... seems unfair that her untainted nature should be subject to the baseless evil of Iago. This is further accentuated when she says that, '[H]e left part of his grief with me/ To suffer with him.' This line also highlights the purity of and sympathy that Desdemona harbours which further inclines the ... request. Desdemona then reminds Othello of how Cassio helped Othello in his wooing of her. This information is news to the audience and it paints the courtship between Othello and Desdemona in an entirely new light as it shows that Othello was helped in his efforts to win Desdemona. Th...

• Word Count: 1258
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... , hints, and euphemize. At one point of the conversation Jig ponders on how things would be if she does go through with the abortion: "And if I do it you'll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?... But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants ... window the devastation slowly began to vanish: "But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought." (Chopin 33). The way Lo...

• Word Count: 2229
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... from the upper class Venetians, this difference arousing Desdemona's compassion towards him. In the jury scene in Act 3 Scene 1 Othello says "She swore, in faith, twas strange, 'twas passing strange she wish'd ,
That heaven had made her such a man: she bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, 
I should but teach him how to tell my story. And that would woo her. Upon ... . He says "Haply, for I am black And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have, or for I am declined Into the vale of years,--yet that's not much-- She's gone" . From this quote we begin to s...

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... Iago discusses with Desdemona and Cassio how little he thinks of his wife when he says, "Sir, would she give you so much of her lips As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, You would have enough," (II i lines 100-103) while standing directly in front of Emilia. These ... fair job of showing love through their actions. Desdemona's love for Othello was so strong and pure that when asked who was to blame for her murder she exclaims the fault is "nobody – I myself. Farewell," (V ii line 125). While Desdemona had such strong love for Othello up until ... previously discussed, Emilia was n...

• Word Count: 1300
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... is told that he is to go to Cyprus, and Desdemona is asked for her opinion on the matter, she explains that: If I be left behind/ A moth of peace, and he go to war/ The rites for why I love him are bereft me Let me go with him. (I,iii) Initially, Desdemona is portrayed as a confident, competent and independent woman. Not only that but ... she is married to a black man. She conflicts with the Jacobean audience's assumption that as a woman she should be passive and far more obedient towards men. Desdemona maintains these qualities up ... abuse their husbands/ In such gross kind?-. On her...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... to use her voice to confront the patriarchy to get what she wants: " A moth of peace, and he goes to the war, The rites for which I love him are bereft me And I a heavy interim shall support By his dear absence. Let me go with him" Desdemona does not want to remain behind ... while her new husband ventures off to Cyprus to fight against the Turks. Desdemona's desire to be with her husband pressures her to stand against the patriarchy and speak for what she wants instead of being told what ... 's death and at the end of the film when the tragedy has subsided. Desdemona sings the "Willow S...

• Word Count: 944
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... respectful towards both her father and her lover, Othello, and even when accused of cheating by Othello and being slapped, she still upholds her respectful demeanour. In O however, Desi's part in the relationship between herself and Odin is more equal and when accused of cheating ... , she stands up for herself, threatening their relationships if Odin does not respect her, "if you want to be with me, don't ever speak to me like that again!" Emilia's role is also challenged in the context of O ... friendship, stays ultimately true to her duties. In O however, Emilia's character is adapte...

• Word Count: 1144
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... jealousy used on Othello, it is ironic that it is Iago whom he asks to get the poison, as if he is the master in these sneaky, deceitful ways, "get me some poison Iago; this night." Othello's jealousy is a growing poison throughout the play, planted by Iago it turns him from an honorable general, forgiving and benevolent in his approach to ... the handkerchief for him, even then he gives a backhanded compliment, "a good wench; give it to me." As Cassio kisses Emilia Iago jealousy comments "would she give you so much of her lips As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, you would have enou...

• Word Count: 1529
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... the beginning when the classically blonde character of Desdemona betrays her father to marry Othello, after all "if thou hast eyes to see. She deceived her father." 1.3, 95 This is one of those things that really just makes me angry, Shakespeare tries to use the tool of foreshadowing but misses the mark pitifully. At any rate this frankly shows one of the ... , "That handkerchief thou speak'st of I found by fortune and did give to my husband." 5.2, 232 This to me was the ultimate betrayal because Emilia had said she would never betray her husband, unless it was for the world, and in the ...

