Othello And His Masculinity Essay

Othello and His Masculinity Essay
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'Be a man', how are ideas of masculinity presented in Othello.
Othello is set during the Elizabethan era, where men were considered to be the leaders and women their inferiors. Women were often regarded as the
'weaker sex'. This patriarchal society and theme of male superiority is portrayed throughout the play. These themes are depicted through the
relationships between the characters. Brabantio and Desdemona's relationship shows how he believed the traditional Elizabethan view, that men were
to control and dominate their wife's or daughters. He is furious at Othello for stealing his daughter from him. Also, Othello's masculinity is destroyed
through the poisoning of his mind against Desdemona, his wife. Iago also treats his wife...show more content...
Othello believes that Desdemona is his possession, an object in his life which is supposed to show he honour and reputation as a man, therefore the
belief that Desdemona has broken that honour and nobility forces Othello to destroy her.
We can see the breakdown of Othello's masculinity by the breakdown of his language. At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses blank verse
for Othello's parts. Othello speak in iambic pentameter, clearly and purposefully. He portrays himself and a confident and noble man when
Brabantio accuses him for using witchcraft to win Desdemona. He replies in a poetic and calm manner, in comparison to Brabantio, who is
aggressive and rude. Othello states, "Rude am I in my speech..." he is very humble, he apologises beforehand in case he offends anyone. We
recognise him as a powerful speaker; we also know that Desdemona is seduced by his storytelling, therefore showing him as authoritative and
dominating. However, as the play moves on and we begin to see Iago deception taking over Othello's mind, his speech turns to prose. He begins to
turn aggressive as he takes in more or Iago manipulative lies. "Damn her, lewd minx!, oh damn her, damn her!" and regards Desdemona as "the fair
devil", he speaks in hell imagery, which is in contrast to his previous heavenly marriage with Desdemona. This shows he is weak, therefore destroying
his masculinity once again.
Furthermore, Othello is a black man in a
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Othello Analysis Essay examples
The tragedy of Othello, written by William Shakespeare, presents the main character Othello, as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man, but
because of his insecurities and good nature, he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his peers and alleged friends. The dynamic of Othello's
character significantly changes throughout the play. The contrast is most pronounced from the beginning of the play to its conclusion, switching from
being calm and peaceful to acts of uncontrolled venomous rage. Othello's motivation in the play appears to be his love and concern for his wife
Desdemona, which ironically, ends up being his downfall in the end. In the beginning of the play Othello exhibits behaviors leading one to believe that
he...show more content...
The duke then sent Othello and some of his men to command a military patrol in Cyprus. Othello takes Desdemona with him and in Cyprus he
continued to be polite, respectful, and charming, saying things like, "It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me" (II.i.83). He
says this to Desdemona reassuring his love and care for her.
By the middle of the play Othello's mood and demeanor seem to shift from being peaceful and patient to very anxious, paranoid, and gullible. For
example when Othello is talking to Iago and Iago suggests that maybe his wife is not being faithful to him, it becomes Othello's obsession to get down
to the bottom of it and catch her. "I have been talking with your suitor here, a man that languishes in your displeasure / Who is't you mean / Why, your
lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord" (III.iii.41–43). In this dialog between Othello and Iago, with just two sentences Iago causes Othello to lose trust in
his wife and believe she is being unfaithful to him which grows stronger and stronger each scene of the play. Because Iago is extremely cunning and
manipulative, he is able to control almost anyone he chooses and he is in control of Othello's emotions because he knows the things Othello fears.
Iago is pretending to be Othello's friend but secretively is going behind his back and bringing him down. Iago convinces Othello that Cassio is having
an affair with Desdemona. "I humbly do beseech

