Othello

Othello is one of the great tragedy themed plays written by William Shakespeare. Iago is Othello’s ambitious friends. Othello promotes Cassio to the position his personal lieutenant and Iago is extremely jealous. Iago begins an evil and malicious campaign against the hero. Iago starts to plot against Desdemona and Othello. Othello becomes jealous and doubts every move Desdemona makes. He trusts Iago and plans to poison Desdemona. Othello eventually kills Desdemona. Emilia tells Othello the truth about Iago. Othello wounds Iago and kills himself. Othello was set in the Elizabethan era (1558-1603). In the Elizabethan period racism was a major issue. A typical black man was stereotyped as power hungry, uncivilized savage and a worthless outside. Whites were seen superior to the black race. Inter-racial marriages between black and white were seen unacceptable in the society. Minimal acceptance was given to Othello because of his leadership as governor general. The relationship between Othello and Desdemona WAS said to be “an old black ram which is tupping a white ewe” this shows how racism was a major issue back in that period of time. The scene that I have chosen is in act 3, scene 3. This scene represents a clear development in Othello’s character were in previous scenes was seen as calm, non-aggressive but his jealousy, doubt and suspicion of his wife Desdemona being unfaithful to him with Cassio turns him to an aggressive irrational character who is seeking revenge. Othello’s trust in Desdemona is seduced away by Iago’s manipulating behavior. The audience can see an obvious change from Othello’s calm character to one whose jealousy is so strong he pledges to kill his wife. The overall themes in the play are those of jealousy, race, appearance vs. reality, order vs. chaos, pride and reputation, honesty, good vs. evil and so on. The theme of jealousy is one of the most apparent and significant theme in act three scene 3three. Jealousy has the power to destroy. It destroys Othello, by jealousy being a part of Othello’s weakness. Iago warns Othello by saying “o beware, my lord of jealousy it is the green eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” Iago is warning Othello of jealousy and its disastrous effects. Where, ironically Iago is motivated by jealousy. This becomes a symbol representing Othello’s dark feelings. Shakespeare uses the colour green to symbolize envy and jealously. Othello’s deeply insecure about his personal qualities and marriage. Insecurity becomes a theme that weakness his resolve not to doubt Desdemona Othello uses his black skin as a symbol for how poorly spoken an d unattractive he thinks he is “id whistle her off and let her down the wind to prey at fortune, haply for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation” Iago appears loyal to who he maintains is his friend “for Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn I think that he is honest” this gives Othello no reason to believe Iago is lying about Cassio. In Iago’s soliloquies and dialogues he reveals himself to the audience to be a master of connotative and metaphoric language, inflammatory imagery, emotional appeals leading questions, meaningful repetition and sly hits. In this case appearance vs. reality is another significant theme which is represented in this scene. This is especially relevant to Iago. Iago is often referred to as ‘honest Iago” and “good Iago” whereas in reality Iago gets Othello to believe through insinuation that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him with Cassio. Another technique used by Iago is reverse phycology. Which makes Othello preoccupied with suspicion.” So guilty like seeing you coming” Iago sees Cassio leaving Desdemona and says “ha I like not that “planting a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind which arouses Othello’s distrust. Until this point in the play Othello has spoken with beautiful images and used language to express beauty. From this point forward Othello’s use of imagery becomes less and less frequent. He begins to lose power over himself and over others, when he loses his beautiful language. Othello’s language is bent by anger. In the battle between order vs. chaos, chaos seems to be winning out. Order vs. chaos is another theme which is seen in this scene. Raging emotions and speculations begin to rule Othello’s fate, as he comes closer and closer to his tragic end. In act three scene there are two long sections of dialogue between Othello and Iago. In the first lines (90-259) Iago takes the lead and completes Othello’s half lines. However in the later section there is a reversal as Othello forces Iago onto the defensive lines (454-61) showing Othello’s determination to remain committed to revenge is expressed in a sentence which spans eight lines of verse indicating pressure or confidence to the audience. The purpose of Shakespeare including this scene in the play will have to relate to it being a central focus in which Iago uses his skillful manner and language to plant a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind, which is significant in the play du7e to the fact that Othello’s character has changed from a peaceful character to an destructive character. Giving the reader a deeper understanding of how language manipulation and jealousy can destroy an individual and lead to a tragic