In William Shakespeare's play "Othello," racism and ignorance emerge as prevailing themes, delving into the complexities of societal prejudice and the devastating consequences they impose on individuals. This essay examines the role of race in the play, contextualizes racial prejudice in the Elizabethan Era, and analyzes how specific characters and their interactions highlight racial belittlement. Through the effective use of textual evidence, vivid description techniques, and the exploration of Geoffrey Sax's cinematic adaptation, the essay explores institutionalized racism, film techniques intensifying racial injustice, and the presence of racist ideologies through the character of Iago. By comparing and contrasting the film adaptation with
Together, all of these examples of imagery develop the idea of the animal behavior of the story’s characters by depicting the atrocities and strident conditions the inmates face throughout the
Othello is the General of the Cyprus army with honest Iago by his side. During this time racism was happening and Othello was a part of it. Othello tried his best for everybody to like him; people would talk behind his back, call him names, and would eventually ruin his life. Iago was an ensign in the army, and his “good” friend, who would put lies into Othello's head, which eventually, he took control of Othello. In this essay Othello will display cultural criticism and how it displays him as a person in the story.
This essay will discuss how scene 2.1 employs scene depiction and stylistic elements to emphasize the role of social classes in the plot, further develop the characterization of Iago, and foreshadow the downfall of the tragic hero Othello. The role of social classes is emphasized
Uncovering the Effects of Anthropomorphizing Animals in Maus There are many works in Children Literature, Aesop’s Fables, and George Orwell’s Animal Farm anthropomorphizing animals, so it is not surprising to see humans being treated zoomorphically in Maus. In this essay, it argues the effects of having animals represents humans in Maus, namely creating and yet challenging the stereotypes, reflecting the reality, conveying the meaning more in depth, and engaging the young readers more. First, the use of animals has unintentionally created stereotypes.
While Shakespeare uses rhetoric to create art, Iago uses it to cause destruction and pain. Shakespeare’s Othello can be used as a means of exploring the dangerous power of rhetoric and gaining insight into the ethical role it
• Iago alludes to something God said in the Bible • Exodus 3:14, God says to Moses “I Am that I Am” • Suggests that unlike God, he is not the kind person he appears to be • Like how Moses speaks the Word of God, Roderigo carries out
In the play, Othello, by William Shakespeare, the use of different sorts of animal motifs are used to differentiate between characters on or off the screen and to show mood.. To reference Othello, the use of beasts or gross animals are used to show the prejudice and racism throughout the play. In the beginning when Iago and Roderigo are talking to Brabantio they exclaim, "Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse" (I.i.123-125). He references Othello as a Barbary horse, immediately telling the audience who they are talking about without them even having to see them.
This allusion that Iago makes explains the theme of fatal pride. By referencing King Stephen, Iago refers to the downfall of Othello as he is too trusting, and thus, that pride will make him careless and oblivious to better judgement, thus resulting in the murder of Desdemona and his ultimate fall, hence building upon the theme. In history, locations, race, and culture were the cause of much conflict. This same concept can be applied to Othello, which utilizes allusions to refer to the relevance of these places and peoples to develop his themes, more specifically, the geographical allusions built mainly upon the theme of civilization versus savagery.
Discuss Shakespeare 's Use of Imagery in Othello to Reveal Character A lack of empathy makes for a true villain. In Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello, the nature of Iago’s character is revealed through the use of animal, plant, and devil imagery. Iago is revealed to view others as less than him, manipulating them with a lack of conscience, and having a desire for the destruction of others.
Iago’s powerfully disruptive insinuations torment Othello to fall precipitously into his intricate trap, believing in the prospect of Cassio and Desdemona’s fictitious affair. Through the use of linguistic techniques such as elliptical speech, subservient vocative choices and a hesitant tone, Iago is able to construct artful innuendoes to deceive and manipulate Othello. Supplementary to linguistic techniques, dramatic techniques such as dramatic irony reinforces Iago’s role as a two-faced villain, who is making a pretence of being Othello’s loyal ensign. Eventually, Iago’s villainy nature sows a seed of doubt in Othello that germinates into the murder of Desdemona. Through the characterisation of Iago as a notorious villain, Shakespeare is able to hold Iago’s actions accountable for the play’s tragic downfall, establishing a sense of powerlessness amongst the
In the play Othello, William Shakespeare creates an elaborate tragedy with various in depth characters, enhancing the story with powerful characterization. Iago, the main antagonist of Othello, exemplifies Shakespeare’s use of characterization to create in depth and complex characters. Using his manipulative nature, intellectual mind, egotistical attitude, and dishonesty, Iago controls the other characters in order to achieve his goal, leading Othello to succumb to an overwhelming jealousy causing his downfall. In order for Iago to gain control of the characters in the play, he manipulates Othello, Roderigo, Cassio, and more to believe false information and turn on one another.
Comparing Othello to an “old black ram” introduces animalistic imagery, and puts him at a level below humans on the Great Chain of Being. The coming together of an animal and a human would disrupt the chain, and was thought to also disrupt the laws of nature and cause bizarre events to occur. The descriptive word, “black” highlighted that in the Renaissance times, black stood for sin and evilness. Emilia’s views on men are discovered through the metaphor comparing men to “stomachs” and women to “food”. Men “eat us hungrily, and when they are full they belch us”, implies men get rid of women as soon as they have had enough of them, and therefore should not be trusted.
If Roderigo exposed Iago when he said he would, a lot of misfortune would not have occurred. Therefore, Roderigo demonstrates the dark side of human nature by being jealous and unintelligent. To conclude, the dark side of human nature is demonstrated by Iago who is selfish, Brabantio who is doubtful, and Roderigo who lacks cleverness. William Shakespeare’s Othello shows how easy it is to let emotions take over one’s mind.
Many references are made to animals in the play. The great majority of these are associated with unpleasant, cruel, painful sensations. These images originate with Iago, and are reflections of his mind and outlook. Iago has a degraded view of human nature. He finds no essential difference between men and beast.
