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William Shakespeare's Othello

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Othello is a tragic play, written around 1603 by the english author William Shakespeare. Unlike other Shakespearean tragedies, this one focuses on the passions and private lives of the major characters: Othello, Desdemona, Iago and Cassio. The setting takes place in Venice however it moves to the island of Cyprus. It’s intended audience is Elizabethan londoners from different social classes. Othello or “the moor”, the main character, is a black general, admired for his leadership skills, and from Morocco. He falls in love with Desdemona, against Brabantio’s [her father] will. Iago, the antagonist, develops a hatred for Othello caused by him not getting chosen for lieutenant, added to his racism, that lead up to his revenge on the protagonist.
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796 Words | 4 Pages

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.

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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.

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1508 Words | 7 Pages

‘Othello’, written in 1603 by William Shakespeare, can also be titled ‘Othello, the Moor of Venice’. This brings into question the exact meaning of the word ‘Moor’. The

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1097 Words | 5 Pages

When people of one race believe themselves to be superior to those of another, only catastrophe can result. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, racism was extremely prevalent, and white supremacy was much more pronounced. In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, both covert and overt racism, assimilation, and jealous dispositions all foreshadow the untimely death of Desdemona and Othello. Most characters in Othello display both covert racism and overt racism towards Othello.

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1357 Words | 6 Pages

The character of Othello The main character in the play Othello ”Othello” written by William Shakespeare, is a respected general of the armies of Venice. He is not an native of Venice, but a Moor or North African. He is a powerful figure, respected by all those around him. The summary of Othello is about a young girl and a warrior falling in love with each other and they have to fight for their love, but when everything is going well a wicked man named Iago plans to break them apart so he made up a plan that would their marriage and get one or define more of them killed in the process.

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455 Words | 2 Pages

Reading “Othello the Moor of Venice” was a very interesting storyline. It bleatingly emphasizes the concept of race throughout the plot. Written by Shakespeare, thus is considered one of his best pieces of work. The story has been remastered and used in a variety of different contexts and published in movies and has inspired many plays. This play was written surrounding four characters; Othello, Desdemona, Lago, and Cassio.

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766 Words | 4 Pages

Iago uses Roderigo to inform Brabantio about the relationship his precious daughter Desdemona has with a moor Othello. Iago’s initial intention is the downfall of Othello and get the position, as a lieutenant, he wants. Throughout the play, Iago continuously manipulates Othello by showing him false proofs and telling him rumors about Desdemona and Cassio. “I know not that, but such a handkerchief - I am sure it was your wife’s -

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611 Words | 3 Pages

Othello, the main character, is a general in the Venetian Army who makes the decision to give the position to a man by the name of Cassio. After learning of this news, Iago becomes quite jealous and angered that he wasn’t the one chose. Trying to get back at Othello, Iago and Roderigo make a visit to see Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, about Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. In the end however, nothing came out of Iago’s quest to affect Othello as the Duke decided that no trickery was

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944 Words | 4 Pages

Using the character of Roderigo, Iago manipulates him into doing everything he wants. At the beginning of the tragedy, Iago and Roderigo are talking poorly about Othello. Roderigo, who is in love with Desdemona, is upset due to hearing that Othello and Desdemona have recently married. Iago, who just found out Othello did not give him

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931 Words | 4 Pages

The common aim of playwrights of any time or location is to capture and hold the attention of their audience; this is what Shakespeare has clearly done. The tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, is one of Shakespeare 's most renowned plays. Through construction of intriguing characters, exploration of universal themes, use of comic relief and a well-written script featuring a compelling plot, Shakespeare ensured the tragedy of Othello would hold the interest of the audience; despite being over four centuries old. It possesses so many conditions that can be accentuated to hit nerves with both a Shakespearean and modern audience. The entire plot of Othello is very much like the attitudes and methods of our modern day society.

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665 Words | 3 Pages

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

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436 Words | 2 Pages

Iago is a unique and complicated character. He is intelligent in that he is able to manipulate people and events in his favour, which he thrives on throughout the play, classifying him as the antagonist of the play. Driven by jealousy and hatred, Iago plots against Othello to destroy his character and reputation. Knowing that if he foolishly attacked such a respected man directly, he would be sentenced to death. As a result, he devises to use other people to obtain what he desires by influencing the characters in the play to suit his plan.

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333 Words | 2 Pages

William Shakespeare is one of the most well-known writers of his time, and continues to be a famous one even today. Even though he wrote in the 16th century, his works are still widely appreciated. It was the neologisms, his masterful way of characterization, and his natural usage of language that shaped him as a permanent figure of the English Literature. Shakespeare reached the peak of his dramatic art with his tragedies, especially with “Othello”. “Othello” had and still has the ability to thrill the reader with its themes of love, marriage, honesty, mistrust, race, and honor, and the ability to captivate the audience when staged.

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773 Words | 4 Pages

In William Shakespeare’s Othello the two main characters are Iago and Othello. The entire story centers around Iago 's plan to achieve revenge on Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant. Throughout the story Iago tries to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona has cheated on him with his lieutenant Cassio. Iago’s plan is successfully and easily executed. Othello is tricked into believing that desdemona has been unfaithful and in the end he kills her.

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982 Words | 4 Pages

As a scheming villain, Iago begins to ensnare Othello into his trap of vengeance by echoing in Othello’s mind prospect of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago begins his insinuations by reminding Othello that Cassio served as their go-between during their courtship through a rhetorical

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