...Tragedy in Othello The play Othello written by William Shakespeare in classical terms is considered a tragedy because of its tragic elements which Iago is the main tragic element. He is an antagonist and involute character that plans to ruin Othello and the downfall of a great hero due his tragic imperfection. The play has plenty of deaths that happen through the story. In the play Othello, Desdemona, Othello, Roderigo and Emilia have horrible and tragic endings. Iago who is the person who is the cause of this tragedy committed all this for revenge on Othello. In Act V scene II Lodovico expresses this to Iago “ O Spartan dog, more fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea, look on the tragic loading of this bed. This is thy work. The object poisons sight, let it be hid..” (V .ii.330-334) Lodovico feels and anger and is disgusted towards Iago for being a manipulator and causing all the deaths....
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...person to work harder for what they want. Unfortunately, the acts of jealousy in Othello are not good and result in death. After examining jealousy in Othello, it is clear that jealousy ruins relationships and in some cases, jealousy is only satisfied by destroying others. Iago and Cassio are friends before all of the drama of being picked for lieutenant happens. Iago believes that he, himself, is a very good soldier and he should be chosen as Othello’s lieutenant. However, when Cassio gets chosen as Othello’s lieutenant, Iago becomes angry and jealous. Therefore, he wants to sabotage and destroy Cassio so that he can take his position. Iago is...
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...playwrights of all time. Macbeth and Othello are two of Shakespeare’s most popular dramas still to this day. Like all Shakespearean heroes, Othello and Macbeth possess a tragic flaw that eventually leads to their downfall. Othello kills out of jealousy, while Macbeth kills out of ambition. In both of these dramas, Othello and Macbeth possess human characteristics that drive them to commit evil acts. Although their tragic flaws are entirely different, they share in remorse for their actions, which allows the audience to sympathize with them. In the story of Othello, Shakespeare portrays a tale of how a man’s trust is betrayed, ultimately leading to a tragic ending. Othello, the main character, is a...
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...Jialu ENG 2043 W1 Professor Sharon Wang Final Paper The Tragic Hero Othello “Othello” is one of the four Shakespeare’s famous tragedies. It is also the name of the leading character. Shakespeare makes this character vivid through depicting what he says and does, and impresses audiences with his extremely tragic ending. There is no doubt that Othello is a tragic hero. At the beginning of the play, he was a brilliant military commander who beat a large number of enemies. He even married Desdemona, a beautiful white woman. He was a respected war hero and a loving husband. He was so successful. However, at the end of the play, due to his tragic flaws, he became an irrational murderer full of jealousy and killed his wife and himself. In the paper, I mainly analyze how Othello became a tragic hero thanks to his internal imperfections and how he conformed to Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. According to Aristotle’s definition, a tragic hero must occupy a high position and a noble stature. Othello met this part well. At the beginning of the play, Othello was a military general, a high status in the Venetian society. What’s more, many details of the play indicate that Othello was respected by most characters. For example, the Duke of Venice referred Othello as “Valiant Othello”. Montano called Othello as “brave Othello”. Even a herald praiseed Othello and said “our noble and valiant general”. Venetians relied on Othello because of his excellent military capabilities...
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...humiliation. This paper looks on jealousy as a main theme in different sectors, which are, the Bible, a film written by William Shakespeare, and a visual art drawn by Edward Munch. The paper aims to explore different areas in which the characters portray jealousy, the reasons behind this feeling and what impact the feeling has brought to the characters directly involved. Narrowing down Cain and able in the book of Genesis, the soldiers in the Othello film and the two men in the green room, this essay will explain how the different characters of different times and different settings relate to each and how jealousy makes their stories correlate with one another. It will finally analyze what impact or effectiveness jealousy has on them. To begin with, Cain and Abel were the sons of the first human beings on earth and related to each other as brothers. Cain being the first-born engaged and interested himself in farming and working on the soil while his brother Abel worked as a shepherd who kept flocks of sheep. During the time of the offering, Cain offered the fruits of his harvested crops to God while Abel offered a sacrifice of the fat portions of his flock. In their offering, God favored Abel’s offering more than Cain’s offers, and hence, he became angry and was jealous of his brother. Cain’s jealousy increased immensely after God asked of his anger and told him to do right. At this point, Cain called Abel out to the field as an excuse and killed him. The Othello play begins...
