ipl-logo

Othello Quote Analysis

394 Words2 Pages
Weekly Response: Othello Throughout Othello Shakespeare is able to pontificate about how it is often found that appearance is more highly valued than character, yet character is far more significant. This concept is epitomized when the Duke says to Brabantio, “And, noble signior / If virtue no delighted beauty lack / Your son-in-law is far more fair than black,” (1.3.284-286). In this quote the Duke is saying that if it is by the soul which people are judged then Othello is far more beautiful then he is black, for his virtue is far more prevalent than the color of his skin. When Brabantio goes on to ignore this advice, it is obvious how the characters of Othello ignorantly allow their perceptions of appearances to outweigh the true nature
Show More
Related
1359 Words | 6 Pages

Othello: A Close Reading This is an analysis of the lines 260-279 of the third scene of the third act of Shakespeare’s Othello. In an attempt to fulfill the incessant need for comfortable dichotomies, societies tend to be divided into two groups: the ‘in-crowd’ and the ‘others’. These strict dualities, constructed upon the inherent need for adversaries, are often as arbitrary as they are false and based on nothing but fear.

Read More
986 Words | 4 Pages

The inevitable human desire for power and its prevalence across all sectors of society is exemplified throughout the Tempest in the parallel narratives of the low-status characters Stephano and Trinculo and the high-status characters Antonio and Sebastian. However, their unrightful claim to a position of power in conjunction with their ineptitude is illustrated through Shakespeare’s portrayal of these characters as arrogant and foolish. With the setting of the island acting as a reflection of one’s nature, Antonio’s perception that the island is “indeed tawny” highlights his arrogant nature as his preconceived ideas of native land leads him to be unable to see beauty on island. Also, the derogatory language of “A pox o’your throat, you bawling blasphemous, uncharitable dog” and the insensitivity in the callous tone of “he receives comfort like cold porridge” highlights Sebastian’s arrogant and rude disposition, thus rejecting their system of values and exemplifying the unworthiness of corrupted individuals towards a position of

Read More
341 Words | 2 Pages

Shakespeare often uses dramatic irony in order to let the audience know something that the character doesn’t. Othello’s character is the epitome of dramatic irony. The novel frequently returns to situations in which the characters use irony, an example being the many times that Othello puts his trust in Iago. Iago is two-faced due to his jealousy of Michael Cassio, who gets the role of Othello’s lieutenant, rather than Iago, who is stuck being the ancient. It was also mentioned later that not only Iago hates Othello due to jealousy, but also because “...it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets/’Has done my office.”

Read More
749 Words | 3 Pages

The film O has many similar elements from the original play othello. It was transferred into different situations and setting. Many characters in O have a counterpart to othello. Odin to Othello, Desi to Desdemona, Hugo to Iago, Emily to Emilia, Roger to Roderigo, and Michael Cassio to Cassio. The setting of the story takes place from a city venice to an elite prep school in the south.

Read More
1063 Words | 5 Pages

Othello is decidedly not a racist work and Othello is a decidedly racist work, though — as contradicting as it seems — not simultaneously. It contains racist material, reactions and perhaps stereotypes of its characters’ creed but the work itself is not racist. The audience’s application of the material is the final step to complete the work and reactions have varied through the years. A modern audience may recognize the racist tones while a 16th century audience may not bat an eye at any of the situations and actions; not out of agreement but ignorance and undeveloped prejudice. Considering both Shakespeare’s play and its source material, the titular character’s own actions and relationships, and the changing view of racism opposed to prejudice, Othello cannot be simply defined as black or white.

Read More
622 Words | 3 Pages

In Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello opens with beautiful, eloquent language. He speaks in long monologues full of figurative language as he expresses his deep love for Desdemona. Desdemona claims that she originally fell in love with Othello because of his eloquent speech and mannerisms. However, when Iago uses the power of language to convince Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity, Othello looses his beautiful way of speech. When Othello looses his language he also looses his power over himself, and over others.

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

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).

Read More
1305 Words | 6 Pages

In my free time, I like to produce my podcast. I call my podcast Doing the Most With Vago. The best way to describe it is a mix of old time radio and modern day irreverence. The topics that are covered by the show are often niche or otherwise unusual aspects of news, politics, history and the sciences. Oftentimes, I get my friends to co-host with me.

Read More
950 Words | 4 Pages

An excerpt of Act 1, Scene 1 (Lines 110-112) explores this concept when Iago exclaims “Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you.” Shakespeare cleverly incorporates animalistic imagery to showcase the role that race has in a society and its effect on an individual’s social standing. Iago uses his relationships to manipulate those around him and convey his dehumanisation of Othello, expressing his true perception of him and exhibiting his hatred towards him, as it shows what lengths he will go to in order to take revenge on Othello. His belief that he is entitled to Othello’s promotion angers him when he finds out that he is not the promoted one; rather it is Cassio, as he reflects on the military experience he has in comparison. Though Othello is a general that serves Venice, Iago disrespects him and refers him to derogatory terms such as “The Moor” because of his race.

Read More
1296 Words | 6 Pages

Words are not always interpreted by the audience as the speaker had intended. Certain words could have multiple connotations that could change the context of the word from being a praise or a nickname to a slur or an insult. In literature, there are many examples, some controversial, of words not being taken how they are meant or just the use of such words in general. In novels such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Othello, words such as the “Nigger” and “Moor” are used in such fashion to either discriminate, praise, or a blend of the two to make certain characters of color stand out amongst the other characters. The use of words that could bring up a negative connotation such as “Moor” in Othello and “Nigger” in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, should be used in educational facilities to teach students of the past so that the nation and its citizens can move past

Read More
986 Words | 4 Pages

Fast forward to the 21st century, where phrases like, “thick lipped” and “sooty bosom”, become derogatory phrases with hundreds of years of African dehumanization, slavery, and oppression. As a result, the reader will look further into the way characters in Othello describe Othello than Shakespeare intended. To keep racial tension at Bay, while still keeping Othello as an outsider, the origin of his character should be changed. Unfortunately, the connotation of words that describe African people are negative, and even without these terms there's no way to get around the history that comes with a Othello being a black man. However if everything the stayed same, it would add to the tesnsions between Othello's character and the other characters, and the complexity of the

Read More
732 Words | 3 Pages

Othello is an outsider in Cypress because he is a black man surrounded by white ethnicity and this creates his low self-esteem. For example, Othello states “haply for I am black, and have not those soft parts of conversation” (3.3265-266). Othello is not proud to be black and wishes he were white since he believes his servants are not treating him with respect due to his skin tone. Othello suspiciously never seems to question or resist racism and the effect renders him to the white viewer at the cost of the color of his skin. Not only is Othello insecure about his race, but that he is older than the men and women around him.

Read More
494 Words | 2 Pages

As humans we all have been where rumors have been spread about us or where we do the opposite. They, however, all tend to do some harm to us and it can cause certain conflicts to occur during the process. Death can be the outcome of something like this because this did happen to three innocent people. They were all wrapped up in a bed of lies that ended their lives sooner than expected. Thesis statement: Othello Desdemona and Emilia ended up with unfortunate deaths because of Othello 's integrity towards Iago.

Read More
921 Words | 4 Pages

Drama Character Reports (English 102) From Othello, evaluate the character OTHELLO for the themes of pride, jealousy and love. Othello is one of the leading and main characters of the play. He is an eloquent speaker and holds the position of general in the army of Venice.

Read More
351 Words | 2 Pages

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.

Read More

More about Othello Quote Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document