A feminist reading would give voice to the play’s three female characters: Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca (the play’s only female survivor), provoking sympathy within the audience for them and portraying them as the true victims of the avoidable tragedy. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Since its premiere in 1604, the play has served as a rich, compelling piece of theatre that forces audiences to realities of racial and religious difference, abuse, and intimacy. Iago is motivated not merely by jealousy, but by a lack of power and status, as demonstrated in his wife’s poor social status and his role as an “outsider” from the hierarchy of Venetian society and the army. William Shakespeare’s Othello takes place in 16th-century Venice and also Cyprus. Although he was a man who was a leader, of high military/social standing, he was still simply a man. Dolan says that Othello can be linked to all these ‘spectres of disorder’. Its thematic concerns are expansive and open to interpretation: they range from tragedy, love, power, jealousy, trust, class and race, and the actions of its characters often … Surname 1 Student’s name Professor’s name Course Date Critical analysis of Shakespeare’s Othello Introduction Othello was first crafted on 1604 (Jowett andJohn), motivated by the complex geopolitical issues of that time that the historicists are seeking to unravel by placing the literary works in an historical framework. Iago essentially writes the play’s main plot, takes a key part in it, and gives first-hand direction to the others, most notably to Othello. Gravity. Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello has been brought to the stage hundreds, thousands of times with many different interpretations and readings due to its vast history of literary debate and analysis. The stillness of the bedroom scenes preceding Desdemona and Emilia’s murder are essential to this reading, both beautiful and dreadful, as the women are completely blind to their fate. that it is a Christian tragedy––Othello’s fall is a version of Adam’s, while the fate of Desdemona is an inversion of Eve’s ; or that its plot is incredible––or that the plot has ‘surrealistic rightness’. By the close of the play, it should be clear that Othello was an expendable resource, and will be replaced by someone else, probably also an outsider, desperate to climb the ladder of authority. Othello, in his speech to the Senate, which is usually considered noble and dignified, says “For such proceedings I am charged withal – I won his daughter.” (Act 1, Sc 3, 93-94). Help! In the context of this reading, Iago would be portrayed as a cynical sociopath, as opposed to inherently evil Machiavellian, willing to do whatever is required to get what he wants. Description of the Battle of Lepanto in Knolles's History of the Turks. Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello has been brought to the stage hundreds, thousands of times with many different interpretations and readings due to its vast history of literary debate and analysis. Iago is motivated not merely by jealousy, but by a lack of power and status, as demonstrated in his wife’s poor social status and his role as an “outsider” from the hierarchy of Venetian society and the army. n. the protagonist of a tragedy by Shakespeare, Othello , a Moor who is tricked into believing that his wife Desdemona is unfaithful. The three focus scenes here are Act 1 Scene 3, Act 4 Scene 3 and Act 5 Scene 2. A feminist reading also recognises that it is the men’s deplorable attitudes in regard to women and gender that in part caused the tragedy, for instance, Othello’s response to Emilia insistence that Desdemona is honest, “She says enough; yet she’s a simple bawd/That cannot say as much” (Act 4 Sc 2). The main themes of the play include love, an inconsistency of the military heroism, and fear of isolation. Modern audiences, too, have certain expectations and ideas about the play, and it is vital, when producing a play like Othello to take these expectations into consideration. Pay special attention to the interracial character of this relationship and the use of racist […], Shakespeare’s character, Othello, was definitely a believable character. Othello, the Moor of Venice, is a tragedy Shakespeare is believed to have written in about 1603. Character Analysis Of Iago In Othello 1340 Words | 6 Pages. The first two impressions conflict greatly, the […], Elizabethan and Jacobean dramatists used his theatrical convention to evoke the inwardness of their characters, a soliloquy provides the audience with accurate access to the character’s innermost thoughts and we […], Just what is “wicked” in Shakespeare’s play? (Act 5, Scene 2, 165-68). Othello, a classic tale of love, jealousy and deceit, is considered one of the greatest dramas of Shakespeare. Its thematic concerns are expansive and open to interpretation: they range from tragedy, love, power, jealousy, trust, class and race, and the actions of its characters often provoke controversy and harsh criticism, from Othello’s “fatal flaw” of envy, to Desdemona’s trivial persistence and Iago’s sinister and deadly plotting. Othello: Study Guide | SparkNotes. Shakespeare took the idea for Othello from a tale of doomed ... Postcolonial reading: ‘something from Cyprus’. