Othello is a play of violent contrasts.
'Othello is a play of violent contrasts, of language, character and mood.' Discuss the presentation of these issues in relation to the opening act of Othello. Knight comments that 'in Othello we are faced with the vividly particular rather than the vague and universal1.' Here, he immediately sets up Othello as being a play that, instead of focusing on a broad and more general level, all of the various themes and motifs that it contains converge on this 'particular' focal point - a centre that, particularly in the initial act, breathes with so much literal and symbolic contrast that not only exists between characters, their language and mood, but too within every character, within the mood that the playwright paints. Right from the onset, Shakespeare creates opposition between the characters; he creates such 'unkind' emotion. Roderigo fears that his 'purse' has been taken by Iago, 'as if the strings were thine' - Iago's role as a manipulator, an overriding force whom himself claims to be 'not what' he is, enforcing this concept of negativity, of disillusionment at the heart of the play that, in turn, forebodes the dramatic conflict that is to tear its way into the lives of all. Iago declares that 'our bodies are gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners,' powerfully embodying this emblematic representation of him being a 'gardener', one who is in charge of his own fate,
'To what extent does the writer's use of language contribute to the presentation of Albion Gidley Singer and the crime he commits?'
'To what extent does the writer's use of language contribute to the presentation of Albion Gidley Singer and the crime he commits?' This passage is about Albion Gidley Singer who we see in the first paragraph as a loving , caring and responsible father. As we go further into the passage we see him changing for the worse and later he ends up raping his daughter out of frustration and also little bit of jealousy. The story starts with Albion Gidley Singer going to check on his daughter which had become a daily routine as 'I had got into the habit' suggests. This shows him as a loving and caring father going to check on his daughter as usual. On this particular night as he went to check on his daughter instead of receiving a glad smile and some amazing facts about aardvarks, she is shocked and gasps as she hears him come in. The 'instead' shows him as a foreshadowing and disciplinarian father. The glad smile and facts about aardvarks shows innocence in the daughter and the shock shows that she is scared of him. In the second paragraph he mentions about his daughter's 'fluster' which makes him suspicious and his disapproval of the fact that she was not working shows that he had high expectations of her, and also the 'Euclid I had got her' shows that he's fond of academy. When she moves as if to cover her work he thinks 'as well she might' shows his authority and his values.
"Write about Fitzgerald's story-telling methods in chapter 3."
Gatsby Essay. "Write about Fitzgerald's story-telling methods in this chapter." In terms of form in the first chapter Fitzgerald uses the first person retrospective in the main character Nick Carraway. Nick appears to be talking about events that happened two years previously and therefore we receive the information retrospectively and almost in a second hand manner, meaning that it could have been adapted and not in its original form. When using this form of narrative Fitzgerald needs the reader to completely trust the judgement of Nick and his ability to remember what happened in precise enough detail. This trust is created during the first page where Nick himself talks about how people seem to trust him, how de doesn't judge people too quickly and his tolerance of others, "I'm inclined to reserve all judgements... I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men... boasting this way of my tolerance." The effect of using this first person narrative and having Nick as the central character could mean that the reader considers him as a person who, when re-encountering details of past times, will tell the truth and not have his memory blurred by judgement. The use of layers and shifts in narrative help the structure to stay maintained while bringing other facts and peoples interpretations into the story. For example, when Nick is talking to Myrtle about her first
To what extent does language reflect the disintegration of Othellos character?
