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The character analysis of othello
Character analysis in the play othello
Strengths and weaknesses of Iago's character
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Essentially, a troubled mind is indicative of distress and one’s anger is directed at others for not understanding their situation (“Troubled”). In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, there is emphasis on the depiction of troubled minds between main characters, Othello and Iago, and their actions as a result of their distress. The poems by Carol Ann Duffy such as “Education for Leisure” encompasses the perspective of a condescending speaker, while “Stealing” portrays a fellow seeking companionship. Essentially, examining the writer’s depiction of the speakers in the poems, Othello and Iago, it can be seen that that one’s attitude towards society can cause distress emotionally, physically or mentally. This can be observed through their …show more content…
The diction suggests the high merit of the speaker holds and how they feel respectable. The writer further emphasises how the speaker kills fish and other small animals for his pleasure and stops and says “I see that it is good” (14). This biblical allusion goes back to God admiring his creation of the world and all those that live upon it. He justifies the extent of his actions by comparing it to Gods own actions. His troubled mind causes distress when he has physical, violent power over small animals, and eventually, is bold enough to move onto humans, as the writer ends the poem with “I touch your arm”(24). The writer uses this short statement directed to the readers, to emanate his desire to kill, understand his controlling nature and the danger because he was ignored by …show more content…
Othello is a black general living in a predominantly Caucasian society in Venice. Othello knows that without his “feats of broil and battle” (I.iii.87) he would not be recognized. Through alliteration of “b” the writer emphasises that Othello uses these accolades of battle to maintain and improve his favorable standing. Othello feels self-conscious and often paranoid without his rank as general. As a result, Iago is able to manipulate him to believe that Desdemona is committing adultery. Iago plans “out of her own goodness make the net/That shall enmesh them all” (II.iii.339-340) by revealing to Othello the notion that a lovely, young woman like Desdemona could never be faithful to old, black man like Othello. Othello’s fear of betrayal stems not from his love for Desdemona, but from his anger at the idea of being a cuckold and damaging the reputation that he has worked so hard to obtain. In act three, Othello in spite decides: “Haply, for I am black” (III.iii.265-267 ) but “I am abused; and my relief/Must be to loathe her” (III.iii.268-270). He believes that true love requires trust, and Othello’s insecurities prevent such an idea from ever being a real life
The audience at this point know nothing of Othello that is gained by their own opinion, instead we are lead to believe from Iago’s race related description that Othello is a threatening and evil moor, whose beastial sexual appetite, conveyed by Iago’s cries to Brabantio, telling him that ‘an old black ram is tupping’ his ‘white ewe’ (1.1.89), is something of a rapist. Iago’s coarse animal related language conveys Iago’s feelings against Othello’s marriage in a much more pronounced way. The image of an ‘old black ram’ gives the audience nothing but negative images of Othello, especially when this ‘old black ram’ is being associated with the innocence of a ‘white ewe’. Iago then associates Othello with the image of ‘the devil’ (1.1.92) because of Othello’s colour, Iago warns Brabantio that he has ‘lost half [his] soul’ now that Desdemona is married to Othello. Iago here emphasises the biracial nature of the marriage, already showing his ability to manipulate people, in this case he is manipulating Brabantio, to believe in Iago’s own opinions and in theory to eliminate all thoughts that Brabantio might of had of his own about the marriage.
“Insecurity kills all that is beautiful” in Shakespeare’s Othellothe tragedy clearly testifies to this theme as it tells the story of marriage of beauty and passion that turns to ashes all due to insecurity. More specifically, the story of Othello, a successful Black Mauritanian general of the Venetian army, tells of an interracial marriage to a White upper middle class Venetian wife, Desdemona, who is determined to make their love eternal. However, due to Othello’s decision to appoint Michael Cassio over his trusted ensign Iago, Iago tells Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with the newly appointed white lieutenant, Cassio. In response, Othello kills Desdemona by smothering her with a pillow. Once finding out that Iago made the whole story up, Othello kills himself out of guilt and honor. Many may wonder what was the cause of Othello’s core problems that commenced his demise to kill his love and then take his own life. Jealousy, such as a man losing a lover to another man, can originate from deep insecurities about maintaining honor and a sense of manhood. For example, Othello’s conflict
Shakespeare's Use of Language to Convey Othello's State of Mind. Iago's manipulative ways have Othello convinced that Desdemona has. deceived him. "Villain be sure thou prove my love a whore."
In a play written by William Shakespeare called “The Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice” during 1601 and 1604. It all started out with a beautiful Venetian lady named Desdemona who married The Moor of Venice Othello without her overprotective and clueless father Brabantio, unaware. In Act 1 Sn3 they questioned and held a meeting with the two lovebirds. Being from the time period where interracial relationships were considered as abnormal and often questioned. When a beautiful white lady ends up with black Moor ignorance and trust plays a crucial role. Brabantio shows his disapproval of the marriage as they were both questioned about the reason why he or she would fall in love with such person. His ignorant attitude and harsh words used to describe the relationship between the two were hateful.