Othello: Themes Essay
Othello: Themes
How many themes course through the Shakespearean tragedy Othello? Let us in this essay analyze the variety and depth of the themes in this play.
Lily B. Campbell in Shakespeare's Tragic Heroes indicates that hate is the theme on which this play opens:
It is then on a theme of hate that the play opens. It is a hate of inveterate anger. It is a hate that is bound up with envy.Othello has preferred to be his
lieutenant a military theorist, one Michael Cassio, over the experienced soldier Iago, to whom has fallen instead the post of "his Moorship's ancient".
Roderigo questions Iago:
Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.
And the reply is a torrent of proof of the...show more content...
Helen Gardner in "Othello: A Tragedy of Beauty and Fortune" sees this play as a study in sexual jealousy:
Othello is not a study in pride, egoism, or self–deception: its subject is sexual jealousy, loss of faith in a form which involves the whole personality at
the profound point where body meets spirit. The solution which Othello cannot accept is Iago's: 'Put up with it.' This is as impossible as that Hamlet
should, like Claudius, behave as if the past were done with and only the present mattered. . . . (144)
Of course, jealousy of a different type also torments the antagonist, the ancient, to the point that he ruins those around him and himself. Francis
Ferguson in "Two Worldviews Echo Each Other" describes how there is no cure for the jealous passion that rules Iago's life:
On the contrary, in the "world" of his philosophy and his imagination, where his spirit lives, there is no cure for passion. He is, behind his mask, as
restless as a cage of those cruel and lustful monkeys that he mentions so often. It has been pointed out that he has no intelligible plan for destroying
Othello, and he never asks himself what good it will do him to ruin so many people. It is enough for him that he "hates" the Moor. . . .(133)

Act 1 Scene 1 opens with an expression of jealousy and hatred: Roderigo is upbraiding Iago because of the elopement of the object of his affections
–Desdemona –– with the Moor: "Thou told'st me thou didst hold him

Othello : An Argumentative Essay
Othello: An Argumentative Essay
Inside each of us, there is a seed of good and evil since it is a constant struggle for us to determine as to which one will win, so that is why one cannot
exist without the other. However, there are some whose emotions are unbalanced, which causes them to near towards one side more than the other one
ВВ and many times the side a lot of people prefer to lean on is evil. Shakespeare's play O thello is set in 16thВcentury Venice and Cyprus.Othello, a
noble black general from the Venetian army has secretly married Desdemona, daughter of Venice senator Brabantio. Othello chooses inexperienced
Cassio to be his lieutenant, while he decides to give the ensign position to Iago, a malicious but very experienced man who, with his stealth and
knavery, will ultimately ruin almost everyone's life since for a long time, he was desiring the position of lieutenant just like Cassio. At the end of
the play, Othello, Desdemona, Iago's wife Emilia, and his sidekick Roderigo die due to his revenge against Cassio, for obtaining the position he
wanted and Othello, for being the man who he hates the most. The play ends with Iago being told that he will be punished and tortured for his
actions. However, despite the fact that Iago is punished at the end of the play for doing all of the malicious things he did, he still manages to wear
down Othello's relationship with Desdemona, get Cassio demoted from his lieutenancy, and cause Othello to show his cowardness by

The Significance of Emilia in Othello Essay
The Significance and Dramatic Purposes of Emilia
In Shakespeare's "Othello", Emilia is considered one of the minor characters. She is the wife of Iago and the lady in waiting to Desdemona. Emilia
makes a crucial contribution to the play as a whole. She contributes to the characterization of a couple of key characters and adds to the dramatic
irony of the play. She plays an essential role in the escalation of the dramatic action. She also adds to some of the themes of the play. Emilia
contributes to the characterization of both Iago and Desdemona. Emilia enters the play in Act II, Scene i when she and the party arrive in Cyprus.
Iago speaks to her rudely and treats her disparagingly in front of the others; "Come on, come on! You are...show more content...
These two instances when Emilia calls out the evil doer (not realizing she is actually referring to her husband) also builds on the dramatic tension that
is ultimately released when Emilia tells the truth and exposes her husband in Act 5, scene ii. Emilia contributes greatly to the dramatic action of the
play. In the rising action she unwittingly gives her husband the very object that will seal Desdemona's fate. The handkerchief she hands to Iago
becomes the material evidence that convinces Othello of Desdemona's guilt. There are a couple of opportunities where Emilia is in a position to alter
the tragic outcome. In Act III, scene iv Desdemona asks Emilia if she know where she lost her handkerchief. Emilia states, " I know not, madam."
(III.iv.23). Again, later in the scene Emilia misses another opportunity to foil Iago's plan. Emilia sees how upset Othello gets about Desdemona not
being able to produce the handkerchief yet she does not come forth. Instead, she blames it on men and marriage; " Tis not a year or two shows us a
man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food..." (III.iv.103–104). She does not see the connection between the jealous husband and the
handkerchief. This dramatic device of having the character being naГЇve to information about which the audience is aware builds tension. The
audience knows of Iago's plan to use the handkerchief

