Themes in Shakespeare’s Othello Throughout Shakespeare’s play‚ Othello‚ there are many themes interwoven to describe the author’s perspective of the true nature of a man’s soul. Three themes critical to the play are doubt versus trust‚ monstrous imagery and the fallible love of man. One central theme of the play is the major contrast of doubt versus trust. For whatever reason‚ Othello’s trust of Desdemona is too weak to resist Iago’s accusations. As happens in many of Shakespeare’s works‚ miscommunication
Premium Othello Jealousy
action of the main characters: Othello‚ Iago‚ and Desdemona. Othello is‚ at heart‚ a play about deception‚ and the emotional turmoil and mental anguish it can cause. Although Iago aptly demonstrates all that is evil through his malevolent manipulation of others‚ he is not the only practitioner of deception in the play. Othello himself can also be regarded as a study in deception‚ albeit of a much more subtle variety than that of the gleefully fiendish Iago; for Othello engages in self-deception – less
Premium Othello Iago William Shakespeare
Two tragedies from two different time period‚ Medea and Othello show similarities and differences in their characters‚ story plots and settings. Euripedes’ Medea written in the classical period and Shakespeare’s Othello written in the romantic era‚ the two tragedies shows different feel of what tragedies are. First of all‚ the most obvious difference between these two play is how Medea shows unities (time‚ place and action) whilst Othello has none. It’s clearly shown in the first scene‚ as soon
Premium William Shakespeare Love Romeo and Juliet
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
Premium Suicide Othello Poetry
“Odysseus” they are talking about the same person‚ Odysseus. But the poems are also different because‚ Tennyson’s poem is about Odysseus talking about how his son would be a better fit king than he was‚ and that he would rather sail to find another world. In Merwin’s poem Odysseus talks about his journeys from one island to the other and how he is still sailing and trying to get home. So how can we compare and contrast both poems? Easy‚ because one poem is written about Odysseus and his adventures
Premium Odysseus Odyssey Ulysses
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
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
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
Premium Gender Gender role Male
Shakespeare has an exceptional ability to compose plays full of deceit‚ trickery‚ murderous revenge‚ and jealousy. In Othello‚ one of his most recognized tragedies was consistently evolving around the central theme of jealousy. Jealousy in Othello is what the play was founded on. One of Shakespeare’s most credible characteristics in his writing is his ability to compose a play in which has a story that originates‚ and strides on lies. As theses lies were unraveled the central theme of his play became
Free Othello Iago Jealousy
(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
Premium Othello William Shakespeare Iago