...Ryan Perrin Research Essay 12/12/13 Othello William Shakespeare’s Othello could be viewed as an allegory that represents the frailty of human reason and the ease as to which a person can manipulate rational thought through the utilization of skillful rhetoric and deception. In the essay Allegory and Irony in ‘Othello’ by Antoinette B. Dauber, she says “he [Shakespeare] is not committed to the maintenance of allegory, and so he freely dramatizes the internal weaknesses and external onslaughts that lead to its destruction.” The readers, or viewers of the play, then are meant to be able to apply the stories moral problems to everyday situations and realize the harm that can be done by using rhetoric and deception to manipulate others. Rhetoric, when used as a tool of deception, can lead others to come to “reasonable conclusions,” yet these conclusions may be based upon irrational reasons and emotion; which in turn makes such a conclusion irrational. In reality these irrational reasons are only as rational as a persuader can convince a person to believe. In Othello, Shakespeare shows that even in the minds of people that are most confident of themselves, there is a self-doubt that can be increasingly apparent by very simple means of ignition. Iago ignites, or maybe even re-ignites this self-doubt by leading Othello to believe that Desdemona would prefer Cassio over him, which could cause Othello to believe that he is not worthy of having Desdemona since he is black. This situation...
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...Project Othello, the Invisible Wound, To Kill a Mockingbird July 30th 2014 By Eileen Harford Everyone has had a time in their life when they have misjudged a situation. Whether it was assuming someone took your pencil when it is actually in behind you ear, or assuming which character is the killer in our favorite movie, we all have misjudgements all the time in our lives. When was the last time you have mistaken a situation? The theme of false judgement demonstrated in the play “Othello” by Shakespeare, the short story “The Invisible Wound” by Karoly Kisfaludi, and the film “To Kill a Mockingbird”. In these three storylines, the author exhibits the theme of false judgment through a character of innocence that is poorly misjudged and ends tragically for them. Othello accuses his wife, Desdemona of adultery, while the unnamed protagonist in “The Invisible Wound” also inaccurately assumes his wife is cheating. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the jury accuses Tom Robinson of a crime that he did not commit all because of the colour of his skin. Given the above, it is clear that these three story lines hold the same theme of an error in judgement occurring. Throughout the play, “Othello” by William Shakespeare, a few of the characters are condemned on untruthful information. Desdemona and Cassio are victims of poor judgement. Accusations towards Desdemona seem to be the most prominent to any reader – which all begin when Othello falls to Iago’s manipulation that causes Othello to poorly...
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...Corley ENG3U - 1 9 March 2016 End Goal of Writing Othello When studying Othello, no analyst or reader can deny that the masterpiece written by Shakespeare is truly remarkable. However, there is debate as to whether the play was written to tell a story about a war hero who ascends to the peak of Italian military ranks and fell off due to his insecurities, or for Shakespeare to present an allegory narrating the chaos in seventeenth century England. The assertion made declaring Othello to be an allegory is very compelling. Just like an artist chooses every stroke of their painting, in Othello, Shakespeare’s words are all determined very conscientiously. This could potentially mean he was crafting a perfect narration to provoke the leaders of his time about the imperfections of the society they live in. The underlying themes throughout the book are extremely plausible claims in order to draw a parallel to an allegory. The most profound theme in Othello is how love can present shameful aspects and hereby, make someone act irrationally. Reputation is a compelling reason for why Othello acts aberrantly. He is proud of the reputation and power he had works so diligently for, therefore, he was not going to let it crumble. Lastly, Othello was an African leader in the Italian military, which was particularly irregular in that era. This feeds into his profound insecurities because he is looked at as an outlier. Clearly, Shakespeare was using this to show how racism is distasteful and...
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...Racism in Othello Othello, by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that tells that story of what happens to a man named Othello after he marries a woman named Desdemona. Othello is a black man, known throughout the play as a Moor and he marries the daughter of a white Venetian Senator. One of the most critical themes of the play is race. While racism is a reoccurring theme throughout the play, the play itself is not racist. The main character is a black man and the evil villain is white. Shakespeare does not dumb down Othello just because he is black, but rather he portrays Othello as a well-liked, high ranking officer in the Venetian military. During the time that Shakespeare wrote Othello many people were racists and people of color where thought of as savage (Essay). Many people at that time would have felt that an interracial marriage was wrong. They would have not thought that Shakespeare’s writing was racist. The audience would be used to the type of racist language Shakespeare used (Blum). Shakespeare would not have been thought of as being racist. The play itself is not racist, but rather individual characters are either racist or not. The most racist character is Iago. Iago is considered “honest” when in reality he is a pure villain. The audience knows that Iago is not what he seems to be. He shares his plans for destroying Othello. Even though Iago is white, he plays the bad guy, while Othello is considered a good man. Iago hates Othello because he did...
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...English essay: How does Browning and Shakespeare present jealousy in the poem 'the laboratory' and 'Othello' Jealousy is described as someone who is showing envy usually of someone because of their achievements or advantages, jealousy plays a major role in both Othello and the laboratory. throughout the both of them jealousy is used for destructive purposes only. as an audience we are led to feel that both jealousies are motivated not by hatred but by the passion for one another, crazy as that may seem. Shakespeare uses jealousy as a central theme throughout the play, without this aggressive and destructive emotion, there would be no solid plot. Shakespeare often refers to jealousy as a devouring emotion "Beware, my lord of jealousy! it is the green eyed monster which doth mock, the meat it feeds on" this fits extremely well with Iago's description of Othello being "beaten up with passion". This suggests exactly how strong Othello's monumental jealousy really is, once Othello becomes aware that his wife is unfaithful, Iago continues to feed his jealousy which causes Othello to indeed behave like a monster. however, its dramatic irony that Iago says this to Othello. the audience knows that Iago is perhaps the one "eaten up" with jealousy and Othello is none the wiser he holds; the form of personal and professional jealousy. The jealousy that is portrayed in 'Othello' is very similar to the one portrayed in Browning's poem The Laboratory, it explores the theme of relationship...
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...Kyle Randall ENGL 1302 03 March 23, 2014 Othello Essay Iago from Othello the Play The play Othello by William Shakespeare is a play all about deception, betrayal, and lying. It starts out with two men talk one is Iago, and he seems to be jealous of one of his fellow Italian country men, Othello. Othello just got a military promotion that Iago felt he deserved or at least wanted. Recently Othello just secretly married a senator’s daughter, so the man and Iago are plotting on how to get him in trouble for this. It starts to make the reader wonder is Iago evil. It turns out throughout the rest of the story he makes everybody turn on their own friends and loved ones, to the point they kill each other, even convincing Othello to kill his new wife. So it makes me come to the conclusion Iago is most definitely evil, not only that he is knifing, and very persuasive. This is how evil he is, Othello gave his new wife this handkerchief, and it is supposed to be their handkerchief of love. Iago uses this sacred madrigal token, to turn Othello against his wife. By planting it in one of Othello’s friend’s quarters. Once Iago persuades Othello to go in the other mans quarters he sees it and becomes very angry, and jealous thinking the two have slept together. Iago convinces Othello he must kill his own wife for cheating on him. So eventually Othello does the deed and kills his own wife. This scene shows exactly how evil Iago is, he has enough evil in his heart to turn a lover against...
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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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... Analytical Essay Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, he wrote this masterpiece in 1603. The play mainly revolves around four central characters: Othello, the Moorish general in the Venetian army; his wife, Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio and his ancient, Iago. In this play, by not showing Othello at the beginning of the first scene, Shakespeare creates an uncomfortable feeling to the story. Furthermore, he foreshadows the conflicts to come later in the plot. One of the conflicts is Iago becoming the archetypal evil villain who ruins Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Iago manipulates Othello’s weakness his jealousy; Iago hates and does not respect women which is one of the main reason of his plan for revenge against Othello. Firstly, Iago knows how to observe people and uses human psychology to manipulate people’s minds. Iago manipulates Othello’s weaknesses which make Othello feels insecure. For example, after Cassio looks for help with Desdemona, Iago gets a golden chance to talk to Othello in private. Iago starts to plant the seed of jealousy in Othello concerning Desdemona and Cassio. Iago tells Othello to “beware …of jealousy” (III/III/l.195) which makes Othello nervous and start to suspect that Desdemona is cheating on him. Moreover, Iago warns Othello to “observe her well with Cassio.” (III/III/l.228) which causes Othello believes from the bottom of his heart that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him. Furthermore, he tricks Othello into believing...
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...basis? In Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello lives in a community where he is the only dark skinned individual. He believes he is inferior to his colleagues because of his complexion. Othello is eventually led to believe by Iago, Othello’s standard-bearer, that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with Cassio, a lieutenant under Othello's command. One can ask, is Othello’s love that feeble that he believes his wife is disloyal to him, especially after hearing the news from a third person? Othello’s insecurities regarding his place in Venetian society prevent him from loving Desdemona. He becomes unworthy of her love by satisfying his own self-fulfilling prophecy. This essay will look at how Othello constantly fears he will lose Desdemona because he thinks she is too good for him while also showing how his vulnerability allows Iago to plant thoughts about Desdemona’s perceived dishonesty. There is a common saying that “in order to love someone, you must love yourself.” Othello never claims he is worthy of Desdemona’s love and seems like he married her in order to move up in the social rankings. Othello, like most individuals during the time, believed that the greatness of a woman was correlated to how exceptional her husband can be. He is aware that many men were trying to make Desdemona their own which makes him nervous when she interacts with other males. Brabantio proclaims that Othello had used black magic in order to marry his daughter, to which Othello replies “[Desdemona]...
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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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...Othello: Tragic Hero? Michael Charles Robinson ENGL 102 October 17, 2011 Ms. Charity Givens Othello: Tragic Hero? I. Introduction Thesis statement A. Thesis Statement II. Brief overview of Othello III. Aristotle and Othello A. Peripeteia B. Hamartia C. Anagnorsis D. Catharsis IV. Othello a tragic hero? A. Evidence supporting B. Not supporting V. Brief overview of “O” A. Comparison to original VI. Conclusion THESIS STATEMENT: Othello is a tragic hero because he mostly satisfies Aristotle’s four requirements for a tragic hero: peripeteia, hamartia, anagnorsis, and catharsis. Othello: Tragic Hero? The tragic play Othello, written by William Shakespeare has caused constant dispute on whether the main character Othello can be considered as a tragic hero or not. Othello is a tragic hero because he mostly satisfies Aristotle’s four requirements for a tragic hero: peripeteia, hamartia, anagnorsis, and catharsis. The exploration of different aspects of the Othello character will give the readers of this essay insight regarding whether Othello is a...
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...Othello Essay English 30-1 2.Why does Othello not investigate Iago’s accusation? Why does Othello not seek his own proof of Desdemona Betrayal? “A true friend stabs you in the front."- Oscar Wilde A True Friend ? In the play Othello, by Shakespeare, Othello does not investigate Iago’s accusations of Desdemona. Othello has known Iago longer then Desdemona, in which it can be assumed that Othello has a great trust in Iago over his wife. This trust could be the devastation of Othello believing Iago word over his wife Desdemona when accused of being unfaithful with Cassio. Iago always shows Othello his trust by making Othello believe that he is there for him. Iago does not only play with Othello’s mind by talking to him and lying to him, but Iago also play’s with other’s characters minds too. Iago is always trying to gain Othello trust so that he seems to be there for him giving Othello the sense of being “best friends”. Iago’s conversations with Othello always make him think about what Desdemona and what could she possibly be doing, but Othello loves Desdemona way too much. There for Othello always believes her, which is why Iago has to try to show Othello that Desdemona is not to be trusted, he then manipulates Othello by making him think that Desdemona is being false to him with Cassio. This is when Othello asks Iago to have Emilia, Iago’s wife to be Desdemona’s servant to watch after her, Iago tells Othello not to worry about it. However, Iago is not only playing...
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...Yahaira Rosario Comp. II Othello Essay November 2, 2012 Old Black Ram Othello one of many of the great works of William Shakespeare and a very interesting piece of English literature considering it was written in the sixteenth century. It is the epic tale of a moor that is brought to Venice and serves as a general for the Italian army, though it is his private life away from worldly affairs which is much more interesting. Othello marries the daughter of a wealthy lord by the name of Brabantio a Venetian senator, and is living in a serene world of joy with his newly wed wife Desdemona. As far as he knows it is perfect until one of his officers by the name of Iago seeks to destroy him by placing false idea's about his wife and a fellow officer in his head slowly driving Othello insane and into a murderous and passionate rage. Othello is a very narrow minded and simple character. It is as a direct consequence of his inability to change that he is able to be so easily manipulated by Iago. At the beginning of the play Othello states, For since these arms of mine had seven years’ pith Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used Their dearest action in the tented field; And little of this great world can I speak More than pertains to feats of broil and battle. (1, 3, 83-87) Othello acknowledges his naivety and lack of knowledge of life. “My parts, my title, my perfect soul” (1, 2, 30). Othello states when Iago informs him that Brabantio is coming to confront him. Alongside...
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... Arthur Miller published an essay that gives a modern definition of what a tragedy is and lists the properties and characteristics that a play must contain to actually be considered a tragedy. Miller states that a play is recognized as a tragedy when it presents a character that is willing to “lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing–his sense of personal dignity.” This character is trying to find his “‘rightful’ position in society,” but is eventually destroyed by shame that is caused by what is perceived as unfair treatment. Therefore, according to Miller, tragedy is the consequence of a man’s need to evaluate himself fairly (Miller “Tragedy”). The three dramas being evaluated, The Tragedy of Othello, Oedipus Rex, and Death of a Salesman, all fit this definition of a tragedy to some degree. The degree to which the parameters of dramatic tragedy are fulfilled in each play increases from The Tragedy of Othello to Oedipus Rex to Death of a Salesman. Out of the plays being analyzed, The Tragedy of Othello is the least tragic of the three. Othello, as a character, is a tragic hero that does actually give his own life in order to secure his sense of personal dignity (Shakespeare 1542). Othello feels that, despite the influence of Iago, he himself caused Desdemona's death as well as much of the other damage and tragedy that has occurred, and the only way to redeem his dignity is by killing himself. On the other hand, though, Othello had never really lost his rightful...
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...May 2013 Othello Humans are tend to behave a certain way, some people are more peaceful than others, everyone is different in a way, but there are times when human behavior can be change drastically from good to bad, when someone is influenced by another person, they tend to change the way they see or think about certain things, and as a result people change their personalities and behaviors. In Othello we can clearly see a change in personality and behavior from the main character who is Othello. He was transformed from a peaceful and well-spoken person, to a savage who end up killing his wife. In the play of Othello is easy to identify that “jealousy” is the main theme. Othello who is a general from the Venetian state is one of the most respected and well-spoken person in the play, In the first acts we can see that Othello is a faithful and powerful general who is married with Desdemona, she is the daughter of Brabantio, Brabantio is against the marriage of her daughter and Othello because of his skin color. Iago is the villain in the play who hates Othello because he was not promoted, and instead Othello decided to promote a young and inexperienced men named Cassio. Iago decide to seek revenge by manipulating everyone in the play. Iago devise a plan that will cause a tremendous amount of chaos. His plan is to lead Othello to believe that his wife, Desdemona has been cheating on him with another man. In Act Three we can see the drastic change of Othello personality...
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