Religion as Depicted in Shakespeare´s Othello

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Recommended: The tension between the Catholic Church and the Protestant one during the Elizabethan era

During the 1600’s (Elizabethan), in which Othello was published, the philosophies of religion were a dominant feature in literature. Religion was also a highly domineering facet of Elizabethan Literature, due to the influence of the protestant church and reigning monarch at the time. Religion is arguably explored as being painful and harrowing, which is debatably exemplified in Othello during his tribulations. Furthermore “The Monk”, being written in 1796, the ideology of religion was a reoccurring aspect of literature. However, Lewis adds elements of Eros and lust, entwining it with the concept of romanticism, arguably challenging the capability of man in maintaining the dogma of Christianity. More on, “Oranges aren’t the only fruit”, which was written during the contemporary period, arguably challenges the ideology of Christianity in its entirety. It can be regarded as exploring human natures inability in conforming to religion, therefore resulting in sense of oppression and arguably failure of self.
Shakespeare uses Othello in order to convey the difficulties individuals face when interpreting the teachings of religion. These ingrained thoughts form the basis of Othello’s behaviour, thus enabling Iago to use varying elements of deception, Shakespeare utilising Iago as a catalyst thus furthering the plot of the play. Othello elevates himself into the role of judge and jury concerning the accusations made against Desdemona. He declares “if you bethink yourself of any crime unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace, solicit for it straight”. The assonance of ‘if you bethink yourself’ creates an interrogative tone with the power being placed on the personal pronouns to show guilt. This is combined with sibilance when Othello de...

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....org/faith.php
Wikipedia the free Encyclopaedia (2014) “Othello” [online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Othello
SparkNotes Editors (2014) “Oranges are not the only fruit” [online] Available at: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/oranges/
John R. Lenz (1996) Why I Am Not A Christian [online] Available at: http://www.users.drew.edu/~jlenz/whynot.html
Prometheus Books (1986) God and Religion [online] Available at: http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Bertrand_Russell/God_Religion.html
Wikipedia the free Encyclopaedia (2003) Bertrand Russell [online] Available at: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bertrand_Russell
Wikipedia the free Encyclopaedia (2001) Christianity [online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, Crown bibles (2001) Being A Man [online] Available at: http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_a_man

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