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. With the development of psychoanalysis and its application to literary characters, twentieth-century critics have expanded […], Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello has been brought to the stage hundreds, thousands of times with many different interpretations and readings due to its vast history of literary debate and analysis. Othello Character Analysis in Othello by Shakespeare - In the play Othello, the character of Othello as the main protagonist towers above other characters in terms of nobility and power. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy. Othello is the brave General of the Venetian army who by listening to the deceitful Iago becomes falsely jealous of his wife, Desdemona. When the violence settles and the Senate members, including the Duke, regain control at the end of Act 5 Scene 2, Lodovico’s closing speech should echo this, shifting the blame entirely onto Iago, reinforced by the lines “Look on the tragic loading of this bed:/ This is thy work”. Two interpretations of Othello. Don't be confused, we're about to change the rest of it. Perhaps he could give his eulogy speech in an upright stance, to symbolise this. Her outburst at Cassio gives the on looking Othello what he thinks is proof of Desdemona’s infidelity while displaying her strong character and standing up to a man, behaviour which does not follow the stereotypical expectations of women of the time. Consequently, at the conclusion of Act 5, Othello should not be portrayed as a tragic hero, nor she he regain his prior noble stature, given his murderous and unwarranted actions, and the audience’s sympathies should lie with the play’s women. A messenger enters, and confirms that the Turkish fleet was broken apart by the storm, and that Cassio has arrived, though Othello is still at sea. Iago manipulates such power structure as the military, race and gender to undermine Othello and bring about his ultimate downfall. Othello cannot be excused from the murder of his wife. Get a verified writer to help you with Two interpretations of Othello. Learn. Ho! He cannot hold on to his authority with any confidence or security because he is different from the Venetians. We've changed a part of the website. The story revolves around its two central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and his treacherous ensign, Iago. At the beginning of the play, during the Senate scene, the Duke should barely recognise Othello’s presence, Othello is a servant, a hired gun sent to Cyprus to do the Venetian state’s dirty work. Perhaps when one […], Imagery, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, is the use of vivid figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas. Your Answer is very helpful for Us Thank you a lot! also offered here. Reflecting the culture in which Othello was written, none of the three female characters is ultimately treated as an equal by the men. Many feminist critics have noted how female characters in Jacobean tragedies are victims who have limited power and are punished for their sexuality. For these reasons, I am proposing two potential readings, or interpretations of the play, a feminist reading and a reading based on the themes of class and power. A feminist interpretation of the play would assess the balance of power between the genders, the cultural expectations displayed in the play and the degree to which these are conformed to by the women, as well as how far the drama centres on male or female perspectives etc. She clearly outlines the nature of women’s status: “You are lord of all my duty, / I am hitherto your daughter. This text is NOT unique. The focus scenes, according to this reading, are Act 1 Scene 3, Act 3 Scene 3 and Act 5 Scene 2. This eulogy should help him regain nobility in the state’s eyes, as he, unlike Iago, accepts his guilt and shows remorse, and the audience’s sympathies lie with Othello. Dolan defines him as a ‘domestic tyrant who murders his wife on spurious