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...Senoria Mitchell Timothy Crowley ENG 315 April 29, 2015 Essay 2: The Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice William Shakespeare’s play entitled Othello contained many striking scenes that contributed to the play’s climax and its relevance as a whole. The climax was Othello killing his wife over his jealousy. Othello’s jealousy stemmed in part from his own insecurities and also from Iago continuing to plant more doubt in him. These things collectively caused Othello to murder his wife, Desdemona. To get Othello to the point of murdering someone he loved so dearly, Iago conjured up accusations of infidelity against Desdemona. Certain scenes play different roles in leading up to Desdemona’s death. This paper will discuss the scenes and prove that they directly lead to the death of Desdemona. In act 5 Scene 2, Othello commits murder against his wife Desdemona as part of a bond he made with Iago, the deal was that Iago would kill Cassio and then Othello in turn would have to murder Desdemona. In this scene, Othello has an intimate conversation with himself and then speaks to his wife when she awakes. With himself, he talks about how fair and pure she looks. She is beautiful and seemingly untainted to him he is hesitant to kill her. He talks to her about praying that Heaven have mercy on her soul for her sins. He does not want to kill her soul as well as her body. It is obvious that he does not want to do anything to hurt Desdemona at all, but he feels that it is his duty as an...
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...Othello Research Paper Othello is quite an interesting tragedy; full of deception. The Moor, also known s Othello is the undisputed “hero” of our story; but his heroics are no match for the sly antagonism of the character Iago. Iago is a bitter, crafty mind that uses his political prowess and friendly swagger to deceive his victims. Desdemona has her innocence used against her and exposed for a weakness as she is blinded by what’s right in front of her. The Moor, also known as Othello is the undisputed “hero” of our story; but his heroics are no match for the sly antagonism of the character Iago. Othello isn’t our everyday hero; seeing that there aren’t too many black heroes in the seventeenth century; especially in Venice. I feel as though Othello could have done very little as a human being to avoid his fate. When Iago began to manipulate the mind of Othello in Act 3, we finally begin to see the weakness in our “hero”. Othello being the hero and man that he is, we as an audience don’t expect him to be so weak minded in such a fixable situation. This brings thoughts to my mind about how blind love can make people in this world. Sometimes we fall so in love that we can’t see the very thing that stands in the way of our love growing. Being blinded by love doesn’t always end “happily ever after”, sometimes the worst possible thing could happen when you’re in the way of a mad ”blind” man that’s carrying a sword. So if I could ask first time readers of this story a question...
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...RESEARCH PAPER INSTRUCTIONS In Module/Week 8, you will write a 1500-words (about 5–7-pages) essay that addresses one of the plays from the Drama Unit. A minimum of six citations, including the primary source and at least five secondary scholarly sources, is required for this assignment. Before you begin writing the essay, carefully read the guidelines for developing your paper topic that are given below. Review the research paper Grading Rubric to see how your submission will be graded. Gather all of your information, plan the direction of your essay, and organize your ideas by developing a one-page thesis statement, outline, draft, and bibliography for your research paper. Format the thesis statement and the outline in a single Word document using MLA, APA, or Turabian style (whichever corresponds to your degree program). You have the opportunity to receive helpful instructor feedback if you submit your thesis, outline, draft, and bibliography by the end of Module/Week 7. The research paper is due by the end of Module/Week 8, and should include a title page, thesis statement, and outline, followed by the research essay itself and your correctly documented sources page. Guidelines for Developing Your Paper Topic Chapters 40 and 41 provide helpful pointers for writing about plays and for developing research papers. Be sure to review both chapters thoroughly before you begin doing any further work for this assignment. Choose one of the prompts below to address...
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...Lord Of The Flies And Othello Comparison Essay, Research Paper Lord of the Flies and Othello Comparison The age-old theme of good versus evil is presented in both William Golding s Lord of the Flies (LOTF), and William Shakespeare s Othello. The characters are used to show the battle between the two. Simon and Desdemona who represent purity and embody an innate goodness are challenged by many characters that do not possess the same holy qualities- who have actually subsided to the evil that is, in every way, their opposite. Jack and Iago represent the evil in the novels. Unfortunately in both pieces we see the loss of life for the pure characters through the clutches of evil. The evil does not necessarily win, as both characters maintain their standings as upright and completely pure individuals, even in their brutal murders. Simon and Desdemona clearly represent all that is good in the world. The characters are portrayed by the authors to be very understanding and compassionate individuals. Desdemona expresses in her language and actions, an innocent, unselfish love and concern for others. This is evident when Desdemona makes pleas on behalf Cassio for Othello s forgiveness, and in her inability to comprehend a woman s desire to cheat. Cassio has asked Desdemona to make a plea to Othello for his return to office. Desdemona, being the compassionate woman that she is asks Othello the first chance she gets, Good my lord, If I have any grace or power to move you,...
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...Othello Essay: Revenge Othello is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is a tragedy taking place during the sixteenth century, during the wars between Turkey and Venice. This play consists of two protagonists, General Othello and Iago. Othello’s true love is Desdemona. In spite of their differences in race and familiarity they marry and decide to spend the rest of their lives faithful and committed to each other. With a love so strong one would think that nothing could ever come between them but this is false. When Othello fails to give Iago the promotion to lieutenant, He begins to seek revenge. The play becomes a tragedy due to the results of Iago’s revenge on Othello. Iago wishes to destroy Othello by plotting against him and using the ones close to him. Iago’s reasoning and motivations were never lucid but his desire for destruction and the pleasure he found in manipulating others were the driven factors of his revenge. Iago introduces to the audience his scheme for revenge in one of his first soliloquies, in Act I; Scene III. Iago’s reasoning for this evil plan started off as wanting revenge on Othello for choosing Cassio for the promotion instead of him. In another one of Iago’s soliloquies he asserts that he believes his wife Emelia is having an affair with Othello and He says, “…and nothing can or shall content my soul/ till I am evened with him, wife for wife” (Shakespeare II, i, 302-303). This is used as further motivation for Iago to destroy Othello despite...
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...HOW TO TEACH “OTHELLO” (The play by William Shakespear’s) I. INTRODUCTION Othello, like all of Shakespeare’s plays, particularly the tragedies, is complex and subtly nuanced. Through its complexitiesand subtleties, Shakespeare makes us care about the characters who people this story. We understand their weaknesses and their strengths, their passions and their nobility. In our engagement in their lives and our pondering over what has gone wrong and why, we are given the opportunity to analyze human life both in the abstract and in the particular of our own lives. Shakespeare’s ability to involve us in the lives and fortunes of his characters is one of the best reasons for reading and teaching Othello. Othello has particular gifts to offer to teenagers. It is a play about passion and reason. Intense feelings are exhibited here:love, hate, jealousy, envy, even lust. Teenagers struggling with their own passions can empathize with both Roderigo’s and Othello’s plight. It is also a play that examines, as do Shakespeare’s other works, human relationships and interactions. For teenagers in the first rush of attempting to understand how romantic relationships work and when and why they might fail, this text provides much to ponder. In addition, studying the play gives young people a rich literary vehicle for developing their critical thinking and analytical reading skills. The closer they examine this work, the richer they find it. II. SUMMARY OF THE PLAY The play is set...
