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Race and gender issues in othello
Race and gender issues in othello
How is racism and gender explored in the play othello
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The play introduces us to two characters Roderigo and Iago, which sets up the first external conflict of which Roderigo owes Iago money , “That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.” (Shakespeare, Act I) . Roderigo was referring to his payments to Iago in return Iago would get him his dream girl, Desdemona, which brings up another external conflict because Desdemona is married to the illustrious general Othello. Iago has some animosity towards Othello because Cassio got the job of lieutenant instead of himself. Iago instigates a fight between a drunken Cassio and Roderigo which results in Cassio being fired by Othello.
The sympathy felt for a character often remains through character revelation. In spite of the change in personality and morals the first impression of the character is not forgotten. Othello who commits violent acts throughout the play ends his life with honour, reminding us he was originally introduced as a respected man of high position. A person can be manipulated by others to act outside of their character, and their emotions can blind them from making good decisions. In the end a person’s true character is reflected upon the way they react to the results of their wrong doing.
Mercutio, in the fighting scene of Tybalt and himself, caused an unfortunate tragedy that could've been solved in many ways. One of the many reasons there is a massacre is when Mercutio's self-pride got to him before the fighting scene of the two of them. The Capulets and the Montagues have an everlasting hate for each other which had never been explained throughout the course of the story. This hate would so simplemindedly show even more hatred when an argument amongst the families was spoken about. When Mercutio says in the play, “A plague O’ both / your houses!”(3.1.67-68).
Emma Williams Mrs. Rettew English 10 5 May 2023 Abigail: The Victim of Trauma When speaking about trauma, no one says it better than Laurell K. Hamilton in her book Mistral’s Kiss. She states, “There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” In the drama The Crucible by Aurthur Miller, Abigail Williams is a young woman in Salem who is seemingly the villain of the town. All the accusations of witchcraft and the deaths are all pinned onto Abigail. Many people immediately blame Abigail for the havoc just because she is such an easy target, but is she really to blame?
Iago uses very clever methods of persuasion and manipulation aimed to use Othello’s hamartia against him, pointing out that “ “She (Desdemona) did deceive her father, marrying you,” so much so that Brabantio “thought ’twas witchcraft”. Through this, Iago is subtly raising the issues of Othello’s cultural differences with Desdemona; a root cause behind Othello’s insecurities with his wife – along with inadequacy due to race, degree of sophistication and age. As Iago prompts Othello to think the worst, his utterances are short and uneasy, revealing the beginning to his downfall, whilst Iago’s dialogue is at length highlighting his growing power of
In the beginning of the tragedy Othello tells Brabantio to “Keep up your bright swords signior, for the dew will rust them” (1.2.72-73). This statement gives the reader insight to Othello’s level-head and smart decisions, before he allowed jealousy to cloud his vision. Othello becomes convinced that Desdemona has cheated on him with Cassio; therefore, he is angered and beings to seek revenge for a crime that was never committed. Iago tells Othello “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (3.3.187-189).
Othello is aware that any threat he has would be overlooked because he is a high priority to the Duke of Venice. In Act 1 Scene 2, Othello mentions to Iago “My services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints”. This was lead by the comment which Iago stated related to the pursuing of Desdemona that brabantio is up to. This is a source to the stereotypical “ As a moor, Othello should succeed as officer in the military. This is actually scene moreso as a positive stereotype for Othello because he gains
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.
Brabantio shows how bothered and angry he is about losing desdemona to a moor. Brabantio is hurt, his daughter is left him without him even knowing it, and Brabantio is angry with Othello and tells him that his new wife will leave him as well. I have seen movies where the father is unhappy and distraught to see the man his daughter has chosen to be with. The next part of jealousy we see is right at the end of act I.III, when Iago begins to speak to himself and goes on to say why he truly hates Othello. “I hate the moor,/ and it is thought abroad, that
Othello’s character undergoes a significant change due to a series of events at the hands of Iago, the play’s antagonist to enhance the fact that even a valiant heroes can become corrupt. In the beginning of the play, Othello adores
Othello’s life transforms the second he steps into Cyprus. Iago’s motives are devastating as he plan’s to take Othello’s position, regardless of the cost. Iago plants the seed of deceit and unfaithfulness when he hints of an affair involving Othello’s love, Desdemona and Cassio. An overwhelming feeling of jealously takes a hold in Othello’s life. Othello is no longer the well spoken, and respected army general that everyone knew him to be, but instead a short tempered man with little respect for
Firstly, Shakespeare presents the crisis through the change in speech style, mostly significant in Othello before and after he gets manipulated by Othello. Othello and his identity as the General Armies of Venice to a puppet part of Iago’s show. In Act 1 Scene 3, in a scene whereby Brabantio attacked Othello with his guards and the Duke to arrest him. Despite having Brabantio repeatedly crude accusations at him he remained calm and
Othello carries himself well throughout all the situations he encounters always maintaining a level head and a respectful nature and words. Even though Barbantio is accusing Othello of stealing away Desdemona in a malicious way, Othello maintains a calm and respectful manner of speech and action. He manages to deliver his testimony whilst still speaking eloquently and without showing any offense towards his accusers. (I.III.91-97). Othello’s ability to remain calm and respectful throughout the entire ordeal with Barbantio demonstrates his qualities of being poised and polite.
In the beginning of the play, Othello is a good upstanding man. I know this because the Duke regards to Othello as Valiant (I,iii,56). Then as Iago manipulates him, he starts to become more aggressive and impulsive. For example, in act 3, scene 4, lines 103-114, Othello constantly calls for the handkerchief, until he storms out of the scene enraged. This shows how Othello starts to lose his calm and composure.
The exploitation of Othello’s race leads to the manipulation Roderigo, Cassio, Brabantio, the Venetians, and the audience to see Othello as inferior although, the only difference between him and the Venetians is his lineage. In the first act of the play, Iago and Roderigo go to Brabantio’s house to rile him out of his sleep. This is seen as the first step of defaming Othello’s character. The two