Othello: The Moor of Venice is probably Shakespeare's most controversial play. Throughout this work, there is a clear theme of racism, a racism that has become commonplace in Venetian society which rejects the marriage of Othello and Desdemona as anathema. The text expresses racism throughout the play within the language transaction of the dialogue to question the societal ethos established by Othello, thereby making him nothing less than a cultural "other." Furthermore, the character of Desdemona is displayed as mad, or out of her wits, for marrying such an "other," and the audience sees her slip from an angelic state of purity to that of a tainted character. Also, the menacing Iago, a mastermind of deviant rhetoric, is able to play Othello and Desdemona against one another until their marriage fails, while at the same time destroying his adversary and friend, Cassio. Thus Iago has a specific agenda, not only to get back at Othello for choosing Cassio instead of him, but also to make Cassio the victim of his plan to destroy the forbidden marriage referred to by Brabantio as a "treason of the blood" (1.2.166-167). Essentially, Iago is a representative of the white race, a pre-Nazi figure who tries to inform the public of the impurity of Othello and Desdemona's marriage. He demonstrates how this miscegenation is threatening to the existing social order. Thus, through analysis of racism, the play represents the hatred possessed by mankind -- a hate so strong that society sees the mixing with an "other" to be a curse to humanity and a terrible threat to Aryan culture.
In The Tragedy of Othello, William Shakespeare tells the tale of the “noble Moor” whose honor and innocence bring about his downfall. Shakespeare writes of the power of jealousy, and the art of masterful deception and trickery. The story primarily takes place in Cyprus, during a war between the people of Venice and the invading Turks. In this play Shakespeare shows the feelings of Othello’s embittered right-hand man of, Iago, who feels he is passed over for a promotion and swears his revenge. He proceeds to manipulate his friends, enemies, and family into doing his bidding without any of them ever realizing his ultimate goal. He makes Othello believe that his new wife, the innocent Desdemona, is committing adultery with his newly promoted officer Michael Cassio. After this seed of jealousy has been planted, Othello’s mind takes its course in determining the true outcome, with a little more nudging from Iago. The course of action he proceeds to follow is one that not only ends his own life, but also the life of his wife and others. In Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Othello, Othello is a man who is still truly honorable, despite the course of action he takes to resolve his perceived problem.
From this point on, Othello insecurity manifests into a seemingly irrational fear of being cuckolded, and his self-perceived worth diminishes exponentially. Othello comments on the likelihood of Desdemona cheating, by explaining how it may be “for [he is] black / And have not those soft parts of conversation / That chamberers have…” (3.3.280-282) Othello’s frustration with the threat of being cuckolded puts strain on his relationship with Desdemona, and she quickly becomes a victim of domestic abuse. For example, Othello acts as an interrogator, demanding to see the handkerchief which he gave her that symbolizes faithfulness and commitment towards Othello. (Quotation) When she is unable to produce their symbol of trust, Othello’s anger manifests inside him. The audience is shown a stark contrast to Othello’s typically cool, collected and composted nature. This abrupt and irrational change in behaviour is emphasized when Othello strikes Desdemona in front of Lordovico, (4.1.245) Othello’s
posses such a beautiful wife from a good home, hence decided to find every way to break the couple’s marriage. Iago started putting fear in the senator about Othello’s personality since he is a black man; Sex in marriage is a good thing which brings pleasure to both couples but on the part of Othello, Iago made sex look like a crime and pointed it out to Barbantio that sexually Othello is going to use his daughter badly and after the sex her daughter cannot look at the face of Othello. He went on using the nature of sex to threaten the heart of Barbantio. According to Iago since Desdemona has been brought up in a way that she is afraid of foreigners precisely blacks, how come Desdemona is he going to have sex with someone whom she is frightened
In the tragedy Othello, Shakespeare creates a mood that challenges the way a person sees his or her self and the world. Subjects like racism, sexism, love, hate, jealously, pride, and trickery are thoroughly developed in the play of Othello to enable the audience to view the characters and also themselves. The Shakespearean tragedy of Othello was written in a time of great racial tensions in England. According to Eldred Jones, in 1600 just three years before Othello was written, Queen Elizabeth proclaimed an Edict for the Transportation of all "negars and blackmoores" out of the country ("Othello- An Interpretation" Critical Essays 39). It is in this atmosphere that Shakespeare began the masterpiece of Othello, a drama about a noble black Arab general, Othello, who falls in love with and marries, Desdemona, a young white daughter of a senator. From the above knowledge one may conclude that Shakespeare wrote Othello to express that all people, of all ethnicity, are basically the same in human nature. Shakespeare borrowed the idea of Othello from an Italian love story by Giraldi Cinthio. However, Shakespeare focuses more on the differences in color and age between Othello and Desdemona than Cinthio. Shakespeare does this to escalate Othello’s isolation from the rest of Venetian society and to display Othello’s vulnerability due to his color. In the tragedy not only is Othello susceptible to weaknesses but so is every major character . The tragedy reminds humans that even one’s good nature can be taken advantage of for the worse. The drama Othello expresses, through relationships and emotional attitudes, a theme that all humans are vulnerable to destruction even if they are in positions of power and glory.
