... twelve years. These performances took place at many places, often at the Globe Theater, or elsewhere before royalty. The first recorded production of Othello was in 1604, at the Banquetting House in Whitehall before King James I (Barnet, 217). There are also references to the play being performed ... stark contrast to modern Shakespearean productions, many of which must make the play understandable to someone who has no idea what it is about. Salvini's Othello is described as very "African", again portraying the violent, aggressive side of the lead character. His was described as an "ani...

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... is no chance in breaking up the marriage, but Iago assures him that "blood is made dull with the act of sport," she will lose interest in Othello and seek sexual satisfaction elsewhere. (II.i.222) Iago leads him to believe Des will cheat with Cassio, to deter this Iago tells Roderigo he must start ... Emilia secretly picks up and gives to Iago to start a plan of devastation. Iago then plants the handkerchief in Cassio's room as evidence of the affair. Othello demands "ocular proof that Des is cheating." (III.iii.365) Iago mentions that he has seen Cassio "wipe his beard" (III.iii.444) wit...

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... wealthy woman. Obviously, Shakespeare uses black man for the role of important character. Besides, Shakespeare creates a romantic relationship between black and white (Othello & Desdemona) but most people think that their relationship is wrong. At the time the play was written, 1604, even the Queen of ... England was associated with evil and wickedness. Therefore, in theatres blacks were usually portrayed as stereotyped wicked guys. But it is different in "Othello". Othello as a character portrayed in a different way. He is in higher position which is not common in those times. He is a c...

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... high places. This represents a class struggle for social positions yet again. Thus Iago's main motive is revenge against the Moorish military general Othello who didn't promote him, as well as the captain Cassio who, despite the lack of qualifications got the promotion. Cassio's lack of ... wants - Desdemona is merely an object to him, despite the love he has for her and vice versa. Even on her dying breath Desdemona defends Othello. When Emilia demands "O, who hath done this deed?- Desdemona responds "Nobody - I myself- [5.2.124-125] consequently condemning herself to an eternity in ....

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... wooed my lady, Know of your love?" or by muttering under his breath, "Ha, I like not that," when Cassio visits Desdemona. Iago warns Othello, "Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio." Shakespeare intensifies Iago's manipulative techniques as he begins to use words like "cuckhold," personifying animalistic ... an animalistic, malicious monster who uses Iago's bestial vocabulary. While one can consider Iago the sole cause of Othello's downfall, cause can also be found within Othello himself. It is Othello's intrinsic internal flaws of jealousy, naivety, inability to judge charact...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... provides a figure to the significant emotion of jealousy, relative to not only Elizabethan societies, but societies of all eras. Thus, Iago is accusing Othello of being jealous, however through this, he is ironically depicting his own situation, shown in his dialogue "I confess it is my nature ... the constraints of the great chain of being. Thus, true to his statement, Iago aims to be the catalyst in the downfall of Othello, foreshadowed when he states, "I follow him to serve my turn upon him". However, as observed by critic Thomas Bowman, ... truth and integrity, thus it is outrageous ...

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... trust under influences of deception, the nature of pride to be replaced by irrational jealousy and how love is vulnerable to societal influences. Because of these messages, 'Othello' remains relevant to readers through time and age. Through Iago's foul play and deceptive conduct, Shakespeare demonstrates how duplicity fosters misplaced trust and subsequently abuses the innocent. ... I challenge that I may profess due to the Moor my lord' in defence against Brabantio's anger demonstrates how the patriarchal expectations of the Elizabethan context strengthens her faith in Othello. How...

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• Grade Level: Graduate

... Furthermore, Roderigo is also a victim of jealousy. Rodrigo is a jealous suitor of Desdemona, he believes that such pure and faithful women should not marry Othello. "What a full fortune does the thicklips owe If he can carry't thus" (I.I. 63-37). Rodrigo is a rich man in loved ... The fact that Iago was not promoted, he starts to announce his accomplishment to make him feel better, not to mention he thinks that Othello's choices are not the best option. Shakespeare proves how jealousy and arrogance consist of disapproval or outright criticism. The last character that represent ego ......

