Dramatic Literature This is an essay on dramatic literature. In this essay I want discuss the major, conceptual issues of the famous dramatic play Othello by William Shakespeare. This essay gave me a good reason to read the famous Othello and I want to say that it was worth reading. In this play on the example of intricate relationships between the main heroes author shows all aspects of human relationships. I do not remember who said this but I like the expression: There are three eternal themes in the literature love, power and money. All literature is based on that three main themes, in literature love, power and money play the roles of three mythical whales, which are three foundations of Earth.
Othello is no exception from this rule we can trace the theme of power, the theme of love (jealousy) and the theme of money, which is tightly connected to power. Of course all of the aforementioned themes Shakespeare presents in his inherent manner I have to confess that at first it was hard to read his plays but with time I get acquainted to his inimitable style of description of intricate human feelings. After reading this play I want to try to give my point of view on the mainstreams of the play. They are: the role of race, the role of jealousy, and the role of vice. I do not proclaim that in this essay I will give new interpretation of Othello, I just want to state my point of view about some major issues I found interesting. I do not say that I will narrowly examine all three aspects of the play.
The Essay on Theme Of Deception in “Othello”
Throughout “Othello”, the theme of deception plays an important role. The arch-deceiver in this play is Iago. Iago’s repeated deception moves the play forward to the climax and ultimately to the tragic ending. Although deception is always meant to deceive, the degree of deception varies upon the context of the situation. Another character that exhibits deception is Desdemona. The ...
Ive decided to examine the role of race identity but also I would to touch briefly other themes. They all are very tightly connected and, from my point of view, it is impossible to draw an exact distinction between them. The question of race identity. Lets s starts from the very beginning. Othello is a Moor. In vocabulary Ive founded the definition to word Moor.
Moor is one of the Muslim people of north Africa; of mixed Arab and Berber descent; converted to Islam in the 8th century; conqueror of Spain in the 8th century. But in Shakespeare’s time the word Moor was synonymous to “African,” with the expectation that such a person would be negro. Back in time word “Moor” was not a negative or derogatory word. Originally, it meant “native of Mauritania,” a country in North Africa, but its meaning had become generalized by the 17th century. While reading this play we must consider that gap between similar conceptions in Shakespeare’s time and in nowadays is really huge. Today the issue of racial identity is very painful and that is why many remarks about Othellos race maybe interpreted as insult. In some cases it is really so but statement that Othello is the victim of racial discrimination in Iagos hands seems far-fetched to me.
Even in Shakespeares London people from North Africa were numerous; he was quite directly dealing with issues of race in Elizabethan England where, not unlike the England of today, there was a growing black presence of as well as anxiety about these immigrants. (In 1598, for instance, Queen Elizabeth issued a warrant seeking to deport 89 black people) (Reading Race in Othello) In this play the main hero is a Moor, is a representative of another race and accordingly a representative of another culture and, if we consider the historical surrounding and background of the place, a representative of hostile, barbarian culture. In was unusual for a Moor to take such high position in Venetian army but Othello deserve his post. Even the name Othello has double meaning. Many specialists think that there is also an echo in ‘Othello’ of ‘Ottoman’, the name given to the Turkish (Muslim) empire, against whom Othello is to fight. Duke says, Valiant Othello we must straight employ you Against the general enemy Ottoman (1.3.47-8) An interesting is that we dont see Othello himself until until the second scene.
The Essay on Othello and Race
In Shakespeare’s literary creation “Othello,” the protagonist, Othello, is a high ranking black soldier in a community of white people. Though he had gained his high marks by sheer perseverance and dedication, as it is in the old times, there are the people’s doubts. He was, after all, still a black man. Shakespeare, through this tragedy had shown the stereotypes of our modern times; that being ...
Consequently, the audiences first impressions of him are derived from reports rather than behavior. (Reading Race in Othello) Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio use the term Moor insistently and abusively in the opening scene. In the past it may mean someone with with a different skin colour, but nowadays Iago’s crude descriptors may be comprehend as an abusive remark in adress of a black African (a negro).
In other words, Iago is a racist and inspite this awful fact back in times (when the play was written) it was not as significent. I think that Othellos race identity was one of the readon of Iagos envy. He needed to obey to Moor, to barbarian.
I think that it was humilative for him. But later when breaking up the fight between Cassio and Montano Othello himself says a very interesting thing. Are we turned Turks? And to ourselves do that which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites? For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl… (2.3.166-8) On such way Othello emphasize a contrast between the Turks, who a re Muslims and the Christians. Barbarous in this case is used as synonim of Turkish behaviour. An interesting is that later in this play Iago use the word barbarian to compare Othelo and Desdemona: ‘an erring Barbarian and a super-subtle Venetian. So in this play Shakespeare sets a task for us to identify who is Othello for himself and for those who are around him.
Othello is a Moor, a barbarian who tries to become civilized person. In many aspects of life he really is a civilized person. But I think that only Desdemona see him in such light. For ther rest of the people he is just a barbarian, a viceous foreigner. And such treatment undermine Othellos confidence in his human nature. And the main idea of the play, I think is not the murder or jealosy but a unequal collision of human being with destructive powers, powers which crashed humanity in person.
In our case its jealousy and race identity. Because of his race identity Othello feels insecure in his relationship with Desdemona and this make him vulnerable to Iago. Othello says, “She lov’d me for the dangers I had pass’d.” (I,iii,167) On my mind just one person saw in Othello human, not the barbarian. It was Desdemona. For her Othello was not some exotic thing to play with, she really loved him in spite his origin and his race has no meaning for her. Jealosy ruined all. Why Im so sure about Desdemonas attitude towards Othelo? First of all she is very strong person and very devoted one. She left the house of her father, Brabantio, to wed Othello. She didnt asked her fathers permission and decided to marry Othello on her own.
The Essay on Othello – Character Analysis of Iago
In William Shakespeare's "Othello", the character Iago is, at least in my point of view, the main and most interesting character. Iago is in virtually every scene in the play, and has his hands in almost all doings within the play. Iago is truly one of the greatest villans in literature. Iago is viewed by all in the play, with the possible exception of his wife, as an honest and trust worthy man, ...
In such way she run from the Brabantios patriarchal authority. She chose he man she wanted to be with and she didnt want somebody to intrude in their relationships. When Desdemona left the house of her father, Brabantio, to wed the Moor, Othello, it was the first step in redefining her role as a woman. Desdemona, instead of asking her fathers permission, decided on her own to marry Othello. It seems as though Desdemona was breaking away from the strictness imposed by Brabantio. She denied her father any right in choosing or granting allowance to Othello to marry her. Instead she chose the man who she wanted to marry and felt it unnecessary that her father intervene in their relationship.
Brabantino says, A Maiden, neuer bold: Of Spirit so still, and quiet, that her Motion, Blush’d at her selfe, and she, in spight of Nature, Of Yeares, of Country, Credite, euery thing To fall in Loue, with what she fear’d to looke on (1.3.83-5 )That is why Im sure that she really loved Othello. I discussed all the racial aspects of the play I wanted to. I hope that my piont of view if not original and new also is interesting and informative. I expound my thoughts in a way I feel right and sincerely hope that you will find them interesting. Othello is complicated play with many nuances and I hope that I understand some tiny part of them. The theme of race identity is not the most important for this play but I chose it because I wantes to show that racial was and still is an important issue for society.
Act 1, Scene 3; TLN numbers 424-462 Bibliography Howard McNaughton, Reading Race in Othello. .