which can be left open to individual interpretation. The tragic themes of flawed human nature and race are evident in this text through the tragic hero and villain. The fatal flaw of Othello is jealousy and Iago’s flaw is his dishonesty‚ it is through
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appear to be‚ few really know who you are.” To put this quote in context‚ Machiavelli was instructing a prince to appear to be a trustworthy and merciful guy and then to be prepared to act in a manner contrary to the appearance. Iago from the play Othello‚ employs this exact strategy--appearing to be an honest man only to use this good reputation to get what he wants. Throughout the play‚ Iago capitalizes on the gullibleness of others and his reputation as a righteous individual. Whether it be a poor
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Othello begins on a street in Venice‚ in the midst of an argument between Roderigo‚ a rich man‚ and Iago. Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him in his suit to Desdemona. But Roderigo has just learned that Desdemona has married Othello‚ a general whom Iago begrudgingly serves as ensign. Iago says he hates Othello‚ who recently passed him over for the position of lieutenant in favor of the inexperienced soldier Michael Cassio. Unseen‚ Iago and Roderigo cry out to Brabanzio that his daughter
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