...“Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.” This proverb would’ve been crucial if Othello had heard this before he killed his wife, Desdemona. Although there were supposed signs that she was being unfaithful to him, it would’ve done him better to actively look into the situation first. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, deception is used to distort Othello’s perception of Desdemona from being a faithful wife to a shameless whore. But how did such a malicious image lead to such a tragic end? The object at the center of Desdemona’s supposed unfaithfulness was the handkerchief. The white handkerchief with strawberry patterns woven into it was the first gift that Othello gave Desdemona, and it became a symbol of their pure love and unwavering devotion to each other. But soon after Othello, Iago, and their wives arrive at Cyprus, Othello hears a rumor that Desdemona has been cheating on him with Michael Cassio, his former lieutenant. The handkerchief becomes a symbol of wasted love when Iago tells Othello that Michael Cassio was found wiping his face with it at a tavern. This claim fills Othello with anger and fear that Desdemona might not...
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...The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story Un Capitano Moro ("A Moorish Captain") by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army; his wife, Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio; and his trusted ensign, Iago. Because of its varied and current themes of racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal, Othello is still often performed in professional and community theatres alike and has been the basis for numerous operatic, film, and literary adaptations. The play opens with Roderigo, a rich and dissolute gentleman, complaining to Iago, a high-ranking soldier, that Iago has not told him about the secret marriage between Desdemona, the daughter of a Senator named Brabantio, and Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army. He is upset by this development because he loves Desdemona and had previously asked her father for her hand in marriage. Iago hates Othello for promoting a younger man named Michael Cassio above him, and tells Roderigo that he plans to use Othello for his own advantage. Iago is also angry because he believes, or at least gives the pretence of belief, that Othello slept with his wife Emilia. Iago denounces Cassio as a scholarly tactician with no real battle experience; in contrast, Iago is a battle-tested soldier. By emphasizing Roderigo's...
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...Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice William Shakespeare’s play entitled Othello contained many striking scenes that contributed to the play’s climax and its relevance as a whole. The climax was Othello killing his wife over his jealousy. Othello’s jealousy stemmed in part from his own insecurities and also from Iago continuing to plant more doubt in him. These things collectively caused Othello to murder his wife, Desdemona. To get Othello to the point of murdering someone he loved so dearly, Iago conjured up accusations of infidelity against Desdemona. Certain scenes play different roles in leading up to Desdemona’s death. This paper will discuss the scenes and prove that they directly lead to the death of Desdemona. In act 5 Scene 2, Othello commits murder against his wife Desdemona as part of a bond he made with Iago, the deal was that Iago would kill Cassio and then Othello in turn would have to murder Desdemona. In this scene, Othello has an intimate conversation with himself and then speaks to his wife when she awakes. With himself, he talks about how fair and pure she looks. She is beautiful and seemingly untainted to him he is hesitant to kill her. He talks to her about praying that Heaven have mercy on her soul for her sins. He does not want to kill her soul as well as her body. It is obvious that he does not want to do anything to hurt Desdemona at all, but he feels that it is his duty as an “honorable man”. He portrays his grief about having to kill Desdemona in V.2...
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...person to work harder for what they want. Unfortunately, the acts of jealousy in Othello are not good and result in death. After examining jealousy in Othello, it is clear that jealousy ruins relationships and in some cases, jealousy is only satisfied by destroying others. Iago and Cassio are friends before all of the drama of being picked for lieutenant happens. Iago believes that he, himself, is a very good soldier and he should be chosen as Othello’s lieutenant. However, when Cassio gets chosen as Othello’s lieutenant, Iago becomes angry and jealous. Therefore, he wants to sabotage and destroy Cassio so that he can take his position. Iago is...
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...Othello 总共5个人：Othello,Desdemona,Emilia,Iago，Montatno Voice over: Othello looked very angry and grumpy, it’s a sure sign of distrust. So he decided to kill his wife. And no one can stop him. Emilia: You dont look well .What’s wrong with you, madam? Desdemona: I had a dream.He has changed, changed. Emilia: Sorry, madam, I can’t clear you. Who? Desdemona: Oh,My lord, my husband. My honey Othello. (Othello上) Othello: Emilia，you have finished your work, you can go now. Emilia: Yes, my lord. Othello: Don’t forget to close the door. Desdemona: My lord. Do you remember your promise? Othello: Ha? Do u mean promise? Desdemona: You promised that you will recover Cassio’s place. Othello: Oh, well, there is a sand in my eyes. Lend me your handkerchief. Desdemona: Here, my lord. Othello:. That which I gave you. Desdemona: Sorry, I have it not about me Othello:. Hum Hum Hum Hum Desdemona: No, indeed, my lord. Othello: That handkerchief did an Egyptian give to my mother, and my mother gave it to me. Desdemona: Oh, really, I hope I had never seen it! Othello: Why? You have lost it. Show it to me, please! Desdemona: Why are you so angry? Othello: Let me see the handkerchief! Desdemona: Ok, but not now. Oh, I see. This is a trick to put me from my suit: Pray you, let Cassio be received again. Othello: The handkerchief! Desdemona: Come, come; you’ll never meet a more sufficient man. Othello: The handkerchief! Desdemona. I pray, talk me of Cassio. Othello....