grounds’. It tells the tale of Othello, a general from Moorish (North Africa) who marries a Venetian … Attention must also be paid to Bianca, who plays an unknowing role in Othello’s jealousy. They spot a ship coming forth; but Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia are on it, not Othello. Act 1 Scene 1 establishes the context of a patriarchal society, and this is continued in Act 1 Scene 3 with Desdemona summoned to the Senate to defend her new marriage. Othello is an outsider who is intelligent and confident in military matters but socially insecure. Critical Analysis of The Tragedy Of Othello. Students looking for free, top-notch essay and term paper samples on various topics. Just give us some more time, By clicking Send Me The Sample you agree on the, Act 3 scene 3 is a Pivotal Scene In The Play Othello, Discuss the dramatic impact of Act 1 Scene 3 and its importance to the whole play of Othello, How Desdemona is presented as acharacter and perceived by others in Othello. Two interpretations of Othello Essay. Murder! Further, in Act 4 Scene 1, where Othello’s rage leads to an epileptic fit. Iago asserts the power of his (apparent) friendship over Othello, resulting in Othello’s swift move to jealousy, and begins constructing a power structure of his own by guaranteeing Othello reliant on his opinion and ensuring that Othello cannot discuss the issue with his wife or his friend and lieutenant, Cassio. Modern audiences, too, have certain expectations and ideas about the play, and it is vital, when producing a play like Othello to take these expectations into consideration. Ho! Help! Othello is one of Shakespeare’s five best-known and widely studied tragedies, along with Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet.But as is so often with a well-known text, we don’t know this one nearly as well as we think we do: Othello has more in it than jealousy, the ‘green-eyed monster’, and (implied) racial hatred.These themes are central to the play’s power, but one of the … Othello’s Integrity . Perhaps he could give his eulogy speech in an upright stance, to symbolise this. Retrieved from http://studymoose.com/two-interpretations-of-othello-essay, Copying content is not allowed on this website, Ask a professional writer to help you with your text, Give us your email and we'll send you the essay you need, Please indicate where to send you the sample. Othello, in his speech to the Senate, which is usually considered noble and dignified, says “For such proceedings I am charged withal – I won his daughter.” (Act 1, Sc 3, 93-94). For these reasons, I am proposing two potential readings, or interpretations of the play, a feminist reading and a reading based on the themes of class and power. A feminist reading stems from the fact that in Shakespeare’s times, women, whether married or not, fell roughly into two categories: that of a fair, innocent and virgin, or a cuckolding whore. Emilia challenges the traditional female characteristic of silence, after Desdemona’s death expressing her anger saying, “As ignorant as dirt! In his first speech he subconsciously acknowledges the social pressure he is under" Iago asserts the power of his (apparent) friendship over Othello, resulting in Othello’s swift move to jealousy, and begins constructing a power structure of his own by guaranteeing Othello reliant on his opinion and ensuring that Othello cannot discuss the issue with his wife or his friend and lieutenant, Cassio. Is Iago evil? The villain Iago from " Othello " is a central character, and understanding him is key to understanding Shakespeare's entire play. Introduction. Attention must also be paid to Bianca, who plays an unknowing role in Othello’s jealousy. This can be visually and dramatically demonstrated by Iago’s physical dominance over Othello, as Othello writhes on the floor, and symbolises the role and power reversal that has taken place with Othello’s compliance, but without his knowledge. Though I lost twenty lives. Iago essentially writes the play’s main plot, takes a key part in it, and gives first-hand direction to the others, most notably to Othello. A feminist reading also recognises that it is the men’s deplorable attitudes in regard to women and gender that in part caused the tragedy, for instance, Othello’s response to Emilia insistence that Desdemona is honest, “She says enough; yet she’s a simple bawd/That cannot say as much” (Act 4 Sc 2). Othello’s final speech is an important aspect of this reading. May … Written in 1603, Othello by Shakespeare is considered to be one of the best classic tragediesof all times. One of Othello’s admirable qualities is that he believes that men should