... yet emotionally attached beings as shown in Shakespeare's Othello between Desdemona and her husband, Othello. Othello primarily expresses his honest love throughout the play during the most difficult times. Moreover, Desdemona is an independent character that loves Othello, but always has her own opinions as well. Furthermore, ... Othello and Desdemona's love, her say is extremely necessary for the Duke and Brabantio to believe Othello's stories. "That I did love the Moor to live with him, my downright violence and storm of fortunes may trumpet to the world. My heart's subdued" (Shakes...

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• Grade Level: High School

... only excuses for his actions because his real contempt for Othello is motivated by bigotry. Although Iago knows how to hide his bigotry well, but the fact that Othello is black and is his superior annoys him to no end. This motivates him to go on a secret mission to destroy Othello ... and his African ethnicity. Furthermore, Iago detests his own pretending to be a faithful follower of Othello: "It is as sure as you are Roderigo, / Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago. In following him, I follow but myself;" (CITE). Clearly this is an irrational prejudice from a bigoted mind. It can be ....

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... without having to be physically demoralized in front of him. Mariane plays the daughter of Elmire in Tartuffe; she is a submissive girl willing to do whatever it takes to please her father even if it breaks her heart. She reluctantly agrees to break off her engagement with Valere to ... marry Tartuffe as her father orders and when she's speaking with Valere about the predicament she goes along with his orders to marry Tartuffe even though ... these women are victims, victim to emotional and physical abuse or just due to gender bias, there is the possibility of a woman being the instigat...

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• Has Bibliography

... is constantly used. 'I Shall ensnare them all', Iago says. Iago has set his web and nothing can stop him now; he so easily controls the "levers" of the play. Iago, (our so friendly villain) uses a metaphor relating a garden to our lives, and gardeners to our independent wills: "Our bodies are ... 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 ....

• Word Count: 2496
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• Grade Level: High School

... . However instead of deeming him with negative qualities because of his skin color Shakespeare blesses him with heroic abilities as well as the heart of a hero. The audience sees how much Othello trusts his wife in the first act. Barbantio, Desdemona's father, takes great offense to his daughter marrying a man of dark skin. He claims that Othello has wooed Desdemona "By spells and medicines ... with Iago. Iago being one of Othello's generals has Othello's trust. Iago knows this and uses Othello's open hero's heart against him in horrible ways. In Act III scene III Iago and Othello have a...

• Word Count: 1287
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... shortly also died; for whose dear love, They say, she hath abjured the sight And company of men- (1.2.36-41). Her sorrow is felt throughout the household, contributing to the drunkenness of the other characters living there, Sir Andrew and Sir Toby. The Duke, Orsino, is also in a saddened state of mind; he is heart-broken over Olivia. His palace is also in a tone of unhappiness ... does not want anything to do with any man. He constantly tries to change Olivia's mind by sending messengers to woo her. Viola is one of the messengers sent by Orsino to capture the heart of Olivia. During th...

• Word Count: 2423
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• Grade Level: High School

... is of no matter to Othello, though. In addition to being idealistic, trusting, and respected, one of Othello's most accentuated qualities is his passion. Othello loves the gentle Desdemona with every ounce of heart and soul in him. He cares neither that they are of different races, nor that they differ in age so. Othello lives for Desdemona's love and she is ... all reason. For Othello thinks he has just been presented undeniable proof that his wife cheated on him. He is completely heart-broken. Othello has never felt such deep pain in his life - the betrayal of whole-hearted love. He c...

• Word Count: 1660
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... believe Iago's lies of Desdemona's alleged affair with Cassio. If Emilia truly had love in her heart for her dear Desdemona, she would have returned the handkerchief to Desdemona after seeing the immense amount of pain it caused her in Act IV scene ii and iii. The lack of love portrayed by Emilia can only be attributed to not only to her verbally abusive ... she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation. And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?" (II iii lines 18-22). The jealousy that was apparent in Emilia's heart may well have been the driving force in her choosing to d...

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

... but it falls on deaf ears and Othello kills her. Even when she is dead Desdemona causes Othello to kill himself from grief. B ) Other Characters reactions to Desdemona : Desdemona is the love of Othello's life. He loves Desdemona with his whole heart. He would do anything for her until Iago plants a seed of doubt about Desdemona's loyalty to Othello. Emillia planting ... the handkerchief in Cassio's bed chamber proves Iago's claims. Deeming Desdemona unfaithful in Othello's eyes. He is devastated and enraged at the thought of Desdemona sleeping with Cassio. So he kills her. Upon finding...

