Lodovico's First Appearance in William Shakespeare's Othello
One of the main themes in the play is the contrast between the
so-called civilised Venice and 'savage' Cyprus. This in itself is
rather ironic because it is from Venice that Iago's racism and sexism
come from and also the underlying racism and sexism throughout the
play is inherent in Venice. An example of this is Brabantio who,
although he welcomes Othello ('Her father loved me, oft invited me')
into his home, there is a distinct difference between treating Othello
as an interesting novelty, and displaying a pseudo
political-correctness, and letting Othello marry his daughter. This is
proved when Brabantio says:
'For if such actions may have passage free,
Bondslaves and [pagans shall our statesmen be.'
However, for all Venice's problems, it is the place that Othello
longed to be accepted into and the place in which he made a name for
himself. Lodovico represents all that Othello remembers about Venice,
as he has just come from there and not been dragged down by Iago's
madness like the other characters. He has the courtly manner of Venice
and is expecting Othello to still know the same. He greets Othello
humbly 'God save you, worthy general' and Othello responds in kind:
'With all my heart, sir'. However, the reader knows Othello is tense
underneath and this soon boils over. He calls Desdemona 'mad',
responding to Desdemona's continuing support of Cassio. He thinks she
is openly showing her illicit love; therefore not 'wise' but 'mad'.
A little later in the scene he hits Desdemona, and Lodovico is
obviously shocked:
My Lord, this would not be believed in Venice,
Though I should swear I saw't. 'Tis very much.
Make her amends; she weeps'
When Othello strikes Desdemona, he shows the severity of his change.
Just her mention of Cassio sends him into an unreasonable rage; every
little thing he regards with suspicion, even if he has no cause.
Although one of his greatest fears regarding Desdemona's alleged
infidelity was that it would blacken his name and reputation, the
but most of all he wanted to live with freedom to think and act as he
By being forced to break off with his identity of being a stranger, he got a chance to live out what he always wanted, recognition. His experience of exile led him to be in alienating situations, where he verbally had to prove himself right. His exile was also enriching because it gave him the recognition he wanted. The “stranger” was able to unmask his
weapons. He has to use race as an excuse as he knows that Othello is
Othello's identity in the Venetian society is his role as "the Moor". Few people use his real name when talking about him. When speaking the given quote, Othello is telling the Venetians how he won Desdemona's heart by telling her the story of his life, and he now retells it to the Venetians. This tale-telling is a way of employing the linguistic system to reshape for himself a new identity with more positive connotations than "the Moor" can offer. "The Moor" is an expression the Venetians connect to other expressions in the linguistic system which all have a negative value. Examples are such expressions as "old black ram...
The Delay of Othello's Entrance in Act 1 of William Shakespeare's Othello In this piece of coursework I will be looking at the reasons why Shakespeare delayed Othello's entrance until Scene 2 of Act 1 in the play. I will also look at points such as the audience's perception of Iago, and our views of Othello before and after his entrance. I will also talk about the historical, social and cultural contexts and I will look at critical opinions, authorial intentions and language analysis. Othello is set in the early 17th Century when Shakespeare (the playwright) was in his middle ages.
Emilia is excited that she finally is in possession of the handkerchief. It has been something that Iago has been urging her to steal, and the fact that she did not explicitly steal it makes her feel a bit relieved as well.
“I asked her to wear something revealing, so she showed up in a prophet's toga.”(CITE) Jarod Kintz’s words are an example of miscommunication, or failure to comprehend meaning. In this case, it is implied that one person misunderstood the message of another, but incomprehension also applies to problems other than falsely interpreted requests. Incomprehension can occur when people misinterpret another’s words or intentions, or when a person misreads situations or events. The outcome described in Kintz’s quote is unexpected and unintended, but there are instances of incomprehension that have consequences of greater severity. Perhaps a classic tragedy with a high body count falls under these parameters.