Othello: Vulnerability Destroys Virtues Of A Great Leader
Thesis: Even though Othello considers to be vulnerable is a weakness, his temperance and prudence should never come in conflict with his leadership
principles because Iago despises Othello and manipulates him therefore, Othello becomes vulnerable resulting in his death.
1. Othello believes that being vulnerable is a sign of weakness.
A. Othello will not expunge himself from his race and ethnicity, for he knows glorifying his heritage is a vulnerability that could end his career as a
leader.
B. Othello knows that a schism among his ranks leads to distrust and a lack of loyalty among men, leaving him susceptible to defeat.
2. Iago despises Othello and manipulates him. A. Iago hates Othello for being passed over as his Lieutenant and holds a grievance against him. B. Iago
begins to build Othello's trust through manipulation by exploiting the relationship of Cassio and Desdemona.
3. Othello's lack of temperance and prudence compromises his leadership principles. A. His demeanor changes with every passing minute because he is
entrenched in a battle between truth and jealousy. B. He loves Desdemona but he is unwise.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at time of challenge and controversy." Martin
Luther King, Jr. In Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, Shakespeare

"The Relationship Between Love and Hate in Othello"
A.C. Bradley describes Othello as "by far the most romantic figure among Shakespeare's heroes"(Shakespearean Tragedy, 1). This is an unusual
description of a man who murders his own wife. However, Othello's feelings of hate for Desdemona started as an overwhelming love for her when their
relationship began. This transformation from love to hate also inflicted the characters Iago and Roderigo and like Othello their hatred resulted in the
murder of innocent people. Roderigo's love for Desdemona was transformed into hate towards any man that he thought was loved by her. Iago's love
for his job and his wife, Emilia changed into a destructive hatred of Cassio and Othello. As a result of...show more content...
Roderigo pays Iago for this false hope that he will be with Desdemona (1162). When he believes he is getting closer to being with her, however, Iago
tells him that it might not happen because Desdemona is in love with Cassio (1169–70). Roderigo is greatly angered by this and resolves to do what it
takes to stop Cassio from getting Desdemona even if it means taking his life. His attempt to kill Cassio, however, is unsuccessful, and instead he is the
one injured (1175). Roderigo is no longer consumed with thoughts of being with Desdemona. Instead he is consumed with feelings of hatred toward
those who might have her love and attention.
Othello had a deep love for Desdemona in the beginning of the play.
In Act II Scene I he tells her, "It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me. O my soul's joy!" and " If it were now to die,
В‘Twere now to be most happy" (Shakespeare 1168–69). Othello implies that his life was in chaos before he met Desdemona (1186). Othello,
however, is also very insecure of Desdemona's love for him (Mabillard 1). He doesn't understand why she would go against her father and her
society by marrying a man that is black (1). The only reason that he can come up with is that she married him for his courageous journeys (1). In Act
I scene iii he explains to the Duke, "She lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd" (Shakespeare 1157). In Act III scene ii he tries to put his doubts to rest

Race And Ethnicity In Shakespeare's Othello
Thesis: In Shakespeare's tragedy Othello, the title character is a 16th century Moorish general of the Venetian army who, because of the cultural and
historical background of the play's setting, the playwright, and the original intended audience, is portrayed as both well–respected for his military
prowess and disparaged for his race. Similarly, because of how mexicans progress to a very successful level in this country yet at the same time they
get discriminated by their background race and color. America's history of blacks and color people have been acted upon hate and unequal yet at the
same time America has been in need of these immigrants or mexicans because white Americans didn't want such poor and hard jobs. In today's
American society...show more content...
Well he is basically saying minorities that consist of immigrants are the ones responsible for all the crime and problems society is having due to safety.
IV. Americans and society have this stereotype of minorities taking the worst jobs and working hard for it and having to start in such a bad
environment in which makes them learn lessons and actually work for hard for what they want to have in life. The stereotype of criminals and rapist is
all towards minorities.
"It's not about you. Get out of my country."( Donald Trump kicks Jorge Ramos out of the conference )The president of theUnited States Donald trump
got very upset after Jorge Ramos went to his conference and asked him a very great question about immigration and Donald Trump came back with a
very rude and unprofessional answer toward the reporter Jorge Ramos and simply because he was hispanic or latino appearance thought in his mind he
might of been an immigrant because of his appearance