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...great role in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello. Most of the irony in the play relates to the main villain in the play, Iago, who is motivated by his jealousy. Iago is jealous of Othello’s military success and Cassio being promoted to Othello’s lieutenant position instead of himself. Iago plans to take revenge against Othello by manipulating Cassio and Desdemona, who is Othello’s wife. Iago is a well respected character in the play, so he would not be suspected to be the culprit. He tries to fake an affair between Cassio and Desdemona that would surely be tragic for Othello. The...
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...David Olsen Othello Essay Intro to Lit 4/14/12 Instructor: The Opinionator The handkerchief plays a central role in Shakespeare’s Othello. It was given to Othello by his mother, and then given to Desdemona by Othello. It may seem farfetched that something as simple as a handkerchief could make a person murder someone else, but when I look back at the story that is exactly happens. The handkerchief symbolizes the relationship and trust between Othello and Desdemona. This seemingly normal handkerchief has a very deep meaning to Othello, and when he finds out who has possession of it towards the end of the play he goes into a frenzy. The whole reason that the handkerchief becomes an object of evil and jealousy is because Iago uses it as a tool to persuade Othello that Cassio is seeing Desdemona. The whole circle of betrayal begins when Desdemona drops the handkerchief and Emilia picks it up. Iago had told Emilia to do so for quite some time. Once Emilia turns it over to Iago, he almost immediately goes to work in his evil ways. He plants the handkerchief in Cassio’s apartment. Cassio can’t figure out whose it is and takes it. Cassio ends up giving it to Bianca. Iago sets the second part of his plot into action when he talks to Othello later on when they are alone`. He tells Othello that he suspects Desdemona is being unfaithful to him with Cassio. Othello demands proof of the affair, and Iago informs him that he saw Cassio give the handkerchief...
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...out with Emilia being questioned by Othello. Othello wants to know if what Iago says is true. He asks Emilia “You have seen nothing then?” trying to subtly figure out if Emilia has seen Desdemona with Cassio cheating. Emilia explains to Othello “she is honest” and Desdemona would never do such a thing. Othello doesn’t believe her, once Emilia exits Othello has a soloiquily where he first mentions that Desdemona is a whore. Desdemona and Emilia both enter back into the scene. Othello makes Emilia leave so he can talk to Desdemona in private. He then accuses Desdemona of cheating and when she doesn’t admit Othello says “Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell”. This line, which is a simile, shows what huge manipulation...
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...OTHELLO In the tragedy Othello, written by Shakespeare in 1604, about a Moor named Othello who marries the beautiful Desdemona, causes much disdain and envy in the masses. A man named Iago deceives Othello and everyone else to manipulate for his own cause and jealousy and ultimately meets his doom when Iago’s wife spills the truth of Iago’s deceit. As Othello plays as the tragic hero, Iago plays out to be the villain, who is also very reminiscent of the devil. Iago reflects all that can be evil in humans and he is revealed throughout the play as the devil. Iago is scheming, untrustworthy, and cunning. He doesn’t care who he hurts or destroys as he makes his way towards his endgame. Iago is jealous of Othello, Cassio, and others because he believes Othello has had an affair with his wife, Cassio has attained a higher position as well as his superiors. This results in a plan to destroy those in power because of his insecurities and gain control over what he does not. Iago’s corruption is initially revealed as he speaks with Brabantio outside his home in the streets of Venice about how Othello is ruining his daughter. Iago is with his “friend,” Roderigo, and talks of Desdemona, “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.91). While Iago is speaking with Rodreigo before they plan to yell up to Brabantio’s window, “For when my outward action doth demonstrate the native act and figure of my heart. In compliment extern, 'tis not long after...
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...play was Othello which is the second most popular Shakespeare play. Othello is a tragedy written by Shakespeare between 1601 and 1604. The main character of this play is Othello who is frame by Iago to believe that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello is a Moorish general in the service of Venice. He was blinded by Iago to seek revenge against his wife and his lieutenant. The theme revenge is portrayed throughout the whole play. Such evil act is plotted and executed by the character Iago. He is focused on destroying Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant and does not care who will get hurt in the process of his vengeance. Iago main target was Othello; he was determined to take revenge against Othello by using numerous characters throughout the play. The first target was Barbantino Desdemona father followed by, Roderigo, Cassio and his wife Emilia. Revenge was the driven force that drove Iago to plot and carefully executes the tragic that ended with Othello and Desdemona life. Revenge is an unceasing theme throughout the play Othello. Iago’s character was seeking revenge against Othello. He is determined to fulfill his plans despite of who will get hurt or involve. Iago vengeance is a result of Othello Overseen him for promotion and instead his promotes Cassio to lieutenant. Such promotion is the driven force behind Iago malicious revenge and hate towards Othello. Iago has dedicated many years of service and loyalty to Othello. When Cassio...