• Word Count: 659
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... instigator of the downfall of Othello. Iago says that Othello will be, "as tenderly led by the nose as assess are," and sets out to, "make him thank me, love me and reward me for making him egregiously an ass." Iago manifests self-doubt within Othello and the belief that Desdemona, Othello's wife, is cheating on him with Cassio his friend. Iago sparks ... her well with Cassio." Shakespeare intensifies Iago's manipulative techniques as he begins to use words like "cuckhold," personifying animalistic imagery and thoughts like, "She did deceive her father, marrying you, and when she seemed...

• Word Count: 854
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... peace". From this the audience would have arrived at a conclusion Desdemona was independent and a strong character not fragile like a moth. In the speech she confesses her love for Othello in a appropriate and well rehearsed manor presenting a logical and precise account "I do perceive here a divided duty I am ... preferring you before her farther". In this speech Desdemona shows initiative using her fathers own experience against him. Desdemona also shows independence as she does not try to blame Othello once and takes responsibility herself. After Desdemona's first speech Brabantio is i...

• Word Count: 1261
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... in Othello's and Brabantio's speeches, depicting her as a possession which is fought over by men. The dehumanizing statements such as "she is stolen from me" and "I won her daughter" further evokes the Elizabethan paradigm. In O, the parallel scene is constructed to be much less ... the protagonists' supreme motivation to kill Desdemona is to maintain justice and order. Under fear that Desdemona will "betray more men" if she doesn't die, Othello ends her life to fulfill his honor as a respectable general. Despite his intense love for Desdemona, which in personification is ... a wife is...

• Word Count: 1401
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... in the opening scene where Brabantio describes that he has been 'robb(ed)' when he realises that his daughter Desdemona has run off with Othello, exclaiming that she has been 'stol'n from me.' The roles of a woman during the 1600s was to follow her husband or father's commanding orders ( 'I am obedient') and were often caught between their own desires ... describes him as 'handsome, young' and 'devilish knaved' in great detail. He confesses to Othello that Cassio had 'kiss(ed) me hard laid his leg o'er my thigh and sigh(ed) and kiss(ed) (me more).' Shakespe...

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... napkin, This was her first remembrance from the Moor My wayward husband hath a hundred times Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token" (III.iii 294). Based on Emilia's utterance, she claims to be "glad " to have found the handkerchief is surprising, for many people would probably ... of evidence might drag Othello into emotional dilemma. However, Emilia is entirely blind by the situation of getting her husband's heart; she realizes that the handkerchief can provide her the opportunity to smoothen the relationship with Iago. Emilia perceives herself as the passive recipient of ......

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... however, despite proposals from various suitors and public discouragement, continues her pursuit of Othello, and marries him. Although she is " bound [to her father] for life and education- , she affirms her belief that she belongs with Othello, and has such great love for him, so much that "a heave interim shall support his ... questions her, we again see her strong sense of devotion, pleading for his trust rather than vehemently defending herself. "I hope my noble lord esteems me honest Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?" However, her faith in Othello is so strong that it underm...

• Word Count: 645
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... however, despite proposals from various suitors and public discouragement, continues her pursuit of Othello, and marries him. Although she is " bound [to her father] for life and education- , she affirms her belief that she belongs with Othello, and has such great love for him, so much that "a heave interim shall support his ... questions her, we again see her strong sense of devotion, pleading for his trust rather than vehemently defending herself. "I hope my noble lord esteems me honest Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?" However, her faith in Othello is so strong that it underm...

• Word Count: 655
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... in his speech. The fact that he does not realise this emphasizes that he is susceptible of letting his insecurities get the better of him, something which Iago plays on constantly. We see Othello regain composure during his speech in Act 5. The speech preceding his suicide emphasizes Othello's true nature; ... as a "toad" in a "dungeon". In Act IV, scene 2, he compares Desdemona to a "reservoir for foul toads, To knot and gender in," and says that she is as honest "as summer flies are in the shambles."" Othello's comment, "'tis the plague of great ones," emphasizes that he finds comfort ...

