During the sixteenth century, men were able to control their wives and women were not able to speak out against their husbands, including Emilia, a character in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, is completely underestimated by every character, including her husband, Iago. In the beginning of the play, Emilia is submissive, but in the end she transforms and stands up to her husband and doesn’t let […]

Manipulation in William Shakespeare’s “Othello” In William Shakespeare’s play “Othello”, almost every character, and even the audience, is manipulated at least once. Iago, the villain, is responsible for most of this betrayal. He is a master at the art of deception. He gains the trust of the other characters by posing as a concerned friend. When they confide in him, he uses their weakness against […]

In Shakespeare’s time black people were classed as second-class citizens. They were often looked at as devil-like and evil. This was, however, a stereotypical view, often accepted by the people of Shakespeare’s day. People looked at the Bible to show that black people were devil-like and evil. The Bible tells the story of Noah and the Ark. In the Ark it was forbidden to have […]

“Although the plots of Shakespeare’s plays are specific, the motivations of the characters — as well as of Shakespeare himself — have been the source of much debate. Arguments continue over interpretations of Shakespeare’s intentions in part because his plays remain so profoundly relevant. ” (www. pbs. org, Teachers’ Guide, Othello : Essay on race, web. ) Othello is the story of a Berber who […]

Othello is a character displaying all the classic traits of a tragic hero. Linguistically he is eloquent in style; “Rude am I in my speech and little blessed with the soft phrase of speech” (1.3.82-3). This also implies his modest side although he generally acts as an epic hero as opposed to a Christian leader and this too is reflected in his highly courageous and […]

Explication Othello: 3. 3. 258-271. “Why did I marry? … … I do beseech your Honour. ” 1. Determine the context of the passage. Othello is doubting Desdemona, and Iago is trying to plant the idea that Desdemona has a hidden agenda with trying to persuade Othello to reinstate Cassio. 2. Describe the passage in its most overt form. (Does it rhyme, does it repeat […]

Jealousy is the central theme in the play “Othello” by William Shakespeare. It is the most famous literary work that focuses on the dangers of jealousy. The play is a study of how jealousy can ruin lives – even with only the most circumstantial evidence of guilt. The play opens in Venice and revolves mainly around a man called Othello. It’s his actions and thoughts […]

When the aspirational values of an individual become all-consuming, the relationships of those close to them are destroyed, through the corruption of loyalty and trust. Both Shakespeare’s Othello and Geoffrey Sax’s Othello portray many elements of tragedy, by exploring the relationship of Othello and Iago/Jago, and the way his manipulations distort Othello’s mind. Iago’s zealousness in Shakespeare’s play Othello reflect the elements of a fatal […]

“Jealousy, a very powerful characteristic which is present in every human being on this planet, this attribute leads to negative events which can destroy relationships and consume the mind this can simply turn into anger and overcome the victim and make them do things that are not in their power. This is not absent in Othello and is shown constantly throughout the play. This trait […]

Marlene Romo Professor Williams English 1B 4 December, 2011 Othello’s Tragic Fall According to Aristotle, a tragedy must include the downfall of the tragic hero brought upon by his hamartia, in other words his weakness or flaw. It must also be comprised of the hero’s peripetia, where when he once had it all, it is now all lost. After the peripetia, the anagnorises follows; this […]