Othello

The forces of good are powerfully embodied by Desdemona in the play Othello (1603) written by William Shakespeare, however evil ultimately prevails leading to her death and the tragic downfall of Othello. The virtue of goodness is evident in the characterisation of Desdemona, foregrounding her inherent morality, and strength, but more prominently evinced in her dying proclamation of her wholehearted commitment to Othello. However, the opposing, destructive forces of evil, evident in the…

Othello which was written by William Shakespeare. This play has been remade countless times. It's been produced on the big screen and local stages around the world. Two of the most recognizable versions are by Tim Nelson and Oliver Parker. Both directors attempted to grab the attention of an audience comprised of different people and what was going on in society during the time of production. Parker tried to appeal to people who love Shakespeare. On the contrary, Nelson tried to appeal to a…

In Othello, Iago utilizes tragic flaws in other characters in order to manipulate all of them, but Shakespeare is truly demonstrating how Iago is the tragic flaw of society. Iago’s acts of cruelty portray significant issues within Shakespearean society including racism, gender roles, and greed. From the beginning of the first act, Iago has a racist attitude towards Othello. This is to the extent that he doesn’t even refer to Othello by his name, but he instead refers to him as “The Moor.” This…

are in two different relationships sets the scene for a conversation that reveals both woman’s feelings towards their husbands. William Shakespeare develops Emilia’s tone into one of being annoyed and exasperated towards Iago, while Desdemona sees Othello as god-like and still has the tone of innocence. During her conversation with Desdemona it becomes apparent that Emilia has some pent up emotions directed towards Iago. Emilia response to Desdemona’s question if there are women who cheat on…

In Shakespeare’s Othello women are clearly portrayed as inferior to men. The character of Desdemona clearly embodies this idea. Throughout the play she routinely submits to the will of her husband Othello, and is portrayed as mentally subservient, as a sexual object, and as a possession. These 17th century societal beliefs can still be observed working against women today in the mainstream media and in the workplace. Othello consistently dismisses everything Desdemona has to say, because…

Even from the beginning of the play when Roderigo is obviously exasperated by the fact that Iago has failed to set him up with Desdemona and that she has, in fact, eloped with Othello, Roderigo will not sever his ties with Iago. Iago promises him that he hates Othello too and that eventually the marriage between Othello and Desdemona will fail. She will "change for youth," Iago tells Roderigo, and that youth will be Roderigo, if he is patient. Roderigo believes Iago because he truly wants to…

Shakespeare masterfully uses metaphors to allow Iago to cast shade on other characters. In the course of the text, Iago compares Othello to an animal, Roderigo to a purse, women to sex objects, etc. However, Iago’s insults place himself in a dark light as well. In (2.3.52-54), Iago says to Roderigo, “Now my sick fool/Roderigo,/Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out”. In this, Iago figuratively alters Roderigo into a moldable object that is manipulated by love. He personifies love while…

Comparing the plays Othello and Disgraced, we observe that each author treats the issue of gender in a similar manner. There is an apparent condescending view towards women and restrictions on their capabilities. Desdemona and Emily are expected to behave in a certain way as women in both plays, Othello and Disgraced respectively; however, these two female characters challenge these expectations throughout. Through Desdemona’s actions and behavior, she displays greater intelligence than what men…

Iago’s Marionette Originality is very important throughout the tragedy of Othello in its’ small cast of characters that all continually have their own thoughts and opinions. Though one character stands out from the crowd for originality: Roderigo. Roderigo is a venetian man who longs to be loved by the fair Desdemona, and through his love and loss of it, he is able to find friendship in Iago; the story’s villain. As Roderigo and Iago work together, Roderigo’s mind continually falls…

Following the tragic deaths of Roderigo, Desdemona, Emilia, and Othello, Cassio orders that Iago be sent back to Venice to be tried by the Duke of Venice himself. Cassio appreciated that Gratiano had entrusted him with deciding how best to punish Iago, but given the severity of the crimes that he committed and the tragic events that his scheming unleashed, he felt that none other than the Duke himself could dispense justice that was matching with his actions. Iago vowed never to speak again, and…