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Another weakness of Othello is his lack of trust in his wife. He tries to persuade himself that Desdemona is faithful by saying, " For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago/ I"ll see before I doubt; " Othello stills allows Iago to deceive him, based on no accurate evidence, merely observation, " Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio." This ... he gave his wife. The handkerchief symbolises Desdemona's love and when it is lost Othello believes that Desdemona gave the handkerchief to Cassio and thinks she is in love with Cassio (due to Iago's manipulation), "Fetch me the handkerchief. M...

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... so guilty-like". Here Iago suggests that Desdemona is being unfaithful, which does not adhere to Elizabethan values; the era valued truth and integrity, thus it is outrageous that she would be unfaithful. This ultimately allows Iago to plant a seed of doubt in Othello's mind, which subsequently consumes him. Therefore, I believe Shakespeare effectively reflects the contextual concerns of manipulation through ... jealousy, manipulation, and reputation and honour germane to his era, and this can be seen to resonate with modern audiences. Ultimately, through my critical study of Othello, S...

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... or jealousy." Othello tries to deny his suspicion, doubt and sexual jealousy towards Cassio and Desdemona. But this jealousy leads to self-destruction. "It isn't words that sake me thus! Pish! Noses ears, and lips! Is't possible? Confess? Handkerchief? O devil! He Falls," This scene is the beginning of Othello's self-destruction and the stage where his sexual jealousy ... he publicly humiliates her in front of the Venetian messengers. Othello physically abuses Desdemona, calling her "devil! O devil, devil! If that earth could teem with woman's tear, each drop she falls would prove a cro...

• Word Count: 723
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... Jacobean era, reputation and honor had utmost importance due to its influence in social standing. Thus, egotistical natures grew as shown in Iago's foreshadowing 'in personal suit to make me his lieutenant, off-capped to him' where he expresses his hatred and hints towards his 'monstrous' plans. Othello's own pride and ego is revealed through the repetitive use of ... the effects of pride smothering the Moor's just qualities. Relationship issues that individuals all grapple with led to Othello's tragedy. His lines prior to Desdemona's murder 'yet she must die, else she'll...

• Word Count: 981
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

To describe Othello is a very hard task, as it can be perceived many different ways. To me, it is a malleable game of betrayal and jealousy, two big, main points that poison the play itself. I greatly admire the way Iago brings out all of the other characters" secrets ... character who can't be analyzed in simple terms. Like many people you meet, Iago can be mysterious and baffling. Just when you think you understand him, he does or says something completely mystifying. I wonder if its because Iago loves evil for evil's sake, he is motivated by his jealousy of Cassio and Othello, or he's mot...

• Word Count: 535
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... not to mention humorously, in the following masterful passage written by Bernard Levin: "If you cannot understand my argument, and declare 'It's Greek to me', you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you ... the devil his due - if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I were dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a sto...

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... hearing Iago's generalizations about a woman's sexuality, Desdemona asks Iago to describe a "deserving woman", someone who had no reason to worry about what anyone said about her. Iago responds: She that was ever fair and never proud, Had tongue at will and yet was never loud, Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay, Fled from her wish and yet ... fools and chronicle small beer. (2.1.146-158) This "perfect woman" goes against the very nature of the generalized woman whom Iago describes in the previous arguments. She is the perfect woman because she submits, rather than resists, to the ...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... the main focus now lies upon Hedda Tesman better known as Hedda Gabler, who as the title suggests is the protagonist, she is also the most deceptive and controlling character within the play. She does not care for anyone, but herself. Hedda manipulates her husband as well as others around her for her own ... boredom "I am bored, I tell you!" Hedda's boredom most likely stems from the fact that she is a women in the Victorian era and lacks many rights and freedoms. So in order to entertain herself she manipulates those around her. Hedda tends to find ways to make others confess to her de...

• Word Count: 802
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate