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Emotional Confusion In Othello

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All cherished pieces of literature share an ability to evoke real emotion in their audience. Readers and spectators are never merely witnessing a series of events; they develop a substantial emotional investment in the characters and plot that unfold before their eyes. With this emotional investment comes jubilation and despair. The audience travels an emotional journey with the characters and becomes part of the story. Often this emotional connection births an important literary phenomenon. How does an audience member react when a beloved character, who they stood beside through turmoil, commits an unspeakable act? Though from a moral standpoint, repulsion should be the initial reaction, often audience members find themselves in a heartbreaking state of sympathy. In “Othello” by William Shakespeare, the cherished male figure does just this, and audience members are shocked by their emotional confusion in the wake of the story. Shakespeare is quite deliberate in his language and plot throughout the story. It is vital that the audience’s emotional …show more content…

They are faced with the thrill of new love, pain of deception, and sickly suspicion of greed. As Iago calculates his intricate betrayal and acts as the facilitator of tragedy, readers are struck with the horror of an act so easily prevented. Conversations repeatedly take place between characters that are unaware of the rising tension between them. Cassio speaks of business with Iago, Othello continues to confide in Iago, Emilia aids Iago, and Desdemona innocently loves Othello. During each one of these numerous altercations, there is utter peace on stage, yet every audience member must fight the urge to run to the characters and inform them of their impending doom. Shakespeare, through these intimate conversations, weaves a web of emotional confusion between characters and audience members

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