be transparent and honest as he is; “Certain, men should be what they seem” (Act 3 Scene 3 Line 134). Specifically, Othello and Roderigo are the main victims of his lies and deceit. In Othello, Shakespeare makes use of colors to represent ideas or […], Our first impression of Othello comes from a conversation between Iago, Roderigo, and Brabantio. Cinthio's Gli Hecatommithi, an Italian source for Othello and Measure for Measure. Its thematic concerns are expansive and open to interpretation: they range from tragedy, love, power, jealousy, trust, class and race, and the actions of its characters often provoke controversy and harsh criticism, from Othello’s “fatal flaw” of envy, to Desdemona’s trivial persistence and Iago’s sinister and deadly plotting. This kind of reading places emphasis on the class and power themes inherent in the play and its Victorian war setting, drawing attention to the villainy of the politicians and Senate of Venice, to whom Othello is just a slave to the state, and who fail to recognise the foul plot being played out in his army by Iago. The focus scenes, according to this reading, are Act 1 Scene 3, Act 3 Scene 3 and Act 5 Scene 2. Boosta Ltd - 10 Kyriakou Matsi, Liliana building, office 203, 1082, Nicosia, Cyprus. At the beginning of the play, during the Senate scene, the Duke should barely recognise Othello’s presence, Othello is a servant, a hired gun sent to Cyprus to do the Venetian state’s dirty work. By the close of the play, it should be clear that Othello was an expendable resource, and will be replaced by someone else, probably also an outsider, desperate to climb the ladder of authority. The issues of class and power could be visually presented to the audience by the use of costume, dressing the characters, especially those who hold power, in business suits. Othello is manipulated by the truly evil and duplicitous Iago who has so … Keywords Shakespeare, Controversy, Tragedy, Othello, Iago. Othello’s final speech is an important aspect of this reading. Get tips and ideas in OUTLINE. STUDY. Othello, the protagonist of the tragedy, the moor of Venice is trapped in the conspiracies of his competitors and subordinates. Two interpretations of Othello: a feminist reading, and a reading based on class and power. She also suggests Othello is in an ambiguous position because of his race. Created by. Murder! Indeed, not only is “seeing” and the gap between appearance and reality a central theme of the play, it overlaps with other major thematic strands and sheds light on still others, including the theme of patriarchy and the political state. Flashcards. The audience should be left in no doubt, this is not merely Iago’s work, but also the state’s, by way of negligence. When the violence settles and the Senate members, including the Duke, regain control at the end of Act 5 Scene 2, Lodovico’s closing speech should echo this, shifting the blame entirely onto Iago, reinforced by the lines “Look on the tragic loading of this bed:/ This is thy work”. (Act 5, Scene 2, 165-68). This can be visually and dramatically demonstrated by Iago’s physical dominance over Othello, as Othello writhes on the floor, and symbolises the role and power reversal that has taken place with Othello’s compliance, but without his knowledge. But here’s my husband;/ And so much duty as my mother showed/ To you, preferring you before her father, / So much I challenge…” In doing this, Desdemona shows simultaneously her strong will by “challenging” her father, and her reliance on the patriarchal structures inherent in her life. It is based on the Cinthio short story Un Capitano Moro (‘A Moorish Captain’), and it is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, dealing with such themes as jealousy, envy, undeserved reputations, gossip, and the issue of racial prejudice.. On this last issue, it is necessary to examine the unclear … Othello is a brave and competent soldier of advanced years and Moorish background in the service of the Venetian Republic.He elopes with Desdemona, the beautiful daughter … He leads an intense life, swinging between triumph and dread. By doing this, she ultimately pays a price: her life. Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603. The Turkish attack may have been quelled, but it also bodes badly for Othello's ship. Othello (/ oʊ ˈ θ ɛ l oʊ /) is a character in Shakespeare's Othello (c. 1601–1604). Othello synonyms, Othello pronunciation, Othello translation, English dictionary definition of Othello. The Moor hath killed my mistress! Essentially, Iago might […], Jealousy is explored in the song Jealousy by 702 in numerous ways. 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