How does Shakespeare use language and stagecraft to show Othello's changing feelings towards Dedemona throughout Othello
How does Shakespeare use language and stagecraft to reflect Othello's feelings towards Desdemona throughout Othello? (Focussing on Act 2 Scene 1, Act 3, Scene3, and Act 5 Scene 2) Othello was written by Shakespeare in the year 1603. It was first performed in court, but not published until 1622. William Shakespeare took ideas from Giraldi Cinthio's Hecca Tommithi - an Italian collection of 100 stories which were popular at the time, and studied by many playwrights and scholars. The play is about love, jealousy, deceit, racism and lies, and is one of Shakespeare's tragedies. Othello is set in two places- the first act in Venice and the rest of the play at a sea port in Cypress. Venice was a powerful city, with a wealthy, law-abiding and formal society. In contrast, Cypress was rowdy, not law-abiding, and constantly fighting. It is an island, which was attacked in 1570 by the Turks, having belonged to Italy for more than 100 years. Women were thought of as stupid, silly, and objects only for having children, doing as they were told, and less intelligent. A wife was bought for a dowry, and parents would sell off their daughters to gain influence or money. Desdemona was Othello's wife - they have been secretly married before the beginning of the play. She is the daughter of Venetian senator Barbanzio, and typically pure and meek, while being determined and self possessed.
Lago: The Evil in Othello
Lago;The Evil in Othello Iago is quite possibly one of the best examples of evil in literature. He is not merely manipulative as other "bad guys". Iago also brings the interesting aspect of truth into it all. He quite literally tells the best lies using mostly the truth. What can we call him? Whether it be the devil, Satan, Beelzebub, Lucifer or Moloch, these words represent the very same idea: pure evil. Not the terrible creature from beyond, or anything quite so mundane as that, but the fundamental belief of malignancy in the world. All of these ideas reach a phenomenal peak in Iago. Iago does not have the casual killing persona of a Stalinor Mao, but instead possesses the pure hatred of everything he deems to be good and pure. His very existence is for the destruction of the truly innocent. From the very beginning of Othello, Iago is in the midst of his scheme to destroy Othello. He speaks with the muddy-mettled rascal, Roderigo. And from the very first moment Iago admits to not really being what he seems. He is not what he is. And what does he use as his reasoning for his obvious ill towards Othello. Well, he is sort of mad that Cassio was chosen as a Lieutenant instead of him. It is interesting that Iago feels the need to justify himself to a pantywaist like Roderigo, who entrusts him with his "purse" without really even knowing him.
Explore Shakespeare's presentation of jealousy in 'Othello'
Explore Shakespeare's presentation of jealousy in 'Othello' Shakespeare uses jealousy as a central theme throughout the play, without this aggressive and destructive emotion, there would be no solid plot. Shakespeare demonstrates how terrifying jealousy can be and that its has perhaps unnatural qualities. Shakespeare often refers to jealousy as a devouring emotion, "O beware, my lord of jealousy! It is the green eyed monster which doth mock, The meat it feeds on." Shakespeare uses this to give the emotion a sense of being devoured or devouring. This fits in extremely well with Iago's description of Othello as being "eaten up with passion." This suggests exactly how strong Othello's monumental jealousy really is, once Othello becomes convinced that his wife is unfaithful Iago continues to feed his jealousy which causes Othello to indeed behave like a monster. However, its dramatic irony that Iago says this to Othello. The audience knows that Iago is perhaps the one "eaten up," with jealousy and Othello is none the wiser to this. However unlike Othello, Iago has a different forms of jealousy he holds; the form of personal and professional jealousy. This is linked to a feeling of envy which sets the play in motion. Iago says that hatred and jealousy "gnaw at his inwards" like poison, however his ultimate aim is to poison Cassio and Othello and make them suffer as he is.
Iago's Homosexuality is the key to understanding Shakespeare's characterisation
Iago's Homosexuality is the key to understanding Shakespeare's characterisation. Homosexuality doesn't really occur in renaissance drama, particularly tragedies. So it's quite surprising that as an audience we are left to wonder if Iago is infact gay. What can be confirmed is that Iago's sexuality is extremely twisted. He clearly shows negative feelings towards his wife and she could be seen as just a helper in his plans, or even a cover up to his true sexuality. " You rise play, and go to bed to work.", he is completely degrading women. Emilia replies, " You shall not write my praise." Shakespeare set's up their rocky relationship from the first exchange we see between them. This means there could be more tension to come from the loveless couple. Iago tells Othello, " I am yours favour" this almost sounds like vow for a marriage and sets up the indication that Iago might be gay. Iago describes to Othello, how he "laid" with Cassio, and in Casio's dream, he mumbled his love for Desdemona and how Cassio started feeling up Iago; perhaps this is an indication of Iago's 'lust' for Cassio in that he is describing to Othello, what he wants Cassio to do to him. It might not be that he's exactly gay, just not really into women either. Iago could be played as vein and love himself as he is completely selfish. Shakespeare has presented in Iago a character whose only motive is evil
Give a detailed analysis of Othello's final speech,
Give a detailed analysis of Othello's final speech, "Soft you a word or two before I go..." as presented in the various screen interpretations you have seen. Discuss the effectiveness. Put forward alternative staging options which you feel would be more effective. Make links with different Literary - Critical interpretations, as well as with context material. Show how the passage picks up themes from the play as a whole. Andrew Mackay 12E WORD COUNT: 1606 DATE: 04/02/03 The five screen interpretations where all with the actors playing Othello as, Welles, Olivier, Hopkins, White and Fishburne. All five were produced on video format with a contrast of film and stage presentations. I have decided to focus on the three presentations of, Olivier, White and Fishburne. The final speech of Othello starts with Othello near to or cradling the limp lifeless boy of Desdemona after he has killed her. Iago has been arrested and Emilia is dead. The play is closing in the traditional Shakespearian way with an explosive and emotional ending similar to Romeo and Juliet with the loves killing themselves as a result of misfortune and lies. In the films there is a mixture of setting and performance styles and some of the Othello's are "blacked up" as they are of Caucasian natural skin. This speech is important as it is the culmination of the whole play and all the issues raised as to the love
He is a man "more sinned against than sinning".Discuss with relation to the character of Othello.