end. 2. Othello was set in the Elizabethan era (1558-1603). In the Elizabethan period racism was a major issue. A typical black man was stereotyped as power hungry, uncivilized savage and a worthless outside. Whites were seen superior to the black race. Inter-racial marriages between black and white were seen unacceptable in the society. Minimal acceptance was given to Othello because of his leadership as governor general. The relationship between Othello and Desdemona WAS said to be “an old black ram which is tupping a white ewe” this shows how racism was a major issue back in that period of time. 2. Othello was set in the Elizabethan era (1558-1603). In the Elizabethan period racism was a major issue. A typical black man was stereotyped as power hungry, uncivilized savage and a worthless outside. Whites were seen superior to the black race. Inter-racial marriages between black and white were seen unacceptable in the society. Minimal acceptance was given to Othello because of his leadership as governor general. The relationship between Othello and Desdemona WAS said to be “an old black ram which is tupping a white ewe” this shows how racism was a major issue back in that period of time. 1 . Othello is one of the great tragedy themed plays written by William Shakespeare. Iago is Othello’s ambitious friends. Othello promotes Cassio to the position his personal lieutenant and Iago is extremely jealous. Iago begins an evil and malicious campaign against the hero. Iago starts to plot against Desdemona and Othello. Othello becomes jealous and doubts every move Desdemona makes. He trusts Iago and plans to poison Desdemona. Othello eventually kills Desdemona. Emilia tells Othello the truth about Iago. Othello wounds Iago and kills himself. 1 . Othello is one of the great tragedy themed plays written by William Shakespeare. Iago is Othello’s ambitious friends. Othello promotes Cassio to the position his personal lieutenant and Iago is extremely jealous. Iago begins an evil and malicious campaign against the hero. Iago starts to plot against Desdemona and Othello. Othello becomes jealous and doubts every move Desdemona makes. He trusts Iago and plans to poison Desdemona. Othello eventually kills Desdemona. Emilia tells Othello the truth about Iago. Othello wounds Iago and kills himself. 4. The overall themes in the play are those of jealousy, race, appearance vs. reality, order vs. chaos, pride and reputation, honesty, good vs. evil and so on. 4. The overall themes in the play are those of jealousy, race, appearance vs. reality, order vs. chaos, pride and reputation, honesty, good vs. evil and so on. 3. The scene that I have chosen is in act 3, scene 3. This scene represents a clear development in Othello’s character were in previous scenes was seen as calm, non-aggressive but his jealousy, doubt and suspicion of his wife Desdemona being unfaithful to him with Cassio turns him to an aggressive irrational character who is seeking revenge. Othello’s trust in Desdemona is seduced away by Iago’s manipulating behavior. The audience can see an obvious change from Othello’s calm character to one whose jealousy is so strong he pledges to kill his wife. 3. The scene that I have chosen is in act 3, scene 3. This scene represents a clear development in Othello’s character were in previous scenes was seen as calm, non-aggressive but his jealousy, doubt and suspicion of his wife Desdemona being unfaithful to him with Cassio turns him to an aggressive irrational character who is seeking revenge. Othello’s trust in Desdemona is seduced away by Iago’s manipulating behavior. The audience can see an obvious change from Othello’s calm character to one whose jealousy is so strong he pledges to kill his wife. 6. Othello’s deeply insecure about his personal qualities and marriage. Insecurity becomes a theme that weakness his resolve not to doubt Desdemona Othello uses his black skin as a symbol for how poorly spoken an d unattractive he thinks he is “id whistle her off and let her down the wind to prey at fortune, haply for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation” 6. Othello’s deeply insecure about his personal qualities and marriage. Insecurity becomes a theme that weakness his resolve not to doubt Desdemona Othello uses his black skin as a symbol for how poorly spoken an d unattractive he thinks he is “id whistle her off and let her down the wind to prey at fortune, haply for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation” 5. The theme of jealousy is one of the most apparent and significant theme in act three scene 3three. Jealousy has the power to destroy. It destroys Othello, by jealousy being a part of Othello’s weakness. Iago warns Othello by saying “o beware, my lord of jealousy it is the green eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” Iago is warning Othello of jealousy and its disastrous effects. Where, ironically Iago is motivated by jealousy. This becomes a symbol representing Othello’s dark feelings. Shakespeare uses the colour green to symbolize envy and jealously. 5. The theme of jealousy is one of the most apparent and significant theme in act three scene 3three. Jealousy has the power to destroy. It destroys Othello, by jealousy being a part of Othello’s weakness. Iago warns Othello by saying “o beware, my lord of jealousy it is the green eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” Iago is warning Othello of jealousy and its disastrous effects. Where, ironically Iago is motivated by jealousy. This becomes a symbol representing Othello’s dark feelings. Shakespeare uses the colour green to symbolize envy and jealously. 