• Word Count: 1595
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• Grade Level: High School

... corrupt. This is evident when he so readily believes Iago's notion that Desdemona is cheating on him. Again, Othello loses credibility to the reader when he believes the fate of his relationship lies in a "magical- handkerchief. Othello's mother gave him this and told him that when he is wed, ... Of course, it is silly to believe a handkerchief can keep a marriage together, but Othello takes this to heart, and immediately questions Desdemona regarding its whereabouts. When she does not instantly produce the handkerchief as "proof- of her faithfulness, he believes that she indeed has been...

• Word Count: 1558
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• Grade Level: High School

... excellent warrior, also being such an honest fearless leader to Venice; he has earned both respect and admiration from the Duke, the Senate, and many Venetian citizens. Most of the Soldiers in Othello's army followed him faithfully, except for "Honest iago " Shakespeare, uses clashing irony, by giving ... Desdemona boldly speaks up to her father; "My duty is to the Moor now. "(Shakespeare 791.) Brabantio accepts his daughter's decision and joins their hands together, "Come Hither Moor, I here do give thee that with all my heart,"" (Shakespeare 789.) In Act 2 Scene III Iago begins to exec...

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• Grade Level: High School

... it means Iago's sexual relationship with his wife, Emilia. The thought of Othello having sex with Emilia has incensed Iago. "The thought where ofDoth like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my innards," he says. Although, Iago could be referring to his heart when he says "innards," it is a safe assumption that ... he is probably referring to his guts because the comment lacks a romantic tone. Iago also ... believes that Emilia has slept with Cassio. "For I fear Cassio with my nightcap, too, " he says. The thought of both men ... about Desdemona. He is beginning to let those dark feelings take c...

• Word Count: 1304
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• Grade Level: High School

... ; no one lies to Othello, all seem to respect him. He never even has to fight in the play, with the enemy disappearing by themselves. This simplistic view does not help him in matters of the heart. His marriage is based on tall tales and pity and his friendships are never examined; he thinks that ... anyone who knows him love him. Thus the ultimate evaluation of Othello must be that, although he leads well and means ... well, he lacks good judgement and common sense. This becomes most plainly obvious in his final two speeches, where even though the play ends properly, and in a dignified...

• Word Count: 1266
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• Grade Level: High School

... friend without the slightest feeling of guilt. He embezzles the money that Roderigo gives him to win over Desdemona. When Roderigo discovers that Iago has been hoarding his money, he threatens him. However, when Iago tells him some fanciful plot in order to capture Desdemona's heart Roderigo ... forgets Iago's theft and agrees to kill Cassio. Iago's keen intellect is what intrigues the ... reader most. His ability to say the right things at the right time is what makes him such a successful villain. However, ... his other goals. He also thinks quickly and is able to improvise whenever...

• Word Count: 1302
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• Grade Level: High School

... all other women in such a patriarchal period. The traditions of the Venetian society are discovered when Iago speaks to Brabanzio and plants both the ideas of miscegenation and loss of power into Brabanzio's mind. Iago warns Brabanzio when he says, "your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; ... Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise!" (1.1, 400). These lines highlight the fact that in Elizabethan society, Brabanzio, like other fathers, ... views of Desdemona. When Othello and Desdemona are first married, Othello spoke nothing but love ...

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... He would have no reason to risk his standing in Brabantio's view, by shouting "Awake! Theives, theives!" (78), while representing Roderigo. And, the opposite, if he were engulfed in simple revenge on Roderigo's behalf, because Desdemona eloped with Othello, he would not be able to assert any passionate ... consideration on his counterfeit demeanor before Othello. Above all, he would not appear quite the chameleon, changing roles to suit the expectations and impress every character, "wear[ing] his heart upon his sleeve" (63), had he not something else but isolated revenge on his mind. It...

• Word Count: 1535
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• Grade Level: High School

... minded Iago is. He is able to turn any situation to benefit himself. In Roderigo he sees potential for gain, both monetary and leisure. The fact that Roderigo is taken in by this exploitative act is not to his detriment because as we learn later, Iago succeeds in deceiving Venice ... 's finest. Because of this, Iago evidently does not enjoy real friendship with anyone, preferring the twisted entertainment of his own inventions. Also brought to light is Iago's paranoia or insecurity. He provides us with a reason for his hatred of ... him in this way, using it as a driving force behind his...

