Shakespeare and Webster embody the essentialities of a seventeenth century revenge tragedy in relation to Aristotle’s Poetics. This states ‘tragedy involves a protagonist of high estate “better than we” who falls from prosperity to misery through a series of reversals and discoveries as a result of a “tragic flaw” generally an error caused by human frailty’. The protagonists in ‘Othello’ and ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ are ultimately brought to their demise the factors that catalyse are debatable.
Shakespeare, one of the most successful and well-known playwrights in history, presented his protagonists with distinctive flaws in all of his revenge tragedies. Alongside ‘Othello’, ‘Macbeth’ was one of the 10 plays classified as tragedies, Macbeth’s …show more content…
They identified and exploited their weaknesses; in ‘Othello’ the distinguishable malcontent is Iago. Iago detects Othello’s gullible and open nature and abuses this mercilessly, stating “I’ll pour pestilence into his ear”, this metaphor connotes to imagery of poisoning Othello’s mind with hurtful words. Shakespeare uses this figurative imagery in a brutal way to demonstrate the extent of hatred that Iago has for Othello. This is similar to the way Bosola poisons the Duchess’s mind with grandiose/figurative imagery of death and decay “puff paste” “green mummy” “worm seeds”. Iago validates his control over Othello in Act 3 Scene 3 when Othello converges his language to mimic Iago “Honest, my lord?” “Honest? Ay, honest”, “Think, my lord”, “Think, my lord!” this juxtaposes with Othello’s eloquent speech in Act 1 Scene 3 highlighting how corrupted Othello has become. Othello addressing Iago as “my lord” shows that he has respect for Iago and sees him as an authoritive figure. Professor Niamat Ali, 2006, voiced “[Othello and Roderigo] both of them have one target Cassio, but both of them are blinded by Iago” I agree with this comment, both Othello and Roderigo want to kill Cassio but Iago orchestrates it so that Roderigo is against Othello, he states “…the Moor” Act 1 Scene 2, this is a racist slur that is referenced by Iago on multiple occasions. In the Duchess of Malfi the …show more content…
Some of the social values considered important in the seventeenth century would be scrutinised in today’s world. Living in this time period would have been challenging for the protagonists with issues such as discrimination, social hierarchy, and gender roles all evident. Living in this way would have had a great impact on their downfall. As Cassio repeatedly stated “reputation, reputation, reputation” was greatly valued. Othello’s reputation would have been different if he had not been a soldier in possession of power. Black people were deemed to be evil, filthy sinners, sexually driven and descendants of Ham in Genesis. For Shakespeare to portray a black man as a tragic but heroic figure would have been shocking for Elizabethan audiences. Queen Elizabeth I banned black people “Negars and Moors…there are already here too many”. People were judged on face value, Iago exploits this trait in Othello “…thinks men honest that seem to be so…” Othello is a soldier who preaches by honour, he is blind sighted to Iago’s villainous character. ‘Honest’ is repeated 52 times in ‘Othello’ and Iago is addressed by the epithet ‘honest Iago’ which is ironic since he is the malcontent. Iago is someone who shared these corrupt values he displayed racist behaviour towards Othello when he alerts Brabantio “An Old black ram is tupping your white ewe” Iago contrasts the pair using colour symbolism of dirty and pure
Shakespeare, one of the most successful and well-known playwrights in history, presented his protagonists with distinctive flaws in all of his revenge tragedies. Alongside ‘Othello’, ‘Macbeth’ was one of the 10 plays classified as tragedies, Macbeth’s …show more content…
They identified and exploited their weaknesses; in ‘Othello’ the distinguishable malcontent is Iago. Iago detects Othello’s gullible and open nature and abuses this mercilessly, stating “I’ll pour pestilence into his ear”, this metaphor connotes to imagery of poisoning Othello’s mind with hurtful words. Shakespeare uses this figurative imagery in a brutal way to demonstrate the extent of hatred that Iago has for Othello. This is similar to the way Bosola poisons the Duchess’s mind with grandiose/figurative imagery of death and decay “puff paste” “green mummy” “worm seeds”. Iago validates his control over Othello in Act 3 Scene 3 when Othello converges his language to mimic Iago “Honest, my lord?” “Honest? Ay, honest”, “Think, my lord”, “Think, my lord!” this juxtaposes with Othello’s eloquent speech in Act 1 Scene 3 highlighting how corrupted Othello has become. Othello addressing Iago as “my lord” shows that he has respect for Iago and sees him as an authoritive figure. Professor Niamat Ali, 2006, voiced “[Othello and Roderigo] both of them have one target Cassio, but both of them are blinded by Iago” I agree with this comment, both Othello and Roderigo want to kill Cassio but Iago orchestrates it so that Roderigo is against Othello, he states “…the Moor” Act 1 Scene 2, this is a racist slur that is referenced by Iago on multiple occasions. In the Duchess of Malfi the …show more content…
Some of the social values considered important in the seventeenth century would be scrutinised in today’s world. Living in this time period would have been challenging for the protagonists with issues such as discrimination, social hierarchy, and gender roles all evident. Living in this way would have had a great impact on their downfall. As Cassio repeatedly stated “reputation, reputation, reputation” was greatly valued. Othello’s reputation would have been different if he had not been a soldier in possession of power. Black people were deemed to be evil, filthy sinners, sexually driven and descendants of Ham in Genesis. For Shakespeare to portray a black man as a tragic but heroic figure would have been shocking for Elizabethan audiences. Queen Elizabeth I banned black people “Negars and Moors…there are already here too many”. People were judged on face value, Iago exploits this trait in Othello “…thinks men honest that seem to be so…” Othello is a soldier who preaches by honour, he is blind sighted to Iago’s villainous character. ‘Honest’ is repeated 52 times in ‘Othello’ and Iago is addressed by the epithet ‘honest Iago’ which is ironic since he is the malcontent. Iago is someone who shared these corrupt values he displayed racist behaviour towards Othello when he alerts Brabantio “An Old black ram is tupping your white ewe” Iago contrasts the pair using colour symbolism of dirty and pure