Human Weakness In Othello
I have always felt that I have never read a more terrible exposure of human weakness - of universal human weakness - than the last great speech of Othello. After quoting Othello 's valedictory utterance, Eliot went further to say: What Othello seems to me to be doing in making this speech is cheering himself up. He is endeavouring to escape reality, he has ceased to think about Desdemona, and is thinking about himself ... Othello succeeds in turning himself into a pathetic figure, by adopting an aesthetic rather than a moral attitude, dramatising himself against his environment. He takes in the spectator, but the human motive is primarily to take in himself. I do not believe that nay writer has ever exposed this bovarysme, the human will to see things as they are not, more clearly than Shakespeare (1951, 130). Perhaps with this in mind, A. L. Rowse in Shakespeare 's Globe considered Othello an ass or a beast of burden like the cow that is notorious for its stupidity. Indeed Othello manifests "bovarysme" (narcissism or self-love) as a human weakness the white people - particularly Iago and Desdemona 's father who calls him a black ram - refuse to tolerate. The main reason is because it always underlies his relationships, activities, and value judgements. More than other Shakespearian characters such as Caliban (anagram of cannibal) and Aaron, the alienated Moor of Venice touched Eliot 's imagination and intellect before his graduation from Harvard University. At the same
Vulnerability In Shakespeare's Othello
1384 Words | 6 PagesThrough all walks of life, one person’s jealousy, hatred, or stupidity affects innocent people’s lives and puts them in a position where they are most vulnerable. Vulnerability can be described as being susceptible to physical or mental attack or harm. In the play Othello, Shakespeare argues that Desdemona is the most susceptible to physical and mental attacks. Although other characters are potentially susceptible to attacks, Desdemona’s tendency to indirectly be caught in the crossfires of Iago, Othello, and Cassio’s actions makes her the character in Othello that is most vulnerable.
Desdemona's Insecurity In Othello
1111 Words | 5 PagesOthello dealt with thoughts of self-recrimination and he’d developed internalized oppression due to the people he’d encountered in his life in Venice. Internalized oppression was a side effect of living in Italy during the 1500’s if one was not white. Othello was one of the most important, if not the only, black men in Italy during that time. He was a highly respected general of the armies of Venice, and despite being black, he prospered during his time there. Though, inevitably, the people of Venice (i.e. Cassio, Desdemona, Iago) were the very ones responsible for his insane actions and tragic death.
Who Is Responsible For Othello's Downfall
882 Words | 4 PagesOthello’s Demise Othello, the lead character in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, is done in by the same character attributes, which propelled him to become a great military leader. He has accomplished great victories in battle to the likes, of no others. He is held in high regard throughout the nations as one of the greatest military leaders and is called upon to fight in the most challenging battles successfully. There is no deterrence, by Othello even though his is not of the same race or from the same country, whom he defends.
Othello Character Flaws
491 Words | 2 PagesIn “Othello”, the main character, Othello, shows many flaws. But throughout the story, Othello isn’t the only character that shows character flaws. Most of the characters have some sort of flaws. The major flaws that are shown throughout the story are: Cassio’s fight, Desdemona’s loyalty, and Emilia’s loyalty are all character flaws that lead to the play’s tragic outcome. All of these flaws are connected also.
Jealousy And Manipulation In Othello
700 Words | 3 Pages“Othello” written by William Shakespeare revolves around this protagonist who is depicted as strong and powerful. To everyone he is known as Othello or the Moor. Throughout the play, Shakespeare portrays numerous counts of jealousy and manipulation around many of the characters. It is mainly illustrated through Iago, the antagonist of the play, who manipulates other to their downfall. Iago who is known for always being true and honest towards others has easily earned the trust of everyone around him, thus giving himself an advantage on his schemes.
How Othello's Character Changes
844 Words | 4 PagesOthello’s character undergoes a significant change due to a series of events at the hands of Iago, the play’s antagonist to enhance the fact that even a valiant heroes can become corrupt. In the beginning of the play, Othello adores
The Audience In Othello
931 Words | 4 PagesThe common aim of playwrights of any time or location is to capture and hold the attention of their audience; this is what Shakespeare has clearly done. The tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, is one of Shakespeare 's most renowned plays. Through construction of intriguing characters, exploration of universal themes, use of comic relief and a well-written script featuring a compelling plot, Shakespeare ensured the tragedy of Othello would hold the interest of the audience; despite being over four centuries old. It possesses so many conditions that can be accentuated to hit nerves with both a Shakespearean and modern audience. The entire plot of Othello is very much like the attitudes and methods of our modern day society.
Blind Trust In Othello
1545 Words | 7 PagesThe play Othello by William Shakespeare paints a picture of a noble character by the name of Othello. Othello’s nature was “noble, innocent, modest, and free” and yet he still possessed several tragic flaws that ultimately led to his downfall (Martin 47). Othello suffered from many flaws but the largest were jealousy, quick judgment, and blind trust in Iago. While Othello’s tragic flaws were clearly present these flaws would never have led to Othello’s downfall had it not have been for Othello’s greatest flaw, blind trust in Iago. Othello’s blind trust in Iago led to other flaws such as jealousy and quick judgment playing a major role in Othello’s life in the play Othello by William Shakespeare.
Jealousy Quotes In Othello
759 Words | 4 PagesThe tragedy of Othello written by William Shakespeare presents the main character Othello as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man. However, because of his insecurities and good nature he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his alleged friends. Shakespeare is known for his exceptional ability to compose plays full of deceit, revenge, and jealousy. Jealousy is an underlying theme throughout the tragedy and has been represented by many of the main characters, such as Iago, Roderigo, and Othello. The topic of jealousy will ultimately lead to the demise of many characters throughout the tragedy.
Theme Of Racism In Othello
1225 Words | 5 PagesThese two villains slander Othello to the point of eradicating any pity the audience could have developed towards Othello. The Venetians also have a hidden fascination for Othello and his foreign qualities but, they mask feelings with negative slurs. The audience also affected by the portrayal of Othello, and are persuaded to feel pity for him because of his circumstances; being betrayed by his ensign and being looked down upon because of his Moorish descent. Shakespeare also uses racism as a creative apparatus to generate a metaphor between Desdemona and Othello.
Theme Of Dishonesty In Othello
750 Words | 3 PagesIn the play Othello, William Shakespeare creates an elaborate tragedy with various in depth characters, enhancing the story with powerful characterization. Iago, the main antagonist of Othello, exemplifies Shakespeare’s use of characterization to create in depth and complex characters. Using his manipulative nature, intellectual mind, egotistical attitude, and dishonesty, Iago controls the other characters in order to achieve his goal, leading Othello to succumb to an overwhelming jealousy causing his downfall. In order for Iago to gain control of the characters in the play, he manipulates Othello, Roderigo, Cassio, and more to believe false information and turn on one another.
Crisis Of Identity In Othello Essay
1327 Words | 6 PagesOthello’s This rage at Desdemona’s infidelity signals destmetion of his identity as a successful and loving man. It shows that he now completely loses control of himself, he no longer is that gentle man. He has become so poisoned by the manipulation of Iago, he no longer hears out for his “fair
The Dark Side Of Human Nature In Shakespeare's Othello
517 Words | 3 PagesHe is manipulative and tells Othello to “observe her [Desdemona] well with Cassio” (Shakespeare, 3.3:197). Iago feeds Othello with countless lies and makes him miserable with something that is not factual. He is determined to get revenge and he does not realize Iago stands insincere. Furthermore, Iago is selfish when he tells Othello, “I am yours for ever” (3.3:479). He betrays Othello yet still let’s him depend on him for his own
Theme Of Weakness In Othello
457 Words | 2 PagesIn Shakespeare 's play, Othello, the main character, Othello, displays actions that are classified as weak or strong emotionally. Throughout the play, Othello shows more weakness than strength when he turns over to jealousy, hits Desdemona, and calls her names shortly before wrongfully killing her. Othello’s first action of weakness shows when he turns jealous. Iago, his ensign, convinces him that his wife, Desdemona, has been having an affair with his lieutenant, Cassio. This is Othello’s response to Iago’s mortifying news, “She’s gone, I am abused, and my relief / Must be to loathe her.
How Is Othello A Tragic Hero
440 Words | 2 PagesTragic heroes always meet their demise in the end. They have characteristics that result in their tragic deaths. In William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Othello, the protagonist Othello exemplifies the characteristics of a tragic hero. A tragic hero has a flaw which results in the character’s untimely death.
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