To what extent does language reflect the disintegration of Othello's character? Throughout the play, the protagonist's language seems to be an honest portrayal of his state of mind. His language is inconsistent through the play and this reflects the characters downfall and change in nature. In the beginning of the play Othello appears to be a noble man with a calm nature. This is apparent during Othello's disagreement with Brabantio over his marriage to Desdemona. Othello exclaims, 'Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust / them.' (Act1,2,58). His use of language demonstrates he is wise as he is being rational rather than responding to physical violence. It is through this calm and rational manner that Othello persuades the Duke to dismiss Brabantio's claims that he has used 'magic' and 'drugs' to woo his daughter. Othello even says, 'Rude am I in my speech', to apologise for any offence he may cause even though he is fully aware that he is speaking in a polite and calm manner. His language here shows control unlike Brabantio who uses abrupt and accusing language: 'O foul thief! Where has thou stow'd my daughter?' (Act1,2,62). Othello's love for his wife is portrayed through his speech: 'I therefore beg it not / To please the palate of my appetite, / Nor to comply with heat the young affects / In my distinct and proper satisfaction, / But to be free and
Examine the ways in which Shakespeare presents the changed character of Othello.
In act 4 scene 1 we see a marked change in Othello since his suspicions of Desdemona were first aroused. Examine the ways in which Shakespeare presents the changed character of Othello here and elsewhere in the play. To be capable to note a change in the character of Othello we must look at his initial behaviour and how Shakespeare presents his personality. A Shakespearean tragedy consists of a 'hero's' life and their downfall, which will ultimately lead to their death. For a character to become a hero he must be respected and noble, to do this Shakespeare creates scenes to raise Othello's status. We expect to have a great deal of respect for the protagonist. In another of Shakespeare's Tragedies Macbeth, the protagonist's status is raised similarly as they are both powerful generals whose success in battle make them respected by the audience because of their service to their country. This is shown in the first acts of both plays for example, King Duncan exclaims, "For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name" and Othello is refeared to as "valiant moor" by the Duke. The fact that both of the protagonists are respected by people of a high status in the opening scenes is to create standards which the audience will expect to see throughout the remainder of the play. It is significant that both Macbeth and Othello are soldiers because their pasts are referred to throughout
A critical analysis of Iago's second soliloquy.
Othello - Gobbet Question - Iago's Second Soliloquy Iago's second soliloquy is very revealing. It shows him shaping a plan out of the confusion of his emotionally charged thoughts. Iago examines his own thoughts, especially his hatred for Othello: "The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not" He is also suffering from the "poisonous mineral" of jealousy that still swirls around the rumour that Othello has slept with Emilia. Iago could get his revenge by seducing Desdemona: "Now I do love her too ... But partly led to diet my revenge, for that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leaped into my seat, the thought whereof doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards". Iago uses the word "love" here in a very cynical, free way, making it a combination of lust towards Desdemona and seeking power over Othello, Cassio and Desdemona. At first he sees his seduction of Desdemona as his revenge: "Till I am evened with him, wife for wife". Then Iago realizes that the jealousy that torments him is the very weapon he can use against Othello, who will be even more susceptible. Iago will lead Othello, via jealousy, to madness: "Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, for making him egregiously an ass". At the same time, his statements about what motivates him are hazy and confusing. He could be motivated by lust for Desdemona, envy of Cassio, or jealousy over his wife's supposed affair
To what extent is Othello considered a tragic hero?
To what extent is Othello considered a tragic hero? Othello has many qualities that a tragic hero should possess, such as a fatal flaw, a discovery and an epiphany. He is also a very noble character and took a fall from grace so to some extent many would consider Othello to be a tragic hero. However, it is also clear that Othello's status as a black man makes him an outsider to Venetian society, therefore, Othello would be lower down on the chain of Being making him a less respectable character. Othello is also an outsider in the Venetian society because he is not from Venice; again this makes him a less respected character in the play, consequently, making him less of a tragic hero. Othello's main aspect that makes him an excellent tragic hero is his role as a general in the army. This is considered an important job and Othello is well respected for it by Venetian society. Othello's respect is evident as many of the characters in the play address him as the "valiant moor." This shows that Othello is seen as a brave courageous person. Othello demonstrates his bravery throughout the play. An example of this occurs when Othello marries Desdemona as the consequence of this action would obviously have a negative outcome, Othello could have been sentenced to prison or even put to death. In spite of this, Othello defends his marriage and tells Brabantio to, "keep up your bright
To what extent is Othello a Hegelian tragedy?