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... on how they are manipulated, in this instance through his complete trust towards 'honest' Iago. This is shown through the deterioration of Othello's language from confident and dignified, "Most potent, grave and reverend signors/My very noble and approved good masters," presenting him ... and love for Desdemona, through Iago's manipulation have overpowered his reasoning as every thought, word and action is driven by jealousy. Ironically, Iago, warns Othello, "O beware, my lord, of jealousy: It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on" (3.3.170-171 ... stealing...

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... reader by a deceitful Iago. Convincing Rodrigo, other characters and perhaps the reader that their love could only be the result of some spell cast by Othello to usurp her love. Iago spins on his web of deceit. Desdemona's love is not true. It is the result of some magic. Twisting ... reality Iago convinces them and the result is death. The story begins. Branbanzio confronts Othello. " .O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter? Dammed as thou art, thou hast enchanted her, for I"ll refer me to all things ... involuntary reaction to the situations. Maybe if he says what he thi...

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... values that Shakespeare reveals through the text are those same attitudes and values of Elizabethan society in England in the sixteenth-century. Although Othello is set in Venice and Cyprus, the attitudes and values shared in the text are probably reflective of the attitudes and values of ... gender are also revealed in the portrayal of women and their actions in the text. A prime example of this is when Desdemona elopes with Othello without her father's permission, which during that time would have been socially unacceptable. This is revealed to us through Brabantio's reaction as Shakes...

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... losing faith in his wife, and that he takes people at face value. Neither of these traits can be in any way linked to his race. Othello is made to be a black man in the play for visual presentation and to add inner turmoil to his character. His character is isolated both physically ... the audience that he is alone. His blackness is not so much a character trait than it is a vehicle for Shakespeare to quickly let his audience know that Othello does not fit in. The second character that was created by Shakespeare as a black man was Aaron. Aaron is one of the "bad guys" in Shakespeare ... i...

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... general and heroic figure whose "free and open nature" will enable Iago to twist his love for his wife Desdemona into a powerful jealousy. Iago is Othello's ensign, and Shakespeare's greatest villain. His public face of bravery and honesty conceals a Satanic delight in manipulation and destruction. Passed over for a ... a daughter of a Senator, but can he keep her? The seizure of the handkerchief is a great coup for Iago in his quest to destroy Othello, and he is aided by his wife, who apparently has no scruples about betraying her mistress in small matters. Shakespeare will eventually t...

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... talking to Roderigo. He says "I follow him to serve my turn upon him" to show his feelings and he then tells Roderigo to inform Brabantio of Othello's marriage to his daughter, Desdemona. In the original text Shakespeare uses animal imagery, "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe", as well as ... that have been used to help show the cinematic language and the ideas that Shakespeare conveys in the original text. The second theme in the text "Othello" is that of the moral and immoral behaviours of characters. Every character has moral and immoral behaviours but none are more noticeab...

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... , is the only person, in fact, to know this previously; Iago tells Roderigo that he is "not what [he is]" (I, i, 69). He possesses this jealousy because he is distressed that Othello chose Michael Cassio, a "valiant" (II, i, 98), "Florentine arithmetician" (I, i, 19-20), over himself for the position of lieutenancy. Jealousy "divorces [Iago] from rationality", Godfrey states (418). This loss of rational ... "Temptation Scene" (III, iii). Even though Iago produces a minimal amount of proof, a "handkerchief that Iago may have seen Cassio wipe his beard with, and Cassio's alleged dreams" (G...

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... make him what he is. Act 3 Scene 3 line 265 "haply for I am black and, and have not those soft parts of conversation that chamberers have ." Othello believes that he has done everything correctly till that point in time and consequently takes pride in this. His reputation is pristine, and as a result is well respected ... exactly how he played it; he mixed around with the moor's emotions and planted a seed that evolved into a deadly weed. It was the thought in Othello that Desdemona would prefer a man other than him, and do it so openly with no fear of the outcome that terrified him the ...

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... to the point where he begins to plot Oden's destruction. Roderigo is played by a wealthy prep, whom as in the play has feelings for Othello's girlfriend. His sane is Roger. Cassio's part is played by a basketball player named Mike who rivals Oden's skill but still has strong friendship ... friendship after a brawl with Roger which was instigated by Hugo. The result of the brawl was Mike's suspension from the basketball team. Shakespeare's "Othello" is very similar in that Hugo uses Roger's passion for Dessy to his benefit in his plan for Oden's destruction. Mike is also used as ... hi...

