As in Oedipus the King, a major theme in Othello is man's inability to reliably distinguish between what seems to be and what; however, this shared theme of "uncertain vision" is treated somewhat differently in Othello than it is in Oedipus the King. ... In Othello however the reason both for the tragedy and the "uncertain vision" has a name, Iago. ... In other words Othello acts before investigating the issue just a little further and will not listen to reason. ... Furthermore in Othello there is another very important factor, Iago. Namely, Iago gets the idea at the very beginning o...

• Word Count: 1353
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Iago With the character of Iago, Othello presents the reader/viewer with an image of absolute malice. ... He is the main driving force in this play, pushing Othello and everyone else towards their tragic end. ... When trying to work Othello to his purpose, he is proportionally guarded, insidious, dark, and deliberate. ... Though the most inveterate liar, Iago inspires all of the play's characters the trait that is most lethal to Othello: trust. Iago's mode of temptation, then, is to persuade Othello to regard himself with the eyes of Venice. ...

• Word Count: 439
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Tragic Heroism in Tess of the D'Urbervilles In tragedy the reader often sympathizes and empathizes with the protagonist who attains "wisdom through suffering." Tess Durbeyfield, in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a protagonist who elicits the sympathy of the reader as she suffers, acts...

• Word Count: 380
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate