Theme Of Responsibility In Othello
Responsibility is the ability to realize the fault in your actions and accept the consequences. In Shakespeare 's Othello, a play that explores love, jealousy and betrayal, three characters experience a pivotal revelation than fundamentally changes them. Both Othello and Emilia experience a moment of truth in which they accept responsibility for their actions and achieve nobility of character.
During his moment of truth, Othello accepts that his irrationality cost Desdemona her life and that he must receive punishment. After Iago has killed Emilia for her disloyalty Othello exclaims towards Desdemona 's body “O ill-starr’d wench, pale as thy smock” By calling Desdemona “ill starr 'd” Othello is drawing an allusion to the belief that people
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During her moment of truth, Emilia accepts punishment for her naivete towards her husband 's evil plot and redeems her damaged character. Distraught from Desdemona 's death, Emilia asks Iago if he really has done what she fears, she declares “Disprove this villain if thou be’st a man” On the surface, Emilia is telling Iago that he is to tell Othello what he did if he “man” enough to publicly acknowledge his true evil, as much of his treachery is sneaky and underhanded. Additionally, asking Iago if he “be’st a man” also insinuates that Iago is not a man, but rather a malicious demon that is not human. Later in the scene, Iago tells Emilia to go home and she replies with “T’is proper I obey him, but not now Perchance, Iago, I will never go home” To be “proper” is to be suitable or appropriate. Emilia is expected to follow all of her husband 's commands yet when Emilia says that she will never go home she means that she will never take orders from her husband again now that she knows the atrocities he committed. There is also an element of irony as Emilia never makes it home because soon after she speaks out against her husband, she is killed by Iago. This act of defiance against her husband restores Emilia to a self sufficient woman no longer under the manipulative grasp of her husband. After she is stabbed by her husband Emilia utters her last words “Moor, she was chaste; she loved thee, cruel Moor; So come my soul to bliss, as I speak true”. “Chaste” means pure and
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.
Iago And Marxist Criticism In Shakespeare's Othello
992 Words | 4 PagesIn this quote Iago’s choice of words shows how he sees her, as his possession. This is why Marxist criticism is the criticism that best describes Iago, he is the true definition of a Marxist character. He likes that sense of power that he has over her and their marriage. Iago doesn’t care about the relationship that he and Emilia have but he cares about what come with the thought of marriage. Typically in a marriage the man is who pays the bills, runs the household, and makes the wife stay home.
Theme Of Trust In Othello
1452 Words | 6 PagesShakespeare’s Othello chronicles the downfall of a noble Moor, Othello, who is deceived by a man he considers his friend, Iago. Throughout the course of the play, Iago toys with Othello and eventually leads him to murder and lose his love, his new wife Desdemona. Iago exploits the unquestioned trust Othello places in him to achieve evil ends. As such, trust is a central theme in the story.
Theme Of Reputation In Othello
269 Words | 2 PagesIn Shakespeare's Othello, Cassio compares reputation to generosity but Iago uses his reputation to achieve his desire and thinks it is even ethical to do dishonorable work in order to protect it. The main antagonist, Iago uses his reputation to portray vicious activity. Over the years, Iago has earned a good name called “Honest Iago” (1.3.292).The name allows Iago to mask his real identity and manipulate his enemies. One of the victims of Iago’s manipulation is the lieutenant named, Cassio who destroys his own reputation and inadvertently paves the way for Iago’s promotion. In addition, Cassio equates reputation to his own humanity and when it is lost due to his drunk behavior he thinks, “ [he] has lost the immortal part of [himself] and
Thesis Statement For Othello
494 Words | 2 PagesAs humans we all have been where rumors have been spread about us or where we do the opposite. They, however, all tend to do some harm to us and it can cause certain conflicts to occur during the process. Death can be the outcome of something like this because this did happen to three innocent people. They were all wrapped up in a bed of lies that ended their lives sooner than expected. Thesis statement: Othello Desdemona and Emilia ended up with unfortunate deaths because of Othello 's integrity towards Iago.