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... Iago. However, as the first scene progresses the tone and implications of Iago's speech become darker and more menacing, as he reveals that "I follow [Othello] to serve my turn upon him". The audience becomes aware of the fact that Iago may not be who he is first perceived to be as they ... spoken warning, "I am not what I am". Indeed, as the first act unfolds Iago begins to reveal the malevolence of his character and his deep hatred for Othello, "Now sir, be judge yourself/ Whether I in any just term am affined/ To love the Moor". Iago's intrigues are carefully planned and expertly per...

• Word Count: 799
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... can either control lives or be controlled. Let loose, these tendencies can cause both happiness and death without notice. In William Shakespeare's Othello, Othello's nature and personality make him an easy target for Iago's villainy. The nature of trust is the act of putting all faith in someone to ... , to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong him. This it is, general (II, iii, 214-217) Shakespeare uses harsh, graphic images to naturally make Othello believe Iago. If someone is willing to have their tongue cut from their mouth, then they must be telling the truth. Shakespeare also uses som...

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... Hecatommithi describes a rather familiar situation in which a Moorish Captain marries a beautiful woman Desdemona and is plotted against by his jealous ensign. Shakespeare's Othello is very closely related to this tragedy, the only major differences being that it has been condensed and dramatized. The characters are all given names ... public figure he is a man of high stature and he is commanding of the trust and respect of many. However as a man Othello is socially inept and his emotions are driven by his many insecurities. As the play progresses we can see that within the Moor are ...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... , kind and respected black man, in service to the Venetian state, who recently married Desdemona, the Venetian senator Brabantio's daughter. Interestingly, Othello does not make an appearance until Act I scene ii, where Shakespeare uses his first appearance to contradict the audience's expectations that were developed ... submissive to the dominant power holding group in society (i.e. those who are white). When considered on its own, the first half of Othello would be a remarkably radical text for its time, in the way in which Shakespeare challenges the dominant meaning systems of a Jacob...

• Word Count: 1558
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... losing faith in his wife, and that he takes people at face value. Neither of these traits can be in any way linked to his race. Othello is made to be a black man in the play for visual presentation and to add inner turmoil to his character. His character is isolated both physically ... the audience that he is alone. His blackness is not so much a character trait than it is a vehicle for Shakespeare to quickly let his audience know that Othello does not fit in. The second character that was created by Shakespeare as a black man was Aaron. Aaron is one of the "bad guys" in Shakespeare ... i...

• Word Count: 1882
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• Grade Level: High School

... presentation of being a corrupt person. He is one of Shakespeare's most romantic heroes. This is partly due to the strange life of war and adventure he has lived since childhood. Othello is solemn, self-controlled, and steeled by the experience of countless perils, hardships, and vicissitudes. He has complete confidence in himself; so much that he is unrivaled. He proves this ... with his admirable restraint with Brabantio's charge of witchcraft. Othello is honest and very trusting. His trust is absolute, which is a misjudgment with Iago. Othello is a Christian and is very much in love ...

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... honesty can affect you greatly and every solitary day. This idea was one of the most specific and open parts of the plot of William Shakespeare's Othello. In the play Shakespeare gives us brilliant insight as to what can happen as a result of believing and trusting in the honesty and words of ... others. Though they might seem sincere, he seems to say, everyone has their own agenda. The three characters: Iago, Desdemona, and Othello himself all seemed to view honesty and moral values in their own personal ways; some were deserving of trust, some not. "O, that's an honest fellow" ... wif...

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... These negative traits are considered innate weaknesses in human composition. Weaknesses in human nature, such as self-interest, jealousy, and lust, are all demonstrated in Othello. Iago is considered the main villain of the play, and in knowing of these certain human weaknesses, he uses them to his own advantage. At ... unavoidable weaknesses in human nature and their consequences. Iago performs his evil doings for self-interest and brings this innate desire of bettering oneself out in Othello as part of his plan. Iago claims to "hate the Moor"(I.III.380), yet, "for the necessity of pres...

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• Grade Level: High School