Shakespeare - Othello

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 and  refer ambiguously to Othello as “he” or “him” for much of the first scene. When they begin to specify whom they are talking about, they do so with racial epithets, not names. These include “the Moor”, “the thick-lips”, “an old black ram”, and “a Barbary horse”. The play open with a scene in which Othello himself does not appear but instead we try to gain an initial impression through the comments of his people. This is an important aspect because by not making Othello himself appear we are shown the forces which will be employed against him, there is a created atmosphere of suspense and apprehension, which prepares the audience for his appearance later.

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Shakespeare, at first, shows us the importance and qualities that the Othello posses. He is shown to be calm and polite. For example, when Iago pretends that Roderigo’s insults against the Moor almost provoked him to attack the young man, Othello is pleased that the matter did not come to blows-“Tis better as it is.” Without being vainglorious, he realizes his own worth-“My services which I have done the signiory shall our tongue his complaints” (Brabantio’s). As a result, our first view of Othello is of a calm man who is in complete control of himself nor does he ...

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