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... husband,/ And so much duty as my mother showed/ To you, preferring you before her father,/ So much I challenge that I may profess/ Due to the Moor my lord. (I. iii. 178-187). This speech illustrates Desdemona's inner conflict and also enforces Desdemona's deep- seeded emotions. This is very important because ... this proves that Desdemona was not a weak woman at heart. She did not readily take her subservient role to her husband but is concerned about how her actions will affect the other people around her, and in turn, affect herself. This can also be construed in ... husband's travels...

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• Grade Level: High School

... Desdemona. And, it is Iago's jealousy of Othello that drives him to destroy both Othello and Desdemona. What is interesting about the play is the way in which jealousy between the major characters is mainly focused on intimacy. And perhaps what makes Othello so disturbing is how quickly this type of sexualized jealousy ... soul. But I do love thee! And when I love thee not, Chaos is come again." (Act 3, scene 3, 90-92). Othello's jealousy is the catalyst for the inescapable end he sees for his relationship with Desdemona. It was originally Iago's evil-minded goal to make Othello jealous ...

• Word Count: 1955
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• Grade Level: High School

... upstanding person of Venice. His virtues are admired by all, and he is respected and known for being a well-liked military leader. Othello follows all the guidelines for being a tragic hero. He is a noble, having royal blood and of being not an ordinary man but one of outstanding quality ( ... Ch. 3, p. 1016). He has self-control. To show his courageousness, Shakespeare uses a Senator's remark: "Here comes Brabantino and the valiant Moor." (1.3.47) Throughout the play, Othello is continually commented on by characters attesting to his courage and military leadership. He has spent his life...

• Word Count: 1511
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• Grade Level: High School

... Desdemona. And, it is Iago's jealousy of Othello that drives him to destroy both Othello and Desdemona. What is interesting about the play is the way in which jealousy between the major characters is mainly focused on intimacy. And perhaps what makes Othello so disturbing is how quickly this type of sexualized jealousy ... soul. But I do love thee! And when I love thee not, Chaos is come again." (Act 3, scene 3, 90-92). Othello's jealousy is the catalyst for the inescapable end he sees for his relationship with Desdemona. It was originally Iago's evil-minded goal to make Othello jealous ...

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

... Lord Henry Wotton is a bad influence on him but continues to listen to him anyways. "A crucial aspect of Lord Henry's "new Hedonism" is the perpetual quest for "new sensations."(Freedman 183) Lord Henry Wotton with "infinite subtlety suggests that Dorian should, "be forever curiously testing new opinions and ... Emilia is not. Iago compares Desdemona to food. He believes women in general are only used for man's pleasure. "Iago asserts, in the strongest manner, the supremacy of reason; men can make out of their body and their appetite what they will." (Gale Research, 4:428) Iago has only...

• Word Count: 1901
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• Grade Level: High School

... seems to place his trust in people that have not demonstrated a reason to be mistrusted. Iago at no time gives cause to be mistrusted. Othello had to see the reason, something tangible. The external pressures on Othello are 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 ... 196, Iago is quoted saying "As honest as I am", which everyone knows is far from true, but Iago is still capable of bringing Othello. Othello believes in the honesty of Iago until the bitter end of the play. Othell...

• Word Count: 1363
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... is undone by Iago, who is intent on vengeance, and uses Othello's good traits against him, eventually leading to self destruction for an unnecessary evil. The tragic outcome at the end of the play, the inevitable tragic result beyond those involved powers is what makes it Shakespeare's ultimate tragedy. All tragedies contain a strong heroic character that is sympathised with by ... Iago, and loyalty and deceit, between Othello and Iago. This breaking of a moral law; means the reasons discovered at the end of the play prove the result to be for a senseless evil. The senseless evils of dece...

• Word Count: 1470
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• Grade Level: High School

... . Using this piece of evidence, Othello confronts Desdemona in her bedroom and speaks of the handkerchief: By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in's hand! O perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart, And mak'st me call what I intend to do A murder, which I thought a sacrifice. I saw the handkerchief. (V, ii, 77-81) Without speaking with Cassio and asking any questions, Othello reveals his fragile mind as ... he enters Desdemona's room with the intent of murder, because the illusions had caused him enough suffering. Othello's cowardly acts and ... through another important symbol. Holden, a l...

• Word Count: 1633
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School