Chris Monroe
Mr. Everett
English 2322
April 29, 2016
The Truth in Othello The tragic play Othello by William Shakespeare is a play that induces many emotions in the audience for various characters on numerous occasions. One of the greatest philosophers in mankind, Aristotle, states in his book Poetics that “poetry, therefore, is a more philosophical and a higher thing than history…” (Poetics Part IX). Between poetic literature and historical accounts, poetic literature is much easier to understand since plays can exert a perception onto the audience in which they can relate to on an everyday level. Historical accounts typically deal with general guidelines and explanations while plays are more centrally focused onto single aspects of an individual’s …show more content…
With the disappearance of the handkerchief, Emilia symbolizes the handkerchief as the “first remembrance from the Moor” (Othello 3.3.291). Iago himself warns Othello of jealousy: “O, beware my lord, of jealousy; It is the green eyed monster…” (Othello 3.3.166). This line is not only warning Othello what jealousy can do to people but of the wrath that he himself will rain upon Othello in the upcoming scenes. Once Othello had the thought of Desdemona with some other man, everything he thinks and reacts to is clouded by the jealous judgement. Hacht states in her Shakespeare for Students “Shakespeare demonstrates how powerless a person can become when a series of distorted thoughts is allowed to infect the mind.” (Othello 658). Shakespeare provides many examples as to how a once proud and noble man can be so quickly shot down from one ill-advised thought which then turns out to be his main flaw. Emilia throughout the story plays a semi-minor role but her actions are very active. Emilia states to Desdemona “They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband!” (Othello 3.4.100). Emilia here is referencing men as stomachs and women as food that go into those stomachs. Once they are done using the women, they throw them away and forget about them. Othello’s jealousy then becomes a nightmare when Iago sets up a conversation with Cassio and Othello to hide behind in the shadows so he can hear first-hand at what Cassio has done. Of course though in fact Iago has tricked Othello into thinking they would be talking about Desdemona but in truth they would be talking about the mistress Bianca: “Now will I question Cassio of Bianca” (Othello 4.1.93). Desdemona first spots Othello’s jealousy when Othello states “Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.” when they are discussing whether or not she is a true and loyal wife.
Mr. Everett
English 2322
April 29, 2016
The Truth in Othello The tragic play Othello by William Shakespeare is a play that induces many emotions in the audience for various characters on numerous occasions. One of the greatest philosophers in mankind, Aristotle, states in his book Poetics that “poetry, therefore, is a more philosophical and a higher thing than history…” (Poetics Part IX). Between poetic literature and historical accounts, poetic literature is much easier to understand since plays can exert a perception onto the audience in which they can relate to on an everyday level. Historical accounts typically deal with general guidelines and explanations while plays are more centrally focused onto single aspects of an individual’s …show more content…
With the disappearance of the handkerchief, Emilia symbolizes the handkerchief as the “first remembrance from the Moor” (Othello 3.3.291). Iago himself warns Othello of jealousy: “O, beware my lord, of jealousy; It is the green eyed monster…” (Othello 3.3.166). This line is not only warning Othello what jealousy can do to people but of the wrath that he himself will rain upon Othello in the upcoming scenes. Once Othello had the thought of Desdemona with some other man, everything he thinks and reacts to is clouded by the jealous judgement. Hacht states in her Shakespeare for Students “Shakespeare demonstrates how powerless a person can become when a series of distorted thoughts is allowed to infect the mind.” (Othello 658). Shakespeare provides many examples as to how a once proud and noble man can be so quickly shot down from one ill-advised thought which then turns out to be his main flaw. Emilia throughout the story plays a semi-minor role but her actions are very active. Emilia states to Desdemona “They belch us. Look you, Cassio and my husband!” (Othello 3.4.100). Emilia here is referencing men as stomachs and women as food that go into those stomachs. Once they are done using the women, they throw them away and forget about them. Othello’s jealousy then becomes a nightmare when Iago sets up a conversation with Cassio and Othello to hide behind in the shadows so he can hear first-hand at what Cassio has done. Of course though in fact Iago has tricked Othello into thinking they would be talking about Desdemona but in truth they would be talking about the mistress Bianca: “Now will I question Cassio of Bianca” (Othello 4.1.93). Desdemona first spots Othello’s jealousy when Othello states “Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.” when they are discussing whether or not she is a true and loyal wife.