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...W1 Professor Sharon Wang Final Paper The Tragic Hero Othello “Othello” is one of the four Shakespeare’s famous tragedies. It is also the name of the leading character. Shakespeare makes this character vivid through depicting what he says and does, and impresses audiences with his extremely tragic ending. There is no doubt that Othello is a tragic hero. At the beginning of the play, he was a brilliant military commander who beat a large number of enemies. He even married Desdemona, a beautiful white woman. He was a respected war hero and a loving husband. He was so successful. However, at the end of the play, due to his tragic flaws, he became an irrational murderer full of jealousy and killed his wife and himself. In the paper, I mainly analyze how Othello became a tragic hero thanks to his internal imperfections and how he conformed to Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. According to Aristotle’s definition, a tragic hero must occupy a high position and a noble stature. Othello met this part well. At the beginning of the play, Othello was a military general, a high status in the Venetian society. What’s more, many details of the play indicate that Othello was respected by most characters. For example, the Duke of Venice referred Othello as “Valiant Othello”. Montano called Othello as “brave Othello”. Even a herald praiseed Othello and said “our noble and valiant general”. Venetians relied on Othello because of his excellent military capabilities. In Act I...
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...seems only obvious that Shakespeare who is renowned for his exploration of universal themes chooses to explore the determents of these desires for the individuals and their relationships in his play Othello. The strive to acquire or retain authority and control is explored through the dynamics between the main male characters- Othello and Iago. Shakespeare initially employs binary characterization of these two, Iago depicted as power- hungry and the personification of evil with a strong hatred towards Othello. This characterisation is established early in the play when Iago states to Roderigo...
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...Othello – Summary of Act I. Shakespeare's famous play of love turned bad by unfounded jealousy, begins in Venice with Iago, a soldier under Othello's command arguing with Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian. Roderigo has paid Iago a considerable sum of money to spy on Othello for him, since he wishes to take Othello's girlfriend, Desdemona as his own. Roderigo fears that Iago has not been telling him enough about Desdemona and that this proves Iago's real loyalty is to Othello not him. Iago explains his hatred of Othello for choosing Cassio as his officer or lieutenant and not him as he expected. To regain Roderigo's trust, Iago and Roderigo inform Brabantio, Desdemona's father of her relationship with Othello, the "Moor" which enrages Brabantio into sending parties out at night to apprehend Othello for what must obviously be in Brabantio's eyes, an abuse of his daughter by Othello... Iago lies that Roderigo and not himself, was responsible for angering Brabantio against Othello, Iago telling Othello that he should watch out for Brabantio's men who are looking for him. Othello decides not to hide, since he believes his good name will stand him in good stead. We learn that Othello has married Desdemona. Brabantio and Roderigo arrive, Brabantio accusing Othello of using magic on his daughter. Othello stops a fight before it can happen but Othello is called away to discuss a crisis in Cypress, much to the anger of Brabantio who wants justice for what he believes Othello has done...
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...Racism in Othello Othello, by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that tells that story of what happens to a man named Othello after he marries a woman named Desdemona. Othello is a black man, known throughout the play as a Moor and he marries the daughter of a white Venetian Senator. One of the most critical themes of the play is race. While racism is a reoccurring theme throughout the play, the play itself is not racist. The main character is a black man and the evil villain is white. Shakespeare does not dumb down Othello just because he is black, but rather he portrays Othello as a well-liked, high ranking officer in the Venetian military. During the time that Shakespeare wrote Othello many people were racists and people of color where thought of as savage (Essay). Many people at that time would have felt that an interracial marriage was wrong. They would have not thought that Shakespeare’s writing was racist. The audience would be used to the type of racist language Shakespeare used (Blum). Shakespeare would not have been thought of as being racist. The play itself is not racist, but rather individual characters are either racist or not. The most racist character is Iago. Iago is considered “honest” when in reality he is a pure villain. The audience knows that Iago is not what he seems to be. He shares his plans for destroying Othello. Even though Iago is white, he plays the bad guy, while Othello is considered a good man. Iago hates Othello because he did...
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...Othello Essay English 30-1 2.Why does Othello not investigate Iago’s accusation? Why does Othello not seek his own proof of Desdemona Betrayal? “A true friend stabs you in the front."- Oscar Wilde A True Friend ? In the play Othello, by Shakespeare, Othello does not investigate Iago’s accusations of Desdemona. Othello has known Iago longer then Desdemona, in which it can be assumed that Othello has a great trust in Iago over his wife. This trust could be the devastation of Othello believing Iago word over his wife Desdemona when accused of being unfaithful with Cassio. Iago always shows Othello his trust by making Othello believe that he is there for him. Iago does not only play with Othello’s mind by talking to him and lying to him, but Iago also play’s with other’s characters minds too. Iago is always trying to gain Othello trust so that he seems to be there for him giving Othello the sense of being “best friends”. Iago’s conversations with Othello always make him think about what Desdemona and what could she possibly be doing, but Othello loves Desdemona way too much. There for Othello always believes her, which is why Iago has to try to show Othello that Desdemona is not to be trusted, he then manipulates Othello by making him think that Desdemona is being false to him with Cassio. This is when Othello asks Iago to have Emilia, Iago’s wife to be Desdemona’s servant to watch after her, Iago tells Othello not to worry about it. However, Iago is not only playing...
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