William Shakespeare is the most popular playwright in all of history and is said to have influenced the English language more than any other writer. He is most commonly known as an Elizabethan playwright, however many of his most popular plays were written after Queen Elizabeth’s death. For this reason, he is actually more of a Jacobean author, for many of his plays show many Jacobean characteristics.
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and was the oldest of six children. He was born on the 23rd of April, and 52 years later, passed away on the same day. Growing up, he was very fortunate in his education despite the fact that both of his parents and grandparents were illiterate. He was only 18 when he married a woman named Anne Hathaway …show more content…
For example, Othello is black, and faces many racial stereotypes. He is also an extremely jealous character. These two qualities combined are the reason for his and his wife’s death. This is because Iago, Othello’s ancient, convinces Othello that his wife, Desdemona, has cheated on him with Cassio, a white man. Othello’s jealousy and insecurity is revealed when he accuses Desdemona of being unfaithful, stating, “her name… is now begrimed and black as [his] own face”(Shakespeare, 3.3. 441-443). This shows that Othello is both jealous of the alleged white man that he accuses Desdemona of sleeping with, and also his insecurity. Othello is considered an outsider, even though he is the main character. In the beginning of the play, before he has even made an appearance on stage, his name is rarely mentioned. He is either ambiguously referred to as “he” or “him” or by a racist nickname such as the “Moor” whereas everyone else is called by their normal first name. In addition, he is rarely a part of the action in the play; he rather stands on the sidelines and watches. He does not actively converse with Iago and Cassio when they are supposedly talking about Desdemona, and he does not take part in the fight in the last act; he assumes Cassio is dead without seeing anything for
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and was the oldest of six children. He was born on the 23rd of April, and 52 years later, passed away on the same day. Growing up, he was very fortunate in his education despite the fact that both of his parents and grandparents were illiterate. He was only 18 when he married a woman named Anne Hathaway …show more content…
For example, Othello is black, and faces many racial stereotypes. He is also an extremely jealous character. These two qualities combined are the reason for his and his wife’s death. This is because Iago, Othello’s ancient, convinces Othello that his wife, Desdemona, has cheated on him with Cassio, a white man. Othello’s jealousy and insecurity is revealed when he accuses Desdemona of being unfaithful, stating, “her name… is now begrimed and black as [his] own face”(Shakespeare, 3.3. 441-443). This shows that Othello is both jealous of the alleged white man that he accuses Desdemona of sleeping with, and also his insecurity. Othello is considered an outsider, even though he is the main character. In the beginning of the play, before he has even made an appearance on stage, his name is rarely mentioned. He is either ambiguously referred to as “he” or “him” or by a racist nickname such as the “Moor” whereas everyone else is called by their normal first name. In addition, he is rarely a part of the action in the play; he rather stands on the sidelines and watches. He does not actively converse with Iago and Cassio when they are supposedly talking about Desdemona, and he does not take part in the fight in the last act; he assumes Cassio is dead without seeing anything for