******** ******** 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
Free Othello Iago William Shakespeare
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
Premium Othello Iago William Shakespeare
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
Free Othello Iago
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
Premium Othello Iago William Shakespeare
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
Premium Iago Othello Brabantio
Shakespeare’s Othello continues to engage audiences through its dramatic treatment of grand and challenging ideas. In the light of your critical study‚ does this statement resonate with you? Make specific reference to the text. Shakespeare explores numerous grand and challenging ideas throughout the play Othello. One such idea is the concept of dualities and the way in which they are manifested in people. In the play‚ there is no exploration of the ambiguities of life‚ everything is divided into
Free Othello Black people Good and evil
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
Premium Gender Gender role William Shakespeare
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
Free Othello Iago
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
Free Othello Iago
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