8. Another technique used by Iago is reverse phycology. Which makes Othello preoccupied with suspicion.” So guilty like seeing you coming” Iago sees Cassio leaving Desdemona and says “ha I like not that “planting a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind which arouses Othello’s distrust. 8. Another technique used by Iago is reverse phycology. Which makes Othello preoccupied with suspicion.” So guilty like seeing you coming” Iago sees Cassio leaving Desdemona and says “ha I like not that “planting a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind which arouses Othello’s distrust. 7. Iago appears loyal to who he maintains is his friend “for Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn I think that he is honest” this gives Othello no reason to believe Iago is lying about Cassio. In Iago’s soliloquies and dialogues he reveals himself to the audience to be a master of connotative and metaphoric language, inflammatory imagery, emotional appeals leading questions, meaningful repetition and sly hits. In this case appearance vs. reality is another significant theme which is represented in this scene. This is especially relevant to Iago. Iago is often referred to as ‘honest Iago” and “good Iago” whereas in reality Iago gets Othello to believe through insinuation that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him with Cassio. 7. Iago appears loyal to who he maintains is his friend “for Michael Cassio, I dare be sworn I think that he is honest” this gives Othello no reason to believe Iago is lying about Cassio. In Iago’s soliloquies and dialogues he reveals himself to the audience to be a master of connotative and metaphoric language, inflammatory imagery, emotional appeals leading questions, meaningful repetition and sly hits. In this case appearance vs. reality is another significant theme which is represented in this scene. This is especially relevant to Iago. Iago is often referred to as ‘honest Iago” and “good Iago” whereas in reality Iago gets Othello to believe through insinuation that Desdemona is being unfaithful to him with Cassio. 10. In act three scene there are two long sections of dialogue between Othello and Iago. In the first lines (90-259) Iago takes the lead and completes Othello’s half lines. However in the later section there is a reversal as Othello forces Iago onto the defensive lines (454-61) showing Othello’s determination to remain committed to revenge is expressed in a sentence which spans eight lines of verse indicating pressure or confidence to the audience. 10. In act three scene there are two long sections of dialogue between Othello and Iago. In the first lines (90-259) Iago takes the lead and completes Othello’s half lines. However in the later section there is a reversal as Othello forces Iago onto the defensive lines (454-61) showing Othello’s determination to remain committed to revenge is expressed in a sentence which spans eight lines of verse indicating pressure or confidence to the audience. 9. Until this point in the play Othello has spoken with beautiful images and used language to express beauty. From this point forward Othello’s use of imagery becomes less and less frequent. He begins to lose power over himself and over others, when he loses his beautiful language. Othello’s language is bent by anger. In the battle between order vs. chaos, chaos seems to be winning out. Order vs. chaos is another theme which is seen in this scene. Raging emotions and speculations begin to rule Othello’s fate, as he comes closer and closer to his tragic end. 9. Until this point in the play Othello has spoken with beautiful images and used language to express beauty. From this point forward Othello’s use of imagery becomes less and less frequent. He begins to lose power over himself and over others, when he loses his beautiful language. Othello’s language is bent by anger. In the battle between order vs. chaos, chaos seems to be winning out. Order vs. chaos is another theme which is seen in this scene. Raging emotions and speculations begin to rule Othello’s fate, as he comes closer and closer to his tragic end. The purpose of Shakespeare including this scene in the play will have to relate to it being a central focus in which Iago uses his skillful manner and language to plant a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind, which is significant in the play du7e to the fact that Othello’s character has changed from a peaceful character to an destructive character. Giving the reader a deeper understanding of how language manipulation and jealousy can destroy an individual and lead to a tragic end. The purpose of Shakespeare including this scene in the play will have to relate to it being a central focus in which Iago uses his skillful manner and language to plant a seed of doubt in Othello’s mind, which is significant in the play du7e to the fact that Othello’s character has changed from a peaceful character to an destructive character. Giving the reader a deeper understanding of how language manipulation and jealousy can destroy an individual and lead to a tragic end.