What extent does racism contribute to Othello's downfall?
At the time of Shakespeare, there were only few blacks lived in Britain and they treated in a different way by their society, as they were different by colour. The point of view towards them was very mixed, strangeness and mystery. Also fear, distrust and hostility towards blacks seem to be at this time. They believed that the blacks descendants of Ham in the Genes story, punished for sexual excess by their blackness. Moreover black people tempt to be courage, pride and easily aroused passions. In medieval England, black people introduced into plays and folk dancing. They often attend to appear as villains in the play. The importance given to these characters because of the unusual affects which their contrasting colour provided, since their colour was black it invented the evilness meant for their characters. Therefore they tend to grow as black villain heroes. The Shakespearean tragedy, Othello, was written and set during the mid 16th century. The play has set in Cyprus and Venice. Shakespeare intends to break the stereotype of black characters through this play. He represent the black hero of outstanding qualities, and it was hard on Shakespeare's audience to appreciate the out standing figure of black, as they were familiar with the character of the black man as a villain. Moreover, Shakespeare expressed his desire for social by doing this play. Through out the play,
How and why does Othello's character change during the course of the play? How does Shakespeare present this dramatically?
How and why does Othello's character change during the course of the play? How does Shakespeare present this dramatically? When Othello is sent to war in Cyprus, the Moor's character changes over the course of time. His language and attitude towards people, including his innocent wife, begins to differ for the worse. Othello's wild behaviour worries Desdemona incredibly as he changes a lot from his calm and gentle nature from before. Shakespeare presents this transformation through Othello's syntax and dramatic irony. His confused logic is evident in his actions whether they are violent or passionate. When Othello is in his home city of Venice, his attitude towards others is calm, shown when Cassio enters warning him that Brabantio is after him, he replies, "'Tis well I am found by you: I will but spend a word here in the house and go with you." Othello doesn't react to the words of Cassio, he stands confidently as he hasn't done anything wrong. He is a man of bravery and self-assurance. When Brabantio arrives, he orders his officers to seize Othello, but in reply, the Moor says, "Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them." This humorous comment breaks the tense atmosphere and relaxes the viewers' thoughts on the situation. Shakespeare is clearly trying to show Othello's confidence and self-control as strangers approach him. This annoys Brabantio, as he feels
"Iago is the cunning villain of the play Othello; he cleverly manipulates the characters in order to achieve his aims. Discuss Shakespeare's portrayal of Iago and the audience's response to the characters."
"Iago is the cunning villain of the play Othello; he cleverly manipulates the characters in order to achieve his aims. Discuss Shakespeare's portrayal of Iago and the audience's response to the characters." Iago is one of the most complex and interesting characters in this play. He is in the Venetian army and is General Othello's trusted aide. He is married to Emilia, who is Desdemona's' (Othello's' wife) care taker. Iago is well acquainted with Othello, Rodrigo Cassio and Desdemona, and hence all these puppets are infected by his evil manipulations. Iago uses several linguistic and psychological techniques to achieve his ends. Now I shall discuss Shakespeare's portrayal of Iago, his manipulating techniques, and how the audiences respond to his portrayal. The time, in which this play is set in, the Venetian society is racist against coloured people. The role of women of Desdemona's status was not equal to that of the men. They were the properties of their fathers, to be sold into marriage, and interracial relationships were considered disrespect to the family. They were meant to be innocent virginal, saintly souls. Many themes are introduced into the play Othello, which mostly compare the contrasts in life. There is Darkness and Reality, Appearance and reality, Love jealousy and hatred. Iago has white skin colour, but has a dark black and merciless heart, where as Othello
Othello and desdimona
Othello and desdimona In Shakespeare's play Othello, Iago is the antagonist. That is, he is the villain in the play Othello. He is the person who causes an action to occur which affects the other characters in the play. This action may not necessarily be a good thing. Iago is the catalyst for Othello's change. He is the reason behind Othello's changing views of his wife Desdemona, which results in the deaths of many of the characters in this tragedy. In order to understand the role Iago plays in destroying Othello, it is important to understand how Iago uses other characters in Othello to set his devious plot into motion. Iago successfully manipulates the characters involved to further his evil plans. He does this in such a way that the majority of the characters' perceptions of each other change dramatically. Thus leading to Othello's transformation and Othello's changing views and behaviour towards his beloved wife Desdemona. Iago firstly uses Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman, in love with Desdemona and then Cassio in the process of annihilating Othello. Cassio is Othello's Lieutenant. Other characters Iago exploit include his own wife Emilia and Desdemona herself. Iago goes to a lot of trouble to conquer Othello. When Iago's interaction with the other characters is understood then it can be perfectly recognised, acknowledged and understood how Iago causes Othello's
King Lear Described Himself as a Man "More sinned against than Sinning." In your opinion, could this be true of Othello?