Reputation And Honor In Shakespeare's Othello
1039 Words | 5 PagesReputation and honor creates for the most riveting theme in Shakespeare’s Othello. Evidently, no character speaks of themselves as an honorable person; instead they boast and use their reputation to unveil their superiority. Foremost, it defines a character and how they are perceived in society. Allows for the influencing or manipulation of others at the same time, concealing any wrongful acts. Eventually, in the long run it even determines the ending results.
How Othello's Character Changes
844 Words | 4 PagesOthello starts to believe Iago’s lies about his friends and wife, leading Othello to change his behavior towards his closest allies. Iago instigates a fight between Cassio and Montano, and Othello must take charge of his soldiers, he says: Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee But never more be officer of mine. (2.3.210-213) Othello makes the decision to fire Cassio, and things get worse when Iago makes his wife, Emilia, steal Desdemona 's handkerchief.
Betrayal In Othello
1477 Words | 6 PagesHe ends up uses all the money Rodrigo gave him, for himself. Not only that, but Iago ends up killing Roderigo, he says, “if Roderigo lives, he’ll expect me to give back all the gold and jewels I swindled him out of as gifts to Desdemona, that must not happen.” Iago stabs Roderigo, and puts all the charges on him. Emilia is Iago’s wife as well as Desdemona’s maid, he lacks attention and sympathy towards her. It is very obvious that he does not care about her.
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.
Iago's Perception Of Women In Othello
395 Words | 2 PagesAlthough, Iago creates this immoral images of women to feed his revenge, while doing it by this mean he reveals his true perception of women. Iago perceives his wife as a promiscuous woman and without having any facts or proof convinces himself and takes as a fact the rumor that Emilia had an affair with Othello (1.3.324-27). Iago acknowledges his wife as an easy woman who has betrayed him more than once, murmuring: “For I fear Cassio with my
Theme Of Manipulation In Othello
944 Words | 4 PagesWhen he does not get the position he wants and also heard that Othello has been sleeping with his wife Emilia, Iago’s manipulation increases. Iago plans his scheme based on, “[Othello] has done my office, I know not if’t be true/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind/ Will do as if for surety” (I. III. 431-433). This use of manipulation is all based on an assumption that Othello has slept with Iago’s wife, and this assumption leads to even more horrible events.
The Handkerchief In Othello Essay
434 Words | 2 PagesEmilia stated, “I have a thing for you. What handkerchief? Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona, that which so often you did bid me steal (lines 310-315).” With this quote, it shows the readers how evil Iago is. It also shows that with no remorse, he can use a simple thing to completely destroy
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.
Othello Act 3 Scene 3 Analysis
982 Words | 4 PagesIago’s powerfully disruptive insinuations torment Othello to fall precipitously into his intricate trap, believing in the prospect of Cassio and Desdemona’s fictitious affair. Through the use of linguistic techniques such as elliptical speech, subservient vocative choices and a hesitant tone, Iago is able to construct artful innuendoes to deceive and manipulate Othello. Supplementary to linguistic techniques, dramatic techniques such as dramatic irony reinforces Iago’s role as a two-faced villain, who is making a pretence of being Othello’s loyal ensign. Eventually, Iago’s villainy nature sows a seed of doubt in Othello that germinates into the murder of Desdemona. Through the characterisation of Iago as a notorious villain, Shakespeare is able to hold Iago’s actions accountable for the play’s tragic downfall, establishing a sense of powerlessness amongst the
Theme Of Betrayal In Othello
705 Words | 3 Pages“Run away Simba… run… run away and never return.” As many know this is one of the most iconic lines spoken by Scar in Disney's Lion King; and it sums up Scar's betrayal of his own family perfectly. Betrayal is a very common action many characters develope–in all forms of entertainment. Creators do this not just to push the plot forward but to develop a character–more often than not a villain–who they want the audience or reader to garner distrusting disgust towards. Shakespeare, being one of the greatest playwrights of all time, it makes perfect sense he would include themes of betrayal in his work; Lago is betrayal reincarnated.
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