To what extent is Othello a Hegelian tragedy? A Hegelian tragedy must have; a society in conflict and a series of opposing social forces that ultimately destroy themselves. It is argued that a Hegelian tragedy is not about the individual characters but rather what they represent. The beginning of the play Othello is set in Venice and the Venetian society is definitely portrayed to be in conflict. Firstly there is a war going on between Venice and the Turks. Othello is a general and plays a key role on the war. Eventually the venetians beat the Turks and Othello, Desdemona and the rest of the key characters go to stay in Cyprus. Secondly there is the conflict with race within the society. Othello, otherwise known as the moor, originates from North Africa and he is black. Many of the characters call his names such as 'thick lips' and 'black ram' as well as always referring to him as 'the moor'. When Brabantio finds out that his daughter Desdemona is married to Othello, a black man, he thinks it's monstrous and takes Othello straight to the duke. Lastly there are the constant arguments. In the opening scene of the play we see Roderigo and Iago arguing outside Brabantio's house. Roderigo has paid iago a considerable amount of money to spy on Othello for him, since he wishes to take Othello's girlfriend, Desdemona as his own. Roderigo fears Iago has not been telling him
Othello speech. Othello is the ultimate story of doomed love, passion and revenge, and is a story that has been reworked by many producers, writers and directors. One such production is the 1997 Royal Shakespeare Company play titled Othello, directe
CLOSE STUDY OF TEXT - Othello Assessment Task Term 2 Task 1: Oral Presentation Othello is the ultimate story of doomed love, passion and revenge, and is a story that has been reworked by many producers, writers and directors. One such production is the 1997 Royal Shakespeare Company play titled "Othello", directed by Michael Attenborough. The production was presented at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford. Throughout it, Attenborough portrays his interpretation of the turbulent tragedy via the communication of the plot and characters that make up the production, lighting and sound techniques, as well as the central themes in it. The play is set in the Edwardian period in the early twentieth century, and opens with Othello standing in the midst of a racist British colonial military camp. The unique context - 'a militaristic world' according to Logan, is thus suggested from the beginning. Furthermore, from looking at a number of photos that were taken of the production, it was clear that Attenborough's play was presented in a very large theatre. There was also one review which said that because of the large, a very big cast was used. Lois Potter suggests that because the production relied on spectacle, 'it was largely through visual rather than verbal means that it achieved poetic quality'. Attenborough presented characters like Desdemona
Do you think this is how Shakespeare wanted to portray or present the character?Samuel Taylor Coleridge once wrote that Iago's soliloquies are the "motive-hunting of motiveless malignity".
Samuel Taylor Coleridge once wrote that Iago's soliloquies are the "motive-hunting of motiveless malignity". Do you think this is how Shakespeare wanted to portray or present the character? 'The Arden Shakespeare', argues that Othello is the 'third of greatest tragedies, contains arguably the best plot and two of Shakespeare's most original characters'. Originating from a tale written by Cinthio, Othello is seen as one of the Bard's most passionate and intricate tragedies. The play, originally identified as The Tragedy of Othello-the Moor of Venice, can be easily differentiated from Shakespeare's other plays as Othello explores a sense of cruelty that lacks comic relief. Moreover, Iago's character greatly emphasises on an intense theme of unity of action that is revealed as there are no subplots throughout. A structuralist approach is discovered as the signifier and signified are inversed frequently during the play. Critics have said 'Othello subverts traditional theatrical symbolism, through the presentation of characters Othello and Iago'. The drama of the play is usually driven by Iago's machination to destroy his general. Iago possesses more lines than Othello does throughout the play and moreover uses the speech of soliloquies to communicate with the audience forming a mutual relationship, as the villain reveals other dimensions to his character and schemes. Although