He is a man "more sinned against than sinning". Discuss with relation to the character of Othello. As the play progresses, Othello's character goes through many changes which happen as a result of him falling victim to Iago's evil schemes. At first he is introduced as an army general who is respected for what he does but still discriminated against for being black. Othello is a victim to racism throughout the play. He is often referred to as "the Moor" even by his beloved Desdemona and is also called by more offensive terms. Iago uses animal imagery in referring to Othello as an "old black ram". The use of animal imagery degrades Othello and use of the word "black" implies that black people were thought to be as low as animals. Emilia also calls Othello "the blacker devil" which is certainly a racist term; however, under the circumstances in which it was used she had fair reason to insult him. Furthermore, Brabantio throws harsh abusive accusations and hypocritical insults at Othello. Othello had often been invited to Brabantio's house to speak of his experiences on the battle field; however, when it comes out that Othello has married has married his daughter Desdemona he accuses Othello of having "practised on her foul charms" and that he 2hast enchanted her" in order to seduce her into his "cunning hell". This may show Othello as a victim to Brabantio, but Brabantio was
What is the significance of Iagos Soliloquies in Othello?
What is the significance of Iago's Soliloquies in 'Othello'? 'Othello' is a Shakespearian tragedy written in 1604. Othello is a black African prince who is a general in the Venetian army. He wrongly falls in love with Desdemona, who comes from a noble family, where it is unacceptable to marry a black man. After Othello gives a promotion to Cassio, Iago gets extremely jealous. His jealousy gets the better of him, and he plans to break Othello. Because of his manipulation, Othello, Desdemona, Emilia who is Iago's wife and Roderigo who is a friend, all die. One of the main characters in 'Othello' is Othello. Othello is black and this makes him a victim of racism. The earliest experience of racism is when Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio to tell him "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe." By this, they mean that Othello is having sex with Brabantio's daughter Desdemona. This makes Othello seem like the perpetrator, and Desdemona as the victim. It puts Othello in the wrong straight away and makes him sound evil and horrible. Othello lives in a white society and this also contributes to the fact he is a haven for racism. He stands out in this society as a unique character. Othello falls in love with the very attractive Desdemona. Desdemona comes from a noble family and is extremely independent and faithful. Cassio is Othello's lieutenant and is used in Iago's plan to break
Examine the techniques Iago employs to achieve his aims in the play Othello.
Examine the techniques Iago employs to achieve his aims in the play Othello. In traditional Shakespearean tragedies the protagonist is destroyed through their own fatal flaw. The play Othello is different because there is a villain which is unusual for a Shakespearean tragedy. In the play Macbeth, the tragic events occur because of Macbeths own fatal flaw of ambition. However in the play Othello; Iago, one of the main characters manipulates Othello's fatal flaw of jealously which leads to the tragic ending of the play. He says how he is using Othello by "following him I follow but myself"; he is pretending to be loyal to Othello but is really doing it for his own benefit. Iago plans revenge on Othello when he gives Cassio the job of lieutenant instead of to him; he describes himself as "worth no worse a place" and is showing that he thinks highly of himself. Even after he manages to get Cassio dismissed and replaces him as lieutenant, he still continues to carry out his plan of destruction. This reveals that the reason of Iagos plans are merely just for fun. Iago deceives everyone even Roderigo who supports him, not knowing everything about Iago's plans, he even questions why he "ever made a fool my purse" which shows he is only using Roderigo for his own benefit. No-one in the play seems to know what Iago is really like. He manipulates everyone in the play to gain
How does Shakespeare in Act One create an atmosphere of uncertainty & duplicity
How does Shakespeare in Act One create an atmosphere of uncertainty & duplicity? "Tush! Never tell me...thou, Iago, who hast had my purse/ As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this." Ingeniously Shakespeare captivates the audience's attention immediately. The audience are propelled into a conversation exposing one man's disbelief regarding news he has received, that is yet to be divulged to the audience. Tension is aroused from the very start, stimulating an atmosphere of uncertainty, spawning a hungry desire for the audience to uncover Roderigo's misfortune. Roderigo asserts that Iago has had a free reign with his money, his unsettled manner is directed at Iago. Thus, Shakespeare has contrived the introductory scene to foreshadow Iago's character as a treacherous swindler. Moreover, Roderigo must have had a generous amount of faith in Iago to confide and trust him with his money. It remains ambiguous at the beginning of Act One as to whether or not Iago and Roderigo are close companions or business associates discussing a deal, or a mutual arrangement of some sort involving money. Subsequently, the audience learns of Iago's passionate loathing for a character who is talked about in sarcastic and bitter undertones. Throughout Iago's speech he makes reference to him: 'make me his lieutenant,' 'Off-capped to him,' and 'But
