... both in an insider and an outsider in the Venetian community. He's allowed to see what life is like on the inside because of his status as Christian and being a commanding general in the army. However, due to his race and his being a foreigner outside of Venice, Othello can feel like he isn't really a part of the community. So, even from ... of the Venetian Army appointed by Othello himself. An important question to ask for this section of the play is, how could the good-hearted, brave Othello automatically assume his loving wife is cheating? The answer is simple, complete manipulation ...

• Word Count: 1345
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography

... an undying love, despite faults and weaknesses. Desdemona also shows her emotional side in the aforementioned internal conflict between her father and Othello. She has grown up being a faithful and loving daughter to her father, giving him her allegiance at all times. Now, however, she has this new relationship and commitment to her new husband and she is torn. The greatest ... of being what she is not, a whore. Her death is very symbolic as it represents the premature ending of the very principles that everyone's life is based on. With Othello killing these values (i.e. chastity, love,...

• Word Count: 1594
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

"Othello, protagonist and tragic hero" Othello, written by William Shakespeare is the story of Othello, the protagonist and tragic hero of the play. A Moor commanding the armies of Venice, he is a celebrated general and heroic figure whose "free and open nature" will enable Iago to twist his love for his wife Desdemona into a powerful jealousy. ... triumphant, named as lieutenant (the rank to which he aspired from the beginning) to a man bent on destruction, and ready to join in that destruction himself--because in killing Cassio and Desdemona, Othello is killing himself. And that, of course...

• Word Count: 1419
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... reason Janus was represented in this peculiar fashion was due to the notion that doors and gates look in two directions. In this way, one of the god's faces could look forward, while the other looked backward." (Loggia.com, Copyright 1997-2002, [www.loggia.com/myth/janus.html]). This enforces the ... in Roderigo and Cassio to generate a quarrel amongst each other. Back in the first scene of this act, Iago instills in Roderigo's mind an image of Desdemona loving Cassio. First Othello, and now Cassio, "with what violence she first lov"d the moor" (II. 1. 221), proves a threat to the prize...

• Word Count: 1535
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... there are five conditions. The protagonist, Othello in this case, must experience a death or a total loss of ranking in society. oor, who the audience sees to hold a position of power, commanding respect as a result of his military position and apparent human nobility. Othello's human nobility is evident through his: language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament.(Aristotle) Keep up your ... history in the Hitler's', Milosevic's and Pol Pot's of humankind, gushes throughout the text in the form of Iago's often brutal, vulgar images and dialogue that focus upon blackness: an ol...

• Word Count: 1812
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... had been planted. Through a series of lies, allegations and rumour Iago convinces Othello that his wife has been untrue. This ultimately results in Othello killing his wife Desdermona. In the meantime Desdermona has been faithful and has a deep love for her husband. Throughout the play it is obvious that Othello ... betrayal and deceit. Kathryn and Jack were wed for 20 years. They have a daughter and Kathryn believes that she and her husband have a strong and loving relationship. When Jack dies in a horrible plane crash the story of his double life is revealed, "How could a man be two suc...

• Word Count: 1809
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... he is about to do is wrong: "Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars" (5.2.2). Here Othello is referring to God or heaven as "chaste stars" watching him and he doesn't want to be seen doing what he is about to do because it is ... or be reignited. On a secondary level, Othello is again struggling with his lack of power in the situation. He wants to have the power that is God-like, but is recognizing that he doesn't have "Promethean heat," which in the footnote is defined as: "Life-giving fire. In Greek ... : "Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee And love thee after" (5....

• Word Count: 1803
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... literary criticisms to explore Iago's methods and motives of manipulation throughout the play. Through the course of the play, Iago cautiously and brilliantly entraps Othello into the belief that his loving and faithful wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with his lieutenant Michael Cassio. He does this through a long series of suggestions and hesitations that entice and create hallucinations in Othello ... ).The impression this gave me after reading the entire play, was that Iago is so incredibly insane and paranoid that he will go to any lengths, even manipulating a general into killi...

• Word Count: 2031
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... Iago's unscrupulous behavior and shrewd planning allows his master plan to develop. The destructive forces of jealousy can shatter even the most beautiful and loving relationships. Othello, the most significant character in the play, is easily manipulated and influenced by the evil Iago. The same device launches the ... defend his honor and his reputation reduces him to a man out of control. He becomes a broken man defined by hatred and jealousy eventually killing his innocent wife. Even during this moment of tragedy, we are confronted with continued prejudice to race. It is indeed true...

• Word Count: 1786
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography

... down into an animalistic state, "foam(ing) at the mouth" and breaking out to "savage madness." This is the first time we see Othello not as a general, taking the most loving and utilitarian actions, but as a broken, "mad" man. However Othello still holds a small doubt as to Iago's accusations and demands Iago show proof and like clockwork his opportunity appears, tricking ... very swift. Jealousy becomes so fast to take over the mind of Othello and turn him to destructive thoughts. However Othello still clings onto his love for Desdemona, talking of killing a "fine fair...sweet woman," ...

• Word Count: 1529
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... to describe Othello as the lustful beast and as inhuman; therefore when he refers to Othello's sexual relations with Desdemona it is bestial and unnatural: "Even now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your whit ewe" Here referring to his race and his age, as well as the bestial copulation Iago forces Brabantio to picture- like mating farmyard animals ... dismissively as "he" and "him". Othello is much maligned at this point in the play, although not mentioned by name. Iago uses animal imagery in referring to Othello as: "an old black ram", "a barbary horse" and so on. He is also ref...

• Word Count: 1432
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... has a say and can talk for her self when needed. She proves to her father and the Duke that she was not fooled into loving her husband and she consciously made the choice to live with him and throw away her past life. Furthermore, when Cassio tells Desdemona his ... than Othello. It shows how their love is real and a piece of cloth does not determine their relationship. "That death's unnatural that kills for loving. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your frame: Theses are portents; but yet I hope, I hope they do not ... prove her side of this relationship...

• Word Count: 1340
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... manner is jealousy. His judgment is tainted by the jealousy he feels when he feels he has been overlooked, "I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. But he, as loving his own pride and purposes Nonsuits my meditators." (Act 1, scene 1, 11-16). On impulse Iago's brain is quick to devise a plan driven by his jealousy to hurt the person who ... another and been caught doing so. After these events occur Othello realizes the finality of the jealous act he has committed, "I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, killing myself, to die upon a kiss" (Act 5, scene 2, 354-55). Jealo...

• Word Count: 1955
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... manner is jealousy. His judgment is tainted by the jealousy he feels when he feels he has been overlooked, "I know my price, I am worth no worse a place. But he, as loving his own pride and purposes Nonsuits my meditators." (Act 1, scene 1, 11-16). On impulse Iago's brain is quick to devise a plan driven by his jealousy to hurt the person who ... another and been caught doing so. After these events occur Othello realizes the finality of the jealous act he has committed, "I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, killing myself, to die upon a kiss" (Act 5, scene 2, 354-55). Jealo...

• Word Count: 1955
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... of human nature. Iago believes he has an insight in to people but doesn't see that Emilia will betray him. Lord Henry Wotton and Iago both share the view that God is not a factor in life. They believe that people can only rely on themselves. Iago said "Tis in ourselves that we are thus, or thus." "Our bodies are our gardeners ... temptations. "The consequence of it all is that Dorian loses his soul." (Erickson 101) "If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old!" "I would give my soul for that!"(Wilde 34) Dorian Gray asks Lord Henry Wotton if he is really...

• Word Count: 1901
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... their gloomy deaths. In Macbeth, Shakespeare tells a story of how greed and superstition can lead to destruction and despair. The play starts off with three old witches talking amongst each other. They speak of how foul yet fair a day it is and how the next time they meet will be in the ... his generals, Macbeth and Banquo have defeated their opponents. On their way back to Duncan's castle to celebrate, Macbeth and Banquo encounter with the three old hags. They prophesize that Macbeth will become the thane of Glamis, the thane of Cawdor, and King. They also foretell that though Banquo ...

