William Shakespeare’s “Othello, the Moor of Venice” (reprinted in Greg Johnson and Thomas R. Arp, Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense, 12th ed.) is one of the most well known tragedies across literature. In the famous play, Othello is the Moor that came into the Venetian city as somewhat of an outsider and acquired a high rank so quickly that it bothered many other men at the time. In addition to this, at the start of the play Othello marries Desdemona without her father’s permission and this action angers a number of people. From the beginning of the play, it appears that while most people view Othello with great respect there are a few who are immensely envious and jealous of him. For the duration of the play, it is apparent
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In lines 1-22, Othello has a soliloquy in which he is figuring out why he must kill Desdemona and essentially justifying his reason in doing so. In line 1, Othello states, “It is the cause, it is the cause.” Though we do not precisely know which cause, the reader can infer that is in reference to killing Desdemona for her supposed unfaithfulness in their relationship. In the next lines (3-5) Othello is merely saying that the way in which he intends to kill her will not be by stabbing or cutting her in a way that will scar her skin because he sort of views it as a statue. It is interesting to note that although it was not necessary for him to do so, Othello described Desdemona in such a manner that brings back the recurring racism seen throughout the play. Othello states “Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow And smooth as monumental alabaster”. His wording, even when talking to himself suggests that maybe because he was scrutinized for it, Othello may have been insecure of his skin color. In lines 16-17 of Act 5 Scene, Othello kisses Desdemona one last time. It is in these lines that Othello implies that just the beauty of Desdemona nearly persuades him to not kill her. A key detail here is when he uses the words “Justice to break her sword!” as if killing Desdemona is his responsibility to society. The last lines of this section (lines 19-22) are crucial to …show more content…
One example of Othello’s honesty occurs not too long after the play begins. In Act 1, scene 2 of Othello, Othello is discussing with Iago the fact that Othello has married Brabantios’ daughter to his dismay and without his permission. When Iago tells Othello that Brabantio and his friends are coming and that he should go inside, Othello states, “Not I, must be found. My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.” (lines 30-32) This illustration of Othello’s honesty, even when it may hinder his status and relationships, show that Othello is not fearful of consequences because of who he is and also the way he is. Othello is also trusting to a fault. In Act 3, scene 3 when Iago is basically telling Othello that Cassio is not to be trusted as he is too friendly with Desdemona, Othello takes his word for it. In a way these character traits influenced how others would use them to his disadvantage and because of this, Othello suffered great
In lines 1-22, Othello has a soliloquy in which he is figuring out why he must kill Desdemona and essentially justifying his reason in doing so. In line 1, Othello states, “It is the cause, it is the cause.” Though we do not precisely know which cause, the reader can infer that is in reference to killing Desdemona for her supposed unfaithfulness in their relationship. In the next lines (3-5) Othello is merely saying that the way in which he intends to kill her will not be by stabbing or cutting her in a way that will scar her skin because he sort of views it as a statue. It is interesting to note that although it was not necessary for him to do so, Othello described Desdemona in such a manner that brings back the recurring racism seen throughout the play. Othello states “Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow And smooth as monumental alabaster”. His wording, even when talking to himself suggests that maybe because he was scrutinized for it, Othello may have been insecure of his skin color. In lines 16-17 of Act 5 Scene, Othello kisses Desdemona one last time. It is in these lines that Othello implies that just the beauty of Desdemona nearly persuades him to not kill her. A key detail here is when he uses the words “Justice to break her sword!” as if killing Desdemona is his responsibility to society. The last lines of this section (lines 19-22) are crucial to …show more content…
One example of Othello’s honesty occurs not too long after the play begins. In Act 1, scene 2 of Othello, Othello is discussing with Iago the fact that Othello has married Brabantios’ daughter to his dismay and without his permission. When Iago tells Othello that Brabantio and his friends are coming and that he should go inside, Othello states, “Not I, must be found. My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.” (lines 30-32) This illustration of Othello’s honesty, even when it may hinder his status and relationships, show that Othello is not fearful of consequences because of who he is and also the way he is. Othello is also trusting to a fault. In Act 3, scene 3 when Iago is basically telling Othello that Cassio is not to be trusted as he is too friendly with Desdemona, Othello takes his word for it. In a way these character traits influenced how others would use them to his disadvantage and because of this, Othello suffered great