I am not interested in power for power’s sake, but I’m interested in power that is moral, that is right, that is good”. Power can be defined as having the ability, strength and capacity to control or influence people and their actions. Martin Luther King suggests that power is variable that can be used in a positive or negative way. The types of power, power of an individual, power of position and power of the people are evident in both Shakespeare’s Othello as well as Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Through characters such as Iago, Desdemona, Sauron and Eowyn with the use of literary and film techniques, both texts convey the multifaceted notions of power in a both positive and negative ways. In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is a quintessential Machiavellian character who truly demonstrates the power of an individual and in essence, controls every character in the play. “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at, I am not what I am. ” (I. i. 16) Shakespeare uses this paradox and riddle to make the audience question Iago and his motives.
This cryptic and obscure manner of speech hides as much, or if not more than it reveals in which create an emblematic of Iago’s power throughout the play. He preys on the weakness of individuals, their own human flaws to influence even the most powerful of figures. Othello’s trust and sexual desires, Cassio’s intoxication, Emilia’s desperate need of attention, Desdemona’s innocence, Roderigo’s love are all puppets to this deceitful fox. “Think, my Lord? ””Honest, my Lord? ” (III. iii. 103-106).
The Term Paper on Scenes Iago Lear Othello Shakespeare
From psychologically viewing the plays, Hamlet, King Lear, and Othello it seems that these three tragedies all connect. Shakespeare has a way of manipulating the audience into feeling compassionate towards acts that the usually wouldn't be compassionate towards. These acts may include insanity, murder, or betrayal. And Shakespeare also has a way of leaving the audience to ponder what the outcome ...
These intentional short sentences which Shakespeare cleverly uses adds to suspense and drama which helps Iago plant the seeds of doubt and jealousy into Othello’s mind, exploiting his weakness, leading him to his hamartia. Shakespeare gives Iago the extraordinary power to make those around him see only what they want to see, and thereby not suspect what is obviously suspicious. Similarly, Jackson’s LotR: TRotK, Sauron is the ultimate satanic villain in the film. Like Iago, Sauron continuously influence other’s weakness to his own desire.
Jackson uses close up shots to illustrate the strong emotions of fear on Aragon’s face as Sauron, symbolised by the Great Eye, exploits his weakness, the death of his beloved. The One Ring in the film reflects Sauron’s power and constantly tempts anyone who comes near it. Moreover, Sauron ensnares those who fear him through the Great Eye, a symbol power that is ever present through the entire film. Jackson uses a bird’s eye view to depict this power, giving the audience a bare glimpse, a taste of Sauron’s conspicuous, inescapable scrutiny.
Power of the individual is essential and demonstrated simultaneously in both text which also conveys the selfish, manipulative and negative use of power, power for power’s sake. The power of position is too evident in Shakespeare’s Othello which is illustrated through the characters of Desdemona and Emilia. “My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty. To you I am bound for life and education. My life and education both do learn me How to respect you. You are the lord of my duty, I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband. ” (I. iii. 179–180) Shakespeare uses alliteration to draw the audience attention to these two words which emphasis split loyalty of her husband and her father. From this speech, Desdemona is shown as a brave, young and powerful women, who stands up in front of her father, but does not seem ill-mannered or disrespectful. “No, I will speak as liberal as the north; Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, All, all, cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak. ” (V. ii. 220-222) Shakespeare uses simile to express the vivid emotion that Emilia is feeling towards the audience.
The Essay on First impressions of Iago and Othello
In the play Othello, our first impression suggests that Iago and Othello are portrayed as having somewhat opposite qualities. Iago is first shown to be false and pretentious. Even though he says “I will wear my heart upon my sleeve”, giving the impression that he shows all his emotions willingly, he is then shown to be quite secretive and deceitful, plotting against Othello, Casio and ...
This portrays the strength and power of Emilia’s speech as she steps out of her persona as a weak, oppressed women used only for her sexuality. Emilia is the only character that Iago underestimates, yet, ironically led him to his ultimate downfall. In the same way, Jackson’s LotR: RotK exemplifies this power through women, who similarly were belittled and underestimated. “No man can kill me. ””I am no man. ” Jackson brilliantly uses these simple words that hold extraordinary power with such effective meaning.
The deathly silence between these two dialogues adds to the dramatic and climatic scene that exposes Eowyn’s true identity, a woman masked as a common a soldier. This courage that Eowyn possesses depicts the power of women that many underestimate and fail to see. Through these character’s strength and courage, the position of power that they control is illustrated in both a moral and righteous way. Power of People is indisputably seen in Shakespeare’s Othello through the everlasting battle of good and evil.
Desdemona’s innocence and honesty is the representation of the essence of goodness in this play as in contrast to Othello who’s jealously and sexual desire gives an impression of evil. Othello’s jealousy consumes him as he becomes the darkness that reflects upon the colour of his skin blinded to Desdemona’s honesty and purity. This duo resonate the everlasting battle between good and evil throughout the play and is constantly battling for power. “An old black ram is tupping your white ewe. ” (I. i. 88-89) This vivid use of description Shakespeare uses help portray the powerful imagery in the audience’s mind which shows the dominance of black over white. Iago is constantly trying to tip this balance, which he successfully does through the vulnerable and weakness of human characteristics. “Yet I’ll not shed her blood; Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow…Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men. ” Shakespeare employs the use of simile to emphasis the colour of Desdemona’s skin, her pure innocence that is to be tainted by the jealousy of Othello.
The scale is finally tipped as Iago’s plan finally succeeds. Equivalently, Jackson’s LotR: RotK demonstrates the everlasting battle between good and evil. Frodo illustrates a pure, uncorrupted and righteous character that balances out and is insusceptible to the wickedness and evil temptations of the ring. However, at the climax of the film, Frodo finally succumbs to the enticement of the ring. “The Ring is mine. ” Jackson uses an extreme close-up shot to show the fine details of emotion on Frodo’s face as he embraces the power of the ring.
The Essay on Power The Ring Frodo Gandalf Gollum
Preparation of the Quest Gandalf, the great wizard, gives off an appearance of being omniscient, which makes him appear to be a person that is very powerful and strays away from the darker side. He has a great understanding of the many basic life forms of Middle Earth. Gandalf also has a lot of knowledge about the fundamentals of the hobbits and their ways of life. Frodo Baggins, on the other ...
The power of people is clearly incorporated in both texts which depict the everlasting battle of good versus evil, and the fall into the temptation of power. Power is much evident in both Shakespeare’s Othello and Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and is portrayed in various types of power. It is unambiguous that both texts exemplify the positive and negative notion of power through literary and film techniques which question the use of power, power for power’s sake or power that is moral, right and good.