Othello, the black eponymous protagonist in the dramatic script, is heavily marginalised due to his race, even though he has ascended through the ranks of the Venetian army. In his profession, he has an abundance of power whereas he has seldom power in his private or social life. A large group of Venetians are racist about Othello referring to him as a “thing” with “thick lips” and a “sooty bosom”, connoting to the reality that racism exists and the white people have power over black people (specifically in this case). Iago, a white Venetian and Othello’s good friend, clearly has power over Othello. This is reinforced as he manipulates his emotions by implanting thoughts engulfed of jealousy: “I cannot think it/That he would steal away so guilty-like/Seeing you coming”, “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady/Know of your love?” and “She did deceive her father marrying you”. Each of these quotes connotes to Desdemona being promiscuous, therefore causing Othello to become jealous. Given that Othello was referred to as an “old black ram” and a “devil” as well as allowing himself to be manipulated clearly substantiates that Iago has power over Othello, therefore has an unequal power
Othello is a man who comes from a hard life. In the time period the play is set in, racism is common and Othello is a target for it due to his dark skin. He fought in many battles and was put into slavery for a time. Now he is a high ranking General in the army. Othello, for all that he has been through, is also kind, caring, and trusting of those close to him. He cares and trusts his comrades and is loving and kind to his wife, Desdemona. Othello is also r...
The role of jealousy, love and betrayal play a major role in The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. The entire play is based on the human interactions of the characters as related to Othello and Desdemona. The characters’ personalities, their social status, and their relationships to each other control the story line and their fate in the play. Othello is portrayed early in the play as an outsider with animalistic characteristics by Iago and Roderigo because of jealousy. “Your heart is burst; and have lost half of your soul/Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/Is tupping your white ewe”.(531) Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, accuses Othello of using witch craft on his daughter. “If she in chains of magic were not bound/ Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy/ So opposite to marriage that she shunned…” (535) This point is important because Othello must defend himself not only to Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, but to the entire Venetian Senate. “And till she come, as truly as to heaven,/ I do confess the vices of my blood./ So justly to your grave ears I’ll present/ How I did thrive in this fair lady’s love, / And she in mine.” (539) Othello proves himself to be an intellectual hero early in the play. He has worked hard to gain respectability and power, but because he has a different background, is from another country, is dark-skinned and is older than Desdemona, he becomes jealous very quickly of Cassio. Cassio is from the same social class, is compatible with Desdemona and is a young handsome man. Iago has also convinced Cassio to seek favor with Desdemo...
However, Othello was not the average Moor of the time. Othello was very civilized, educated, and on top of that he was a distinguished war hero. He was very known for his accomplishments on the battlefield and had a reputation for being a great leader. There are two things that cause Othellos repetition to change. When Othello crosses the line and not only proclaims his love for, but marrys Desdamona, a white woman, which causes an upset.When Brabantio, Desdemona father, finds out about his Daughter he is outraged. “Oh thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter? Damned as thou art, thou has enchanted her.” Shakespeare 889. When Rodrigro, who is blindly in love with Desdamon, finds out he is enraged. A little before that, Othello promoted his friend Cassio to the second man in power next to himself, his other friend Iago became outstandingly jealous. After this, Iaggo plans to have revenge against Othello. He first tries to help Rodregro ruin Othellos relationship with Desdamona by highlighting the racial differences. When this doesn't go as well he plans to frame Cassio into looking like he has been having sexual encounters with Desdamona. It works and results in the death of Cassio, Desdamona, and
To begin with, Othello’s race and the racism around him ruined his marriage with Desdemona. Othello and Desdemona made a good couple, but you know what they say, all good things must come to an end. Almost everybody had a problem with their relationship. In that time, interracial relationships and marriage was not allowed. While Brabantio (Desdemona’s father) was sleeping, Iago and Roderigo woke him up saying that Othello was having sex with his daughter Desdemona at that very moment (Shake...
A society consists of different cultures with people of diverse looks, values, and beliefs. In a world with one predominant culture, those perceived as different from the norm are associated with negative images, treated inferior to the superior culture. The negative images associated with color, specifically blackness, has a detrimental effect on the victims who are racially stereotyped. The character of Othello is a unique character in English literature, because unlike the other members of society, Othello was an outsider in Venice, a black man living in a white world, marrying a white woman, and leading white men as a soldier. Othello is persuaded that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him leading him to