Actor network theory is an important element in analyzing the different psychological characteristics of human behavior. Through this network, modern Shakespeare audiences can rely on individual character agencies in order to better understand the psychology behind the behavior individual characters. In Shakespeare’s Othello, through Shakespeare’s use of actor network theory, the audience is able to engage in a pre-Freudian type of psychoanalysis, which allows them to observe an interpretation of human behavior, through the agencies of Shakespeare’s characters. Here, and like many of his other plays, actor network theory is deeply imbedded onto the agencies that are represented by individual characters. Character agencies reflect upon a character’s
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Desdemona and Othello’s agencies are more subsequently divided by the color of their skin and their designated gender role function. Iago’s agency is characterized by his ability to manipulate others with well-executed lies. An example of Iago’s agency is displayed in act 3, scene 3, line 362, which reads: “Villan, be sure thou prove my love a whore, Be sure of it, give me the ocular proof.” In this line, spoken by Othello, actor network theory is used in order to give the audience a peek of Othello’s worst fears, while Iago exploits them for his benefit. Othello’s Blackness and Desdemona’s fwhiteness, paired with there respective gender roles, become an immediate foil for Othello, as he succumbs to his insecurities. A modern Audience would have no problem interpreting such behaviors, however, Shakespeare lived in the 16th century. Back then, not much was known about human …show more content…
During the events of this play, cypress is going to be attacked by an invading Turkish army. Being a highly decorated soldier, one of the main attributes of his genderalized agency, Othello is summoned in order to deal with this incoming threat. Fter the news of Othello and Desdemona’s elopement reaches the council of the duke, the nobles is forced to momentarily let Othello of the hook. Reminding him however that something was going to be done about his elopement once he returned from battle. Prior to this predicament, Othello often found himself dinning with some of the nobles who are now crossed by his elpoment. Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, would often have Othello over for dinner, so that he may listen to stories of Othello’s deeds. After hearing so many of his heroic stories, Desdemona quickly falls in love with the Othello’s agency of a heroic figure,. But because Othello is a Moore, his agency is naturally overshadowed by his blackness, which is seen as dirty and inferior to the white Venetian males. A man that was once so revered has just realized that he is nothing more than a source of entertainment for the nobles. Rendering his gender role, practically useless in the face of the white Venetian male society. Othello mistakes the constant invitations from the nobles, as a welcoming into the white Venetian male society, which might have made him believed he could have gotten away with eloping.
Desdemona and Othello’s agencies are more subsequently divided by the color of their skin and their designated gender role function. Iago’s agency is characterized by his ability to manipulate others with well-executed lies. An example of Iago’s agency is displayed in act 3, scene 3, line 362, which reads: “Villan, be sure thou prove my love a whore, Be sure of it, give me the ocular proof.” In this line, spoken by Othello, actor network theory is used in order to give the audience a peek of Othello’s worst fears, while Iago exploits them for his benefit. Othello’s Blackness and Desdemona’s fwhiteness, paired with there respective gender roles, become an immediate foil for Othello, as he succumbs to his insecurities. A modern Audience would have no problem interpreting such behaviors, however, Shakespeare lived in the 16th century. Back then, not much was known about human …show more content…
During the events of this play, cypress is going to be attacked by an invading Turkish army. Being a highly decorated soldier, one of the main attributes of his genderalized agency, Othello is summoned in order to deal with this incoming threat. Fter the news of Othello and Desdemona’s elopement reaches the council of the duke, the nobles is forced to momentarily let Othello of the hook. Reminding him however that something was going to be done about his elopement once he returned from battle. Prior to this predicament, Othello often found himself dinning with some of the nobles who are now crossed by his elpoment. Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, would often have Othello over for dinner, so that he may listen to stories of Othello’s deeds. After hearing so many of his heroic stories, Desdemona quickly falls in love with the Othello’s agency of a heroic figure,. But because Othello is a Moore, his agency is naturally overshadowed by his blackness, which is seen as dirty and inferior to the white Venetian males. A man that was once so revered has just realized that he is nothing more than a source of entertainment for the nobles. Rendering his gender role, practically useless in the face of the white Venetian male society. Othello mistakes the constant invitations from the nobles, as a welcoming into the white Venetian male society, which might have made him believed he could have gotten away with eloping.