• Word Count: 1627
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... racial issues. Shakespeare's Othello outlines the protagonist with barbarity as seen in his characterisation of "thick lips" and the recurring use of animal imagery such as "an old black ram". It highlights the Elizabethan tendency to align black with barbarity and white with pureness and virtue. Othello's lack of criticism to these racial rejections elucidates racism as ... , kindly responding with the metaphoric reference to her father as the "lord of duty". The parallel scene in O exemplifies an independent yet disrespectful teenage girl, rejecting her father's loving concern. This ag...

• Word Count: 1401
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... whole world – 'Ud's pity! who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch?" (IV iii lines 71-73). On the other hand, Emilia's weakness in loving others becomes apparent to the audience once again when she betrays Desdemona, the woman she must serve with love and patience. Emilia clearly does not love Desdemona as much as ... completely shifted the dynamic of the play. With the visual proof that Emilia supplied to Iago she helped Othello to see the most untrustworthy character as honest, and the most loving character as a "whore." Emilia's low self-esteem brought on...

• Word Count: 1300
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... 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 other language techniques to show his ideas. In the film version of the text there is a great use of colour ... both his wife and Michael Cassio. Emilia proves this in Act 3 Scene 4 when she says "Is he not jealous", while talking to Desdemona. It is strange how a nice, caring and loving man, can be changed by such a sly, deceitful and evil person. Als...

• Word Count: 1351
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... extremely quick to dismiss others, sarcastically labeling Cassio a proper man' and assuming that Othello will as tenderly be led by th' nose, As asses are' The soliloquy as a whole is testament to his ability to improvise swiftly. At the start of his soliloquy he has not yet decided how he is going to proceed with his revenge. A few lines later he ... ...

• Word Count: 1344
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... partially due to his being black. Iago starts his scheming of destruction using Othello's color against him, when he beckons Barbanito to action. Iago - Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise! Arise! (1051) This prejudice may have damaged his self-esteem, where he believed he was unworthy of Desdemona. Iago drops doubt in ... horrid deception of Iago, the tragic flaw has been discovered. Othello - "By heaven, I saw the handkerchief in his hand" (1121) Once the handkerchief's seen in Cassio's hand, it's a time for killing. I use this example from the s...

• Word Count: 1363
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... which our wills are gardeners" (ln.315) This view on life has many hidden insights into the character of Iago. First among these is that Iago believes that God is a facade created by people with no heart. This belief is supported by: 'Tis in ourselves (ln.314); corrigible authority of this lies in our wills ... love to be a sect or scion. (ln.327-8)." One can tell by the connotation of the words Iago use, that he does not consider God to be a motivating force in the lives of humans. Take, for instance, the use of the words sect and balance; these words normally refer to religion, ... wom...

• Word Count: 2496
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... : not jealous, nor secure. I would not have your free and noble nature, out of self-bounty, be abused. Look to't. I know our country disposition well: In Venice they do let God see the pranks they dare no show their husbands: their best conscience is not to leave't undone, but keep't unknown." (Act 3 Scene 3, lines 195-202) The audience in Elizabethan times ... will feel that this may be the case. They are left dumb-founded though when Othello says "My life upon her faith," (Act 1 Scene 3, line 291) and then ends up killing her when she is completely innocent. Desdemona's reputation was ...

• Word Count: 1869
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... an innocent woman, and that the handkerchief was placed in Cassio's room by Iago. Knowing that he will be found out Iago shows true side and kills his wife. In killing his wife it is the first time that all of the characters in the play see the evil that is held within Iago. In an attempt to save himself Iago ... commits the ultimate sin of killing his spouse, he and Othello have now become near mirror images of each other. Iago is taken into custody and Othello kills himself because of the shame that he has ... brought upon himself as well as for killing his love. The deceitful nature...

• Word Count: 1422
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... helpers to prune the weeds from the king's garden. The third reference to "weeds- in Hamlet displays a shift in agency, using the image to accuse Gertrude for the death of Old Hamlet. The weed is no longer used to depict a kingdom growing "rank and gross- from political ambitions, as presented in Hamlet's soliloquy, but is an allegation Hamlet incorporates in the ... play "the Murder of Gonzago- sexuality is somehow a concoction used to poison Old Hamlet: Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected, With Hecat's ban thrice blasted, thrice [infected]. Thy natural magic and dire proper...

• Word Count: 1869
• Approx Pages: 7