Oppression Of Women In Shakespeare's Othello
Shakespeare often incorporates social issues that occur during the time period into his play, Othello. In Shakespeare's play Othello, he challenges
the image of women in the during the play period as it relates to the oppression of women. In Othello, there are three female characters:
Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca, each of which played a major role in the plot. In this essay, I am going to discuss how Shakespeare uses this
imagery of women within the play to give clues to how society views and oppresses women within the play.He does this by attempting to rewrite
female subjectivity, touching on false accusations of adultery as a way women violate social laws, using love as a foundation for characters' actions,
and portraying women as submissive and as a possession. Shakespeare makes an effort to rewrite female subjectivity by attempting to reveal the
oppression of women in Othello. For example, in act four scene three lines 93–97 Emilia says "Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace yet
have we some revenge. Let husbands know their wives have sense like them: they see and smell and have their palates both for sweet and sour, as
husbands have". Emilia is complaining about how men treat the women and how she wants to be treated equally. This passage is indicating the
stereotype that women in the play cannot have a life that is private to the public. Meaning that, women could not do things privately or even
mysteriously, basically, women had to be open to the public. The words "yet have we some revenge", give off that point because they give clues to
express the harshness of how women were treated and want to get that respect the men have. Shakespeare touches on the idea that women who
commit acts of adultery and disobedience of men violate social laws in Othello. Shakespeare writes about the adultery and uses the law of chastity to
further show that women had to be slaves or obedient to men. For example, in act one scene three lines 390–391, Iago says 'it is thought abroad that
twixt my sheets he has done my office". Iago wrongfully accuses his wife of sleeping with Othello, which shows that women were often not trusted
and were deemed as outlaws in society, for just being women. In act two scene

Research Paper Outline For Othello
1. Thesis Statement: William Shakespeare's Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy and Othello is considered a tragic hero by the definition of
Aristotle's work in "Poetics". Othello's fatal flaw leads to his uncontrollable jealousy. His high–ranking position and stature in the royal family leaves
him feeling suspicious and betrayed and seeks the ultimate revenge.
2. Act I
A. Roderigo and Iago discuss who they are. (I, i, lines 35–45)
B. Othello wrestles with Brabantio (I, ii, lines 97–100)
C. Othello examines how his abilities will speak for themselves.
D. Every one considers Iago to be honest.
E. Othello reveals his dark side when he sticks Desdemona.
F. Brabantio's persistence on how Desdemona, was enticed by Othello versus Iago's
G....show more content...
Aristotle, the great fourth–century Greek philosopher labeled this tragedy as "an imitation of an action of high importance, complete and of some
amplitude: in language enhanced by distinct and varying beauties...by means of pity and fear effecting its purgation of these emotions" (qtd. in
Kennedy & Gioia 885). Aristotle was portraying the epic Shakespearean drama, Othello. Aristotle prescribed three main elements for a disastrous
theater recipe: First is a hamartia, or a tragic flaw in the main character that leads to the demise; second, catharsis or an emotional release of the
audience's sensations derived from the actors, so they seem to have felt they have learnt something about the play; and lastly, anagnorisis or the
character's astonishment of something that may have not before realized (Kennedy & Gioia 856–857). The protagonist in Shakespeare's Othello
satisfies all of Aristotle's necessities for a tragic hero, as Othello is the character of magnificent status, which falls from that status of power to one of
shame because of his hamartia. Furthermore the plot of Othello contains an influential katharsis through its peak and deduction, and an anagnorisis
when Othello comprehends that Desdemona and Iago are not who they appear to

