Yi Zhi Zhang
Mark Robert Cohen
The Nightmare Vision
12th May, 2015
Othello: Reason and Passion
In Greek mythology, Icarus, equipped with ingenious wings of wax, was warned by his father Daedalus to fly far away from the Sun. Overwhelmed by the ecstasy of flying, he soared too close to the forbidden heat and fell into the sea as his feathers melted away one by one. Similarly, in William Shakespeare’s Othello, the main character’s reason brings him success, but his passion plunges him to his own downfall. Shakespeare demonstrates how Othello’s dichotomous will affects his fate. This will be shown through his status and eloquence contrasted with his jealousy and stubbornness. First, Shakespeare shows that Othello’s reason contributes to his success …show more content…
Although Othello humbly claims his discourse mediocre, his words are chosen wisely and reveal his charisma. For instance, it is purely with his stories that he makes Desdemona fall in love with him. Even the duke of Venice comments: “I think [Othello’s] tale would win my daughter too” (2, 3, 173). Therefore, guided by his reason, the Moor possesses an eloquent tongue. When using his rational mind, he speaks of noble things. For instance, Othello avoids violence when Brabantio attempts to arrest him forcefully for eloping with his …show more content…
Additionally, his speech turns vulgar and is plagued by twisted intentions: “I would not kill thy unprepared spirit/ No, heaven forbid, I would not kill thy soul” (5, 2, 33-34). Obsessed with murder, Othello is no longer the keeper of peace from the beginning of the play when his motives are blinded by passion. Additionally, the way he treats Desdemona transforms entirely. He used to think her as virtuous, whereas he now thinks her as false: “She turned to folly, and she was a whore” (5, 2, 146). When describing her, he no longer emphasizes her mind, but rather, focuses on her body and pictures her committing sexual acts: “I’ll not/expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty/unprovide my mind again” (4, 1, 157-158). He emphasizes Desdemona’s body’s temptation, which signifies that he now views her as an object of pleasure instead of a human deserving equal respect and dignity. Thus, his stubbornness causes his will to stray from nobility, triggering his tragic
Mark Robert Cohen
The Nightmare Vision
12th May, 2015
Othello: Reason and Passion
In Greek mythology, Icarus, equipped with ingenious wings of wax, was warned by his father Daedalus to fly far away from the Sun. Overwhelmed by the ecstasy of flying, he soared too close to the forbidden heat and fell into the sea as his feathers melted away one by one. Similarly, in William Shakespeare’s Othello, the main character’s reason brings him success, but his passion plunges him to his own downfall. Shakespeare demonstrates how Othello’s dichotomous will affects his fate. This will be shown through his status and eloquence contrasted with his jealousy and stubbornness. First, Shakespeare shows that Othello’s reason contributes to his success …show more content…
Although Othello humbly claims his discourse mediocre, his words are chosen wisely and reveal his charisma. For instance, it is purely with his stories that he makes Desdemona fall in love with him. Even the duke of Venice comments: “I think [Othello’s] tale would win my daughter too” (2, 3, 173). Therefore, guided by his reason, the Moor possesses an eloquent tongue. When using his rational mind, he speaks of noble things. For instance, Othello avoids violence when Brabantio attempts to arrest him forcefully for eloping with his …show more content…
Additionally, his speech turns vulgar and is plagued by twisted intentions: “I would not kill thy unprepared spirit/ No, heaven forbid, I would not kill thy soul” (5, 2, 33-34). Obsessed with murder, Othello is no longer the keeper of peace from the beginning of the play when his motives are blinded by passion. Additionally, the way he treats Desdemona transforms entirely. He used to think her as virtuous, whereas he now thinks her as false: “She turned to folly, and she was a whore” (5, 2, 146). When describing her, he no longer emphasizes her mind, but rather, focuses on her body and pictures her committing sexual acts: “I’ll not/expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty/unprovide my mind again” (4, 1, 157-158). He emphasizes Desdemona’s body’s temptation, which signifies that he now views her as an object of pleasure instead of a human deserving equal respect and dignity. Thus, his stubbornness causes his will to stray from nobility, triggering his tragic