Essay Comparing The Great Gatsby And Othello

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and William Shakespeare's Othello are two works of literature that, despite being written centuries apart, explore the societal influences on human emotions. The Great Gatsby is a novel set in the Roaring Twenties following the rise and fall of Jay Gatsby. His ambition and obsession to recapture Daisy, his lost love, reveals the reality of the American Dream. Othello is a tragedy written in the 17th century, telling the story of Othello, a Moor general in Venice, whose life is destroyed because of his flaws of jealousy and insecurity. The Great Gatsby and Othello both reveal the timeless relevance of the destructive structure of society through the impact of class and social status, the exploration of

In the Great Gatsby, Gatsby shows a relentless pursuit for a higher social status. This is shown through the lavish parties Gatsby holds that are filled with people who are like “moths among the whispering and the champagne and the stars.” (Fitzgerald, 39). By forming the comparison between the guests at Gatsby’s parties and moths, Fitzgerald highlights the shallow nature of these gatherings where people come without genuine connections but because of the materialistic ideals. The destruction caused by class and social status in society is also shown through the way Gatsby is perceived by the old class society. Despite Gatsby’s wealth and attempts to climb up the social ladder, Gatsby is constantly looked down upon, getting called “Mr. Nobody from Nowhere” (Fitzgerald, 123) by Tom Buchanan. Gatsby being seen as an outsider shows how the people who comprise society inclines to judgment and exclusion. Not only is Gatsby impacted by the class and social status, but George’s life is also destroyed. This is shown through the sign of T. J. Eckleburg, symbolizing the moral values stained by superficial

This obsession with materialism and superficial values Daisy has over love is shown through her choice to marry Tom and the choice at the hotel, as they are all based upon the values “of money [and] of unquestionable practicality.” On the contrary, Othello depicts love that is required. However, Othello’s lifelong jealousy and insecurities from living as an outsider influences Othello more than love. This is shown through how Othello is unable to withstand manipulation from others, especially when Iago mentions that Desdemona’s love towards Othello is against her nature as any “[o]f her own climate, complexion, and degree,” are naturally drawn to each other. This illuminates a society where love is based upon logic rather than emotions. Societal pressures and manipulations also poison Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Even without Iago’s manipulation, society sees their love as an act of “witchcraft” (Shakespeare, 1.3.74), done on Desdemona by Othello. Finally, Shakespeare shows the result of an obsession. Although Desdemona’s love is pure and unwavering, Othello’s jealousy destroys