Human Condition In Shakespeare's Othello
Analyse how a key relationship was used to comment on the human condition in the written text(s).
Shakespeare's play 'Othello', set in early Venice, focuses on the key relationship between titular character Othello and his wife Desdemona, to comment
on the human condition through the text. The relationship between the married couple allows us to understand Shakespeare's commentary on human
nature, particularly how humans are inherently selfish, prone to falling victim to jealousy, and are made both stronger and weaker by their emotions.
The relationship between Desdemona and Othello in the play 'Othello' is used to express and observe the way that humans are selfish by nature.
Although both Desdemona and Othello do sincerely love each other, both of them find great personal gain in their marriage, which clearly contributes
to their feelings for one another. Othello, who is a black leader in an overwhelmingly white, Christian society, has come from a troubled and
difficult background, being "sold to slavery" and working in the military all his life. In finding a good Christian wife in Desdemona, he finds
someone to always support him in hard times, as evidenced in his summary of their romance, "she loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved
her that she did pity them". This quote suggests that their love is more self–serving than he lets on; Desdemona loves Othello for the adventures he has
been on and the stories he tells, and Othello loves Desdemona because she listens and devotes herself to what he has to say. When Desdemona gets
a chance to explain their relationship herself, she is particularly proud of the fact that she "did love the Moor to live with him; my downright
violence and storms of fortunes may trumpet to the world". We note that she mentions her 'violence', the way she deliberately disobeyed her father
and fled his company to secretly marry a man who is not one of her father's approved suitors. This furthers the idea that Desdemona seems to be in
love with Othello because of the adventures he has been on, and the excitement and liberty of her being with such a man; she is seeking her own
freedom in a misogynistic society by defying her father to marry Othello. Their relationship is

The Theme Of Honesty In Othello
Honesty is a concept that is constantly used in The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice, although used for the wrong people. The theme of
appearance vs. reality in this certain play is easily confused due to the deception of honesty, frequently because of Iago. The notions of loyalty
/dishonesty as well as love/lust, rich/poor, and witty/dumb are also used as a dramatic irony to help the drama progress. The characters in the play
used cunning tactics to achieve their ultimate goal, whether it was to win the woman they love or trying to bring down a powerful man. Honesty is a
term used very loosely due to the fact that no one knew what was actually happening behind the scenes. According to the play,Othello was a Venetian
general...show more content...
Although the word honesty is used decietfully in this play, it also helped make the play more interesting. Without distrust and deception, there would
be no point in this story and everyone would be happy. Moreover, honesty has various different meanings in this play. The meaning of honesty vary's
from someone being faithful to questioning if someone is actually being loyal. For example, on Act 3, scene 3, Othello states, "By the world, I think
my wife be honest and think she is not." In clearer words, Othello thinks that Desdemona is being unfaithful when in reality she's always been innocent
beause Iago planted seeds of doubt in his mind. Another example is on Act 2, scene 1 where Iago mumbles, ".. But I'll set down the pegs that make
this music, As honest as I am.." In other words, Iago is looking at the irony of the situation because he knows he's disloyal to Othello, but he's the
most trustworthy guy in Othello's mind. All of the situations in this play contribute to the progression in it so conflict is essential to make it to the
epilogue. Honesty's misuse and contrasting meanings create a conflict that brings tragedy to all characters, which is the basis of Shakespeare's
creative writing. Honesty isn't the only deceptive word used in this drama. Many other words are used deceptively that affect the play, such as good.
the word 'good' is used to describe Iago most of the time. Once more, it's being used for the wrong person because he's anything but

Essay The Importance of Race in Othello
Throughout time, writing has evolved such that gender, race and creed have taken on a more pivotal role in fiction. Some people argue that race in
William Shakespeare's tragedy, "Othello," is hardly an issue. However, to many people, race is everything in "Othello. The challenges that Othello,
the lead character, faces are directly attributed to his "Moor" complexion and if he were of a different nationality, the outcome of his situation would
have been drastically different. These claims are supported by the articles of "Othello's Alienation" by Edward Berry and "Race Mattered: Othello in
Late Eighteenth–Century England" by Virginia Mason Vaughan that argue that race is a major element in "Othello."
Within the first scene of "Othello,"...show more content...
For this reason, he, without question, believes Iago.
When Iago makes a point of including Othello's race in a conversation with a confidant, it proves that he feels that Othello's race is the reason for
his actions. There is an obvious abhorrence for Othello based upon his race. Later in the play, Iago goes on to say "If she had been blessed, she
would never have loved the Moor" (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum "WRAC" ). This statement shows that Iago is jealous of Othello
because he won the love of Desdemona and is cause for insecurities on his part. Iago must now question his marriage and whether or not Othello is
cause for infidelity. These insecurities act as extra motivation for Iago's actions.
Aside from Iago, his wife Emilia, also shares in his racist outbursts. Berry clarifies that when Othello tells Emilia that he has killed Desdemona and
Emilia calls him "[a] blacker devil. " (Berry 321) she shows that she has always thought him "a black devil" (Berry 322). Her racist tendencies are
exemplified in this statement and ascertain that she has always harbored bad sentiments toward Othello regarding his race. Even when Emilia finds
that her husband, Iago, is mostly responsible for the crimes that had occurred, she still feels hatred towards Othello for no reason other than his skin
color.
This fact once again brings on the question of whether or not Othello would have faced the same travesties if he were white. If he were

