The settings of each of Shakespeare’s plays play a huge role in the plot and the play as a whole. For example, in Othello, the play starts off in Venice but takes place in Cyprus for a majority of the play. The people of Venice were mostly white, so Othello was definitely an outcast. If it weren’t for his position in the military and his service in the war, he more than likely would have been criticized by the Venetian people. When the setting shifts to Cyprus, known for its love, the love between characters does not last very long. As Iago starts to manipulate multiple characters, especially Othello, the love changes to anger, lies and vengeance. Othello claims that “she (Desdemona) had eyes, and chose me” and that he’ll “see before [he]
…show more content…
For example, in The Merchant of Venice, when Portia has suitors come to try for their chance at marriage with her, Portia is done with the Prince of Morocco and is pleased when he picks the wrong chest. She is happy because she does not like his skin color because he has “the complexion of a devil” and it wouldn’t have mattered if he had “the condition of a saint” (1.2.129-131). Then, on the opposite side of the spectrum you have Othello where Desdemona remains in love with her husband Othello, a moor, even though he she is almost dead after he starts to kill her. When Emilia walks in and asks Desdemona who did this to her, Desdemona says she did it to herself and tells Emilia to “commend me to my kind lord” and dies” (5.2.121-122). So Desdemona still defends and stands by her man, even during the process of her death. Not to this extent, but these two couples remind me of society today. Somewhat similar to the relationship of Othello and Desdemona is the relationship of Katherina and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. When, Katherina who has yet to find a steady relationship due to her not-so-great personality, and Petruchio, who is up for a challenge, end up getting married, their relationship is interesting. Katherina, who didn’t listen to anyone before meeting to Petruchio, ends up listening to him and following his every order by the end of the story. When Petruchio and a few of the other married men are at a dinner, Petruchio is the only man whose wife follows his command and comes to the table. When she arrives, she asks “what is your will?” and does exactly what he asks, whereas the other wives do not even come to the table (5.2.100). So I think Shakespeare portrays love in a variety of ways. For some, appearance is important with love, whereas others, obedience and trust is important. I think defining Shakespeare’s portrayal of love as complicated is the best way to describe
For example, in The Merchant of Venice, when Portia has suitors come to try for their chance at marriage with her, Portia is done with the Prince of Morocco and is pleased when he picks the wrong chest. She is happy because she does not like his skin color because he has “the complexion of a devil” and it wouldn’t have mattered if he had “the condition of a saint” (1.2.129-131). Then, on the opposite side of the spectrum you have Othello where Desdemona remains in love with her husband Othello, a moor, even though he she is almost dead after he starts to kill her. When Emilia walks in and asks Desdemona who did this to her, Desdemona says she did it to herself and tells Emilia to “commend me to my kind lord” and dies” (5.2.121-122). So Desdemona still defends and stands by her man, even during the process of her death. Not to this extent, but these two couples remind me of society today. Somewhat similar to the relationship of Othello and Desdemona is the relationship of Katherina and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. When, Katherina who has yet to find a steady relationship due to her not-so-great personality, and Petruchio, who is up for a challenge, end up getting married, their relationship is interesting. Katherina, who didn’t listen to anyone before meeting to Petruchio, ends up listening to him and following his every order by the end of the story. When Petruchio and a few of the other married men are at a dinner, Petruchio is the only man whose wife follows his command and comes to the table. When she arrives, she asks “what is your will?” and does exactly what he asks, whereas the other wives do not even come to the table (5.2.100). So I think Shakespeare portrays love in a variety of ways. For some, appearance is important with love, whereas others, obedience and trust is important. I think defining Shakespeare’s portrayal of love as complicated is the best way to describe