Perception and Symbolism Of Characters
Many times in life perception plays a vital role in how we view and treat people, and can lead to many problems, both within oneself and with others. Objects that are outside of our control and awareness can also change how we are viewed, with widely varying results. In the play Othello by Shakespeare, Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem “Richard Cory” and the war story “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, characters are perceived differently by others than they are in their own minds, and the symbolism tied to their surroundings can have a profound impact on how they are viewed, whether good or bad.
In Othello, the conflict is centered around the manipulation of a white and strawberry patterned handkerchief, …show more content…
In the earlier parts of the poem, Desdemona’s friendly and social nature make her more of a loved person by all of the other characters, but Iago begins to turn this against her, insinuating that her friendships may not be all platonic. Cassio, in particular, is the target of these allegations of promiscuity, being friendly with both Desdemona and Othello, and often asking Desdemona for favours once he falls out of her husband’s grace. This comes about when Emilia brings the handkerchief to her husband after it was dropped by Desdemona, and he proceeds to plant it on Cassio, telling Othello that it must mean that Cassio and Desdemona are romantically involved. From this point on, Iago proceeds to use the handkerchief against both Desdemona and Othello, turning its once positive symbols into more sinister ones. Unfortunately for Desdemona, whose name seems to be a derivative of the greek word for ill-fated, dysdaimon (Bassi 51), most of the evidence that Iago provides looks harshly upon her and her loyalties, turning the very story of the handkerchief against her. As previously noted, the handkerchief was able to “subdue my father/ Entirely to her love” (Shakespeare 3.4.59-60) as noted by Othello, which can also then suggest that Desdemona would be able to use the same magic to gain the love of another, namely Cassio. Iago further points out that with the magicks of the cloth, it would be impossible for Cassio to resist Desdemona’s advances, and ultimately Cassio must fall to the beauty, charms, and sway of Desdemona and the handkerchief. To add insult to injury, the fact that, as Othello believes, Desdemona is using a family heirloom and symbol of his love to woo other men to satisfy her own drive damages the honor of the Moor and his family, building the tension to insurmountable
Many times in life perception plays a vital role in how we view and treat people, and can lead to many problems, both within oneself and with others. Objects that are outside of our control and awareness can also change how we are viewed, with widely varying results. In the play Othello by Shakespeare, Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem “Richard Cory” and the war story “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, characters are perceived differently by others than they are in their own minds, and the symbolism tied to their surroundings can have a profound impact on how they are viewed, whether good or bad.
In Othello, the conflict is centered around the manipulation of a white and strawberry patterned handkerchief, …show more content…
In the earlier parts of the poem, Desdemona’s friendly and social nature make her more of a loved person by all of the other characters, but Iago begins to turn this against her, insinuating that her friendships may not be all platonic. Cassio, in particular, is the target of these allegations of promiscuity, being friendly with both Desdemona and Othello, and often asking Desdemona for favours once he falls out of her husband’s grace. This comes about when Emilia brings the handkerchief to her husband after it was dropped by Desdemona, and he proceeds to plant it on Cassio, telling Othello that it must mean that Cassio and Desdemona are romantically involved. From this point on, Iago proceeds to use the handkerchief against both Desdemona and Othello, turning its once positive symbols into more sinister ones. Unfortunately for Desdemona, whose name seems to be a derivative of the greek word for ill-fated, dysdaimon (Bassi 51), most of the evidence that Iago provides looks harshly upon her and her loyalties, turning the very story of the handkerchief against her. As previously noted, the handkerchief was able to “subdue my father/ Entirely to her love” (Shakespeare 3.4.59-60) as noted by Othello, which can also then suggest that Desdemona would be able to use the same magic to gain the love of another, namely Cassio. Iago further points out that with the magicks of the cloth, it would be impossible for Cassio to resist Desdemona’s advances, and ultimately Cassio must fall to the beauty, charms, and sway of Desdemona and the handkerchief. To add insult to injury, the fact that, as Othello believes, Desdemona is using a family heirloom and symbol of his love to woo other men to satisfy her own drive damages the honor of the Moor and his family, building the tension to insurmountable