Shakespeare, William, and Kim F. Hall. Othello, the Moor of Venice: Texts and Contexts. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007. Print.
After learning from Desdemona that Othello is upset, Iago response saying, “Can he be angry? I have seen the cannon / When it hath blown his ranks into the air / And, like the devil, from his very arm / Puffed his own brother—and is he angry? / Something of moment then, I will go meet him. / There’s matter in ’t indeed, if he be angry.” (3.4.154-159) He has seen Othello in battle, keeping his head when men were dying all around him. Iago is a habitual liar, but there is no reason for him to lie about how Othello has conducted himself in battle. He says that if Othello is upset then something must be a good reason behind his anger. Of course, Iago knows the reason but he can not let Desdemona or Cassio know of his plan. Lodovico, a member of Venice 's diplomatic service, makes a similar remark about the Moor’s composer after he smacks his wife. He is in utter disbelief at the man actions. “Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate / Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature / Whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue / The shot of accident nor dart of chance / Could neither graze nor pierce?” he asks. (4.1.297-301) Othello is unravelling at this point. His jealous is so strong that he has lost the very nature of his being. Instead of being a calm, collected leader, he is now acting
As Othello is known in the play as the Moor, he often faces discrimination that his peers did not face. When Brabantio finds out that Othello married his daughter, he claims that Othello must have “enchanted her” (1.2.64) and that his daughter “…t’incur[ed] a general mock,” (1.2.70) by “run[ning] from her guardage to the sooty bosom.” (1.2.71) In other words, Brabantio is saying that he is in disbelief as to why Desdemona would marry a Moor when her socioeconomic status was so much higher. As a result of being treated as an inferior due to skin colour, Othello puts more weight on honour and reputation. Since his high ranking position in the army set him apart from other Moors, he uses it as compensation towards many aspects of his life such as marriage. For example, Othello associates the “…services which [he] has done the seignniory” (1.2.17) to Brabantio’s criticisms about him. Othello knows that his position holds power, and he is able to confidently articulate why he is suitable candidate to marry Desdemona. Unfortunately, Othello’s confidence does not last later in the play when his honour is suddenly threatened by presumptions that Desdemona is engaged in unfaithful acts. Soon thereafter, he loses his
In the tragedy Othello Shakespeare uses imagery to talk between the lines, to set moods, to create a more dramatic impact on the mind of the audience, and for other reasons. Let’s consider the types and impact of imagery.
The tragedy of Othello, the Moore of Venice. As it hath beene diuerse times acted at the Globe, and at the Black-Friars, by his Majesties servants. Written by William Shakespeare set in Venice. The plot is based on a story about two people who love each other dearly and the problems and conflicts they face from the start. The conflicts are, for the most part, tied in with racial issues and questions of loyalty.
Othello as a Tragic Character in William Shakespeare's Play The play Othello by William Shakespeare is about passion, treachery and revenge. Othello is a black, well-respected army general in Italy. He falls in love with the white daughter of Brabantio, a senator of Italy, called Desdemona and gets married to her without Brabantio's consent. Iago and Cassio are Othello's best friends, Iago turns out to be two-faced and evil towards Othello because he gave the job of lieutenant to Cassio when Iago thinks it should have been his.
The character of Lago in the Shakespeare play, Othello, is known as a villain. He’s known for letting the power of jealousy take over him and cloud his judgement. He has a sense of humor in some of his scenes. He is very good at telling lies and manipulating the other characters into getting them to trust him. He also can be perceived as being a coward. In the play we find out that jealousy and love can be a bad combination when it comes to the heart.
Shakespeare wrote different types of plays such as comedies, tragedies, and historical plays. The play Othello is one of his tragedies. It is about a character named Othello who is a Moor, in the service of Venice. Throughout the play Iago, Othello's lieutenant, manipulates Othello to believe that Desdemona, Othello's wife, is cheating on him. Various characters in the play Othello appear to be virtuous, upstanding individuals, but their actions reveal that they are not as they appear to be.