King Lear Described Himself as a Man "More sinned against than Sinning." In your opinion, could this be true of Othello? In the tragedy Othello, we see Othello change many times and go through many different charcacters. The changes can be noted as Othello becomes more involved in Iago's plans and schemes. He is introduced as a tragic hero whose stories of travel and being World wide bring him and Desdemona together, she loved him for his tales, he loved her because she listened. "And bade me, if I had a friend what loved her I should teach him how to tell my story And that would woo her" Othello is a victim to many throughout the play. He is victim to racism from many people, even Desdemona refers to him as "the Moor." Othello falls mainly victim to Iago. Iago always knew what he was doing, it is known that Iago's aim throughout the play was to transform the way people viewed Othello. Iago is, in fact, behind every one of Othello's problems. We can see that Iago's every more has the purpose of bringing about Othello's downfall. This is the way Iago's evil side shows and Othello is seen as the victim, like a battle of good/evil. Bradley says in his criticism, "Any husband would have been troubled by Iago's words." It is not Othello's fault, but his tragic flaw which causes his actions, inspired by Iago. Another man who throws insults at Othello is Brabantio.
'A mysterious inhuman creature with unlimited cynicism'. Explore the character of Iago in the light of this comment, focusing on his soliloquies and his treatment of the other characters.
'A mysterious inhuman creature with unlimited cynicism'. Explore the character of Iago in the light of this comment, focusing on his soliloquies and his treatment of the other characters. Compare how your interpretation differs from those of other Critics. 'Regimes whose rule is terror...led by men to whom power has meant a licence to corrupt, maim and murder. Some men delight in things for no reason but because they are ugly and infamous' Samuel Butler (1680) Derived from a collection of Italian short stories by Giraldo Cinthio and first performed in London in the summer of 1601 in front of James I, Othello remains to this day one of Shakespeare's most controversial yet finest and popular tragedies. Featuring Othello himself, notably the first black hero to appear on English stage. Othello demonstrates emotional power and revolves around trust and distrust. Johnson interprets Othello as a play that is not easy to analyse because it teaches the reader or viewer the inner truth of human nature. Reading exercises your own powers of judgement. Shakespeare manages to introduce truly evil themes: racism depicted not only to be skin deep, hierarchy and snobbery. The power of suggestion and power itself. It is common knowledge that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". The idea of Othello having no power and the corrupter Iago rivets rather then repels power.
Audience to Give Othello Nothing.
Martin Hutnik Ms.McCallam ENG 3UN-01 Tuesday July 15, 2003 Audience to Give Othello Nothing The Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary defines sympathy as: A feeling or an expression of pity or sorrow for the distress of another. Anyone would feel bad for one if for example his or her loved one died or if one would lose a job. Would anyone really show pity for those who act sinfully through their actions, and then show that they are sorry for what they did once judgment day comes? Well that is up to God, but we know that Othello savagely kills his wife, Desdemona. Should we show him sympathy? Also, he is too foolish to see that Iago is not his true friend, but that his wife and Michael Cassio are. Should we show him sympathy? Similarly, Othello who kills his wife, could not bear that he does such a deed, and then takes his own life? Should we show him sympathy? In William Shakespeare's Othello the audience should be imprudent to expose their sympathy for Othello because he kills his wife, he his foolish to believe in Iago and kills himself after he finds out that his wife has not in fact cheated on him. Firstly, in Othello the man responsible for the death of his beloved love should not be given any sympathy from the audience because of how gruesome Othello's act is. Othello's wife, Desdemona, loves him so much that even when he kills her she tells her servant, Emilia, that,
Othello Synopsis.
