Comparative Differences Between Romeo And Othello

Khanna 1
Introduction

‘Comparative Study’ on two different characters from the same writer reveals out the differences and similarities between them and this comparison is laid on common motives or characteristics used by the writer in respect to his/her characters. The following paper provides a similar comparative study on two of the most famous Shakespearean Characters: Juliet from Romeo and Juliet and Desdemona from Othello, by William Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was one of the greatest English poets and playwrights of Elizabethan era. His various contributions to the field of English literature include tragedies or tragic plays and tragicomedies, also known as romances. Even in 20th and 21st centuries, that is the present day world, his works are still performed and studied in diverse languages for educational, cultural and political purposes. In Shakespeare’s plays, there are themes people never get tired of as he mainly emphasized on

The play belongs to a tradition of tragic romances and is based upon two young misfortunate lovers Romeo and Juliet, whose deaths ultimately harmonize their feuding families. While the character of Desdemona is taken from another famous tragedy by Shakespeare, Othello. The play revolves around the story of Othello, the Moor of Venice and his beloved wife, Desdemona. The play is followed by the themes of racism, jealousy, love, betrayal, revenge and repentance.
The female characters in the both the plays, Juliet and Desdemona, were portrayed to have belonging from upper-caste families of then contemporary society of Verona and Venice respectively. They both were expected to consider their family’s reputation and their entitled gender roles first rather than focusing on their personal interests and choices according to that point of time in history but breaking all the social norms entitled to that
Khanna