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...University of Delhi South Campus Department Of English Term Paper By: Nakhat Perveen M.A. Previous 1st Sem ARSD College, UDSC Mentor: Christel Rashmi Devadawson SHAKESPEARE IN BOLLYWOOD Nakhat Perveen William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist whose work is liked by all film-maker to bring down on screen. According to Robert Hamilton Ball, Shakespeare’s dramas were considered ideal material for cinema in the early 20th century because the presence of Shakespeare on film raised the contemporary estimation of film. Almost all of his works have been adapted on screen in Hollywood and all other film industries. Hollywood has produced around 300 movies based on Shakespeare’s plays and characters. Films based on tragedies like Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet etc., have got very good response by the audience on the silver screen. In Bollywood also many directors adopted the work of Shakespeare. But Vishal Bhardwaj through his films showed that he is the true fan of Shakespeare and knows well how to do justice with the work of such a big writer on silver screen. His film Maqbool (2003) based on Macbeth, and Omkara (2006) based on Othello left very remarkable impression on audience’s hearts. Maqbool had its North American premiere at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival. Though the film failed to entice much of an audience during...
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...Thematic Paper William Shakespeare was born in 1564 to a successful middle-class glove-maker in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Around 1590 he left his family behind and traveled to London to work as an actor and playwright. Among his play was Othello which is the second most popular Shakespeare play. Othello is a tragedy written by Shakespeare between 1601 and 1604. The main character of this play is Othello who is frame by Iago to believe that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello is a Moorish general in the service of Venice. He was blinded by Iago to seek revenge against his wife and his lieutenant. The theme revenge is portrayed throughout the whole play. Such evil act is plotted and executed by the character Iago. He is focused on destroying Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant and does not care who will get hurt in the process of his vengeance. Iago main target was Othello; he was determined to take revenge against Othello by using numerous characters throughout the play. The first target was Barbantino Desdemona father followed by, Roderigo, Cassio and his wife Emilia. Revenge was the driven force that drove Iago to plot and carefully executes the tragic that ended with Othello and Desdemona life. Revenge is an unceasing theme throughout the play Othello. Iago’s character was seeking revenge against Othello. He is determined to fulfill his plans despite of who will get hurt or involve. Iago vengeance is a result of Othello Overseen...
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...Literature Paper 3: Othello How are conflicts between the individual and society presented in the play, Othello? In drama terms, the definition of conflict is the opposition between characters or forces that motivates or structure the action of the plot. In Othello, the conflicts between the individual and society are manifested through the conflicts between friends and enemies, Othello’s inner conflict, cultural and racial disparities which lead to racial discrimination. In this play, society precedence over the individual as the society somehow has forces to control the individual. takes Shakespeare uses techniques such as contrast, soliloquys, dramatic irony, syntax rhythm to achieve this. As a foreigner, Othello is an individual who is discriminated by the society he lives in which is dominated by white Venetians. Though he is a respectable general, he is still regarded as an outsider. In the beginning of the play, Iago presents Othello as a misfit in Venetian society because of different race and skin tone. This is seen through the snide remarks about Othello. “…an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe…” (1.1.88-89) This dramatic incongruity between Othello as the “old black ram” and Desdemona as the “white ewe” emphasises the Othello’s otherness. Through the antithesis-the contrasting light and dark imagery-we see the racial conflict between Othello (individual) and the Venetian society. The conflict between Othello and Brabantio is a microcosm of the conflict...
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...Othello “The Moor” vs. “Honest” Iago Characters within a story are meant to have their own tale, just as the characters in one’s lives have their own stories of how they came to be. William Shakespeare, the modern father of the Drama, understood this concept all too well when developing his complex, yet relatable characters. In his master works Othello, each character has their socially impacting story line with their own effect on the overall plotline that help shape the complex Venetian society in which the play is set. With their friendship at the root of evil deeds, Othello and Iago help define the writing in the play: love for one self before that of a friend. With Othello’s honest friendship, and Iago’s piercing betrayal, they help mold the storyline told in this Venetian world. With his triumph on the battlefield, Othello is sought after by Dukes and Senator, and well admired and respected within the Venetian community. He is considered an outsider from his peers, and the community based on his African descent. All the success came at the price of Othello spending his childhood under slavery, then joining the military at a young age in order to gain his presence within society. Shakespeare exemplifies this quality by showing a separation from the other characters, and usually referring to Othello in racial slurs such as “the Moor”, and references to his exotic body such as “the thick-lips” and “black.” All these strategies amplify the feeling throughout the play that...
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