Essay on Betrayal between Othello and Desdemonda
In the play, The Tragedy of Othello, judging from the relationship between Desdemona and Othello, seems to say that marriage based on an innocent
romantic love is bound to fail. There is a common thread of betrayal and deceit among many characters. Othello and Desdemona being the most vividly
portrayed. The two appear to love one another romantically at first, but it soon after transforms into a secular love. This comes to pass because there is
no foundation for a relationship. There is no trust, no communication, and no understanding. Othello has spent most of his life in battle, which makes
him good at some things. Othello says "Rude am I in my speech,/ and little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace,/ for...show more content...
Iago seems sincere enough, and he makes a concerted effort to ensure that he remains aces in everyone's book. So when Iago begins to plant the
seeds of doubt into Othello's mind, Othello has no cause to doubt him. Desdemona is his wife, the woman that he loves with all his heart. Yet, see
how quickly he is dissuaded, and how he disparages her. "Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damn'd tonight, for she shall not live. No, me heart is
turn'd to stone, I strike it, and it hurts my hand?I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!" (1167). But Othello never thinks to disbelieve Iago. He
believes Iago to be an honest man, wise and simply trying to help. So he doesn't stop to think that maybe he should talk this over with his wife before
he launches himself into a state of panic. Othello is not hurt because of a failing love, but because of how it makes him look and hurts his pride. This
is when things get ugly. Othello puts more trust in Iago than in his own wife. This is due, in part, to Iago's manipulative skills, but mostly to Othello's
lack of communication skills, especially with his wife. But Desdemona does not do anything to mediate the situation and lets the condition escalate,
and her self–blaming attitude only perpetuates Othello's misgiven notion that she has been falsely accused . After Othello strikes her in front of the
whole dinner party, and orders her around like a peasant,

What Is The Theme Of Honour In Othello
Discussing Shakespeare has always been an inspiring issue. But dealing with the issue of honour in his works is even a more challenging matter. The
aim of this thesis is to prove that honour has been treated in Shakespeare tragedies as a key point which leads into his tragedies. Even though it is dealt
with it under dissimilar names, the consequences are the same. In three of his tragedies Hamlet, Othello and Romeo and Juliet honour is displayed as a
main theme and at the same time as a driving force, usually for the worse. Honour has been analysed as the same problem but with different features.
All the main characters of these tragedises kill in the name of honour. nonetheless Hamlet kills to avenge his father`s death, Othello kills to purify
...show more content...
In this thesis, there will be dealt with honour in three of Shakespeare's tragedies: Hamlet, Othello and Romeo and Juliet. The aim of this thesis is to
deal with honour not as a positive contributor but as a destructive element. Because in the three tragedies we will analyse honour has been the triger
towards vengeance. In the writing of this thesis consulting many Shakespearean scholars has been necessary and vital. One of the main ones is
Harold Bloom. Bloom has a deep appreciation for Shakespeare (Bloom 1994, pp. 2–3) and considers him to be the supreme center of the Western
Canon. (Bloom 1994, pp. 24–5). He has written numeral works regarding different aspects of Shakespeare as a playwright. In 1998 Bloom conducted
a survey named "Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human." In this survey Bloom provides a detailed analysis of each of Shakespeare's 38 plays,
"twenty–four of which are masterpieces." (Bloom, 1998). Since it is written as a companion to the general reader and theatergoer, Bloom states that
bardolatry "ought to be even more a secular religion than it already is. (Bloom,

