The constant temptation to act on selfish, passionate thoughts is constantly at war with the desire and social expectation to act upon loving and reasonable thoughts. This time-less struggle to be an angel, not a demon, or to act in goodness, and not in evil is very evident in many aspects of one’s life. When one allows their love and emotion to be put at another’s disposal, the other can warp and twist them to turn something heavenly into something devilish. In the proper hands, it is possible for emotions to be controlled and righteous actions are an outcome of that control. These actions cause the person to gain respect, peace and love instead of regret from acting on passions. In “Othello,” Shakespeare uses starkly contrasting heavenly
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When characters, such as Othello, Bianca and Emilia use good judgment and reason to govern their actions, they are able to attain their fantasies through restraining anger, managing jealousy and exercising self-control. Similarly, a dream world is also made possible for Othello and Desdemona by acting in selfless love and a desire for the others’ wellbeing. On the other hand, when Othello and Cassio put their best judgment at Iago’s disposal, Iago was able to manipulate their passions and make them abandon their self-control and act with rage and envy. Through Shakespeare’s use of heavenly and hellish imagery in “Othello,” he depicts the world of wish that results when one allows their actions to be ruled by love and reason, but also the nightmares that are caused when one allows themselves to act upon passions and emotions that are controlled by …show more content…
Othello truly loves Desdemona, and does not succumb to bodily lusts, as a beast would. When Othello asks the duke if Desdemona can accompany him to the battle in Cyprus, Othello declares, “Vouch with me heaven, I therefore beg it not/ To please the palate of my appetite,/ Nor comply with the heat the young affects/ In my distinct and proper satisfaction/ But to be true and bounteous to her mind”(1.3.257-262). Othello make a vow with heaven that he will not let his animalistic sexual passions and bodily lusts shadow his love for Desdemona. This vow to heaven, much like the vows the innocent Desdemona makes, proves to everyone Othello means to be a selfless person, and his want to take Desdemona has nothing to do with his want for her, but the desire for them both to be together, selflessly loving each other in their world of wish. Desdemona also desires Othello for selfless reasons, not for his superficial looks, or even his royal position, she genuinely loves him and wants to live in harmony with him. Desdemona explains to her father why she fell in love with Othello: “ I saw Othello’s visage in his mind/ And to his honors and valiant parts did my soul consecrate” (1.3.257-262). She consecrates her soul to Othello, much like a Christian would consecrate their soul to God. Desdemona loves Othello and does not want anything in return for her love. In a world of wish, Desdemona
When characters, such as Othello, Bianca and Emilia use good judgment and reason to govern their actions, they are able to attain their fantasies through restraining anger, managing jealousy and exercising self-control. Similarly, a dream world is also made possible for Othello and Desdemona by acting in selfless love and a desire for the others’ wellbeing. On the other hand, when Othello and Cassio put their best judgment at Iago’s disposal, Iago was able to manipulate their passions and make them abandon their self-control and act with rage and envy. Through Shakespeare’s use of heavenly and hellish imagery in “Othello,” he depicts the world of wish that results when one allows their actions to be ruled by love and reason, but also the nightmares that are caused when one allows themselves to act upon passions and emotions that are controlled by …show more content…
Othello truly loves Desdemona, and does not succumb to bodily lusts, as a beast would. When Othello asks the duke if Desdemona can accompany him to the battle in Cyprus, Othello declares, “Vouch with me heaven, I therefore beg it not/ To please the palate of my appetite,/ Nor comply with the heat the young affects/ In my distinct and proper satisfaction/ But to be true and bounteous to her mind”(1.3.257-262). Othello make a vow with heaven that he will not let his animalistic sexual passions and bodily lusts shadow his love for Desdemona. This vow to heaven, much like the vows the innocent Desdemona makes, proves to everyone Othello means to be a selfless person, and his want to take Desdemona has nothing to do with his want for her, but the desire for them both to be together, selflessly loving each other in their world of wish. Desdemona also desires Othello for selfless reasons, not for his superficial looks, or even his royal position, she genuinely loves him and wants to live in harmony with him. Desdemona explains to her father why she fell in love with Othello: “ I saw Othello’s visage in his mind/ And to his honors and valiant parts did my soul consecrate” (1.3.257-262). She consecrates her soul to Othello, much like a Christian would consecrate their soul to God. Desdemona loves Othello and does not want anything in return for her love. In a world of wish, Desdemona