Othello Synopsis Act I . o Iago complains to Roderigo that Othello has appointed Cassio rather than Iago as his lieutenant. o Iago claims a right to revenge but will act the loyal follower for now. o Roderigo and Iago wake Brabantio to tell him his daughter Desdemona has eloped with Othello. o When Brabantio begins to investigate, Iago leaves to prevent being exposed in his hostility to Othello. o Brabantio and Roderigo set out to find Othello. 2. o Iago expresses great anger at Brabantio for speaking ill of Othello. o Cassio arrives from the Duke with a summons related to the war in Cyprus. o Brabantio and Roderigo arrive. o Brabantio arrests Othello for witchcraft while Othello prevents bloodshed. 3. o The Duke and council discuss the movements of a Turkish fleet sailing towards Cyprus. o Brabantio arrives and states his charge. o Othello claims he is no diplomat, and asks that Desdemona's testimony be his defence. o The Duke summons her. o Othello begins to speak of his friendship to Brabantio and their conversations about his life experiences, including war, slavery, escape and adventure. o He states that Desdemona also loved these stories and grew to love him because of them. o Desdemona arrives and expresses her wifely duty to Othello. o Brabantio very grudgingly accepts the marriage. o The group tries to turn its attention to
Who is responsible for Othello's downfall?
Who is responsible for Othello's downfall? - Kate Graham There are several characters that I consider to play a part in Othello's downfall, one of which is Desdemona. If Othello's fatal flat was jealousy, then it could be said that Desdemona's was generosity. When Othello dismisses Cassio as his lieutenant, Desdemona, sensing the injustice assures Cassio she will do all that she can to help, 'I will do all my abilities in thy behalf'. This kind mistake is what allows Iago to plant the seeds of doubt in Othello's mind. Desdemona refuses to let Othello have any peace from her constant requests that Cassio be reinstated, 'I'll intermingle everything he does with Cassio's suit', which is not a very pleasant thing to do to her newly wed husband, and the first cracks in their union start to appear. If it was not for Desdemona's kind nature, helping Cassio more than she would herself, 'What I can do, I will; and more I will, Than for myself I dare' Then Iago would not have been able to manipulate Othello's mind in the carefully constructed web of deceit he had planned. The culture and values of society at the time cannot be allowed to escape without blame. The patriarchal society of the time, in which women's lives were as highly regarded as women's right to free speech cannot have helped Othello's inner turmoil. Othello thought he was doing society a favour by murdering
Discuss the character of Iago. Consider both the nature of his character and HOW it is conveyed.
Discuss the character of Iago. Consider both the nature of his character and HOW it is conveyed. The most fascinating and curious character in the tragic play "Othello", by William Shakespeare, is "Honest" Iago. In the play his nature is conveyed to the audience in many ways. Iago's character is determined by his relationship with the other characters in the play. His betrayal of those who love him that occurs throughout the text is a prime example of this, and is emphasised further by dramatic irony. Iago, as the height of evil and villainy, has the typical immorality and cunning about him. Due to Iago's innate sense of deception, he has two major personalities, one of appearance and the other of reality. But Shakespeare instead of making his villain transparent, Iago is given depth and spirit. The deceitful nature of Iago is conveyed to the audience by his treachery of the other characters, especially Othello. Iago appears to be extremely plausible, building a fabricated trust with those who surround him. He is the image of the soldier, frank, down-to-earth if a little vulgar in speech, "honest" and loyal. It is how Iago wants to be seen and, until the end of the play, how the characters see him. The audience knows that he is a cynical man who really does not mean what he says. In Act I, Iago stirs up Brabantio - without being seen - against Othello, saying, "I am one