Essay Morality and Immorality in Othello
Morality and Immorality in Othello
William Shakespeare's tragic drama Othello presents to the audience a picture of many different shades of morality and immorality. It is the purpose of
this essay to elaborate in detail on this thesis.
Roderigo's opening lines to Iago in Act 1 Scene 1 take us to the very root of the problem:
Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. (1.1)
In other words, the wealthy playboy has been paying off the ancient for the soldier's intercession with Desdemona on behalf of Roderigo. This payoff
has been in progress before the play begins, and it continues...show more content...
Later, Desdemona suspects that his influence is the reason why Cassio is awarded the governorship of Cyprus and Othello is recalled home. Even in the
first two scenes it is apparent that Iago's lust for money has set in motion a series of events that are snowballing into something more and more tragic.
Alongside this chain of events triggered by the avarice of Iago is another chain of events springing from innocence and morality. They center around
the characters of Desdemona and Othello: She leaves her selfish father to share her love with the ideal man. He calmly rebuts the accusations,
some prejudicial in nature, against his conduct toward Desdemona. She defends the Moor's moral integrity and her own in front of the council; he
does likewise. She unselfishly agrees to live with another family while her husband is busied in the war with the Turks; he concurs in this
sacrifice. While waiting with Emilia and Iago at Cyprus, she heroically calls the ancient a "slanderer" and comes to the aid of his wife, who has
been repeatedly downtrodden and hit upon by Iago. When the general's ship arrives safely into the Cyprus port, he immediately greets his wife
before anyone else, "O my fair warrior!" and "O my soul's joy!" When Governor Montano asks Cassio if the Moor is wived he responds with: "Most
fortunately: he hath achieved a maid

Themes in Othello Essays
Themes in Shakespeare's Othello
Throughout Shakespeare's play, Othello, there are many themes interwoven to describe the author's perspective of the true nature of a man's soul.
Three themes critical to the play are doubt versus trust, monstrous imagery and the fallible love of man.
One central theme of the play is the major contrast of doubt versus trust. For whatever reason, Othello's trust of Desdemona is too weak to resist Iago's
accusations. As happens in many of Shakespeare's works, miscommunication and mistrust lead to "prepost'rous conclusions" (1. 3. 323).
Othello's heart tells him that Desdemona loves him; however the critical Iago can dismantle Othello's trust in his wife by planting seeds doubt through
what appears to...show more content...
3. 241). Othello fails to see that honor cannot be subject to empirical proof.
Shakespeare's exploration of the concept of jealousy leads to the theme of the human mind's predisposition to favor the "monstrous." Monsters of the
human psyche are self–generating, even without the prodding of an evil manipulator such as Iago. He feeds this compulsion by encouraging
Othello to "behold," in his mind's eye, his wife being "topped" by Cassio (3. 3. 412). When jealousy is labeled as a monster in the play, it is used to
suggest how one can be overtaken by a passion. Iago defines jealousy as "the green–eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on" (3. 3.
179–80), a foul parasite that torments its host. When Emilia explains jealousy to be a "monster begot upon itself, born on itself" (3. 4. 157), she
underscores its self–generating nature. "Jealous souls" do not need real events to fuel their suspicions because, Emilia explains, they are "not ever
jealous for the cause" (3. 4. 154–55).
When Cassio is demoted for drunkenness, he laments that humans "transform ourselves into beasts" through alcohol that also provides "joy, pleasance,
revel" (2. 3. 257–58). And for Othello, consuming jealousy transforms him into a violent predator that performs the "monstrous act," as Montano
describes it, of murdering Desdemona (5. 2. 197). Iago serves as a catalyst to carry out this monstrous

Power in Othello- Character Analysis Essays
Power in Othello:
Othello:
Othello, the principle character, at the beginning seems to have power– whether it is physical, psychological, political or military. He is portrayed to
the audience as a symbol of power and strength. As an experienced soldier, a General to be precise, Othello has had little experience with women.
Even though he is a high ranking military official, he is less respected because of his dark skin and being a foreigner. His stature and tone of voice,
along with his self–confidence and belief, lead the audience to think of Othello as the main representation of power in the play. However, further into
the play, Othello's power seems to diminish, revealing his insecurity and susceptibility. He is very naive and...show more content...
Iago is the antagonist of the play, and one of the most evil Shakespearean villains. Iago is extremely clever in the way he uses unsuspecting power–
especially psychological power. He gets into people's heads in many dishonest ways– by spreading false rumours, telling lies and psychologically
tricking people and secretly controlling certain situations. His power to manipulate is a key point in the play, as it results in major consequences and
the deaths of some main characters. Iago's schemes are multi–levelled– he conspires with roderigo, and makes him believe that Desdemona will take
him back. On another level, he leads Othello to believe his wife is having an affair with Cassio. He uses his wife Emilia (unknown to her), to bring
back the handkerchief he uses to deceive Othello. Iago is an extremely resourceful and talented man, but he uses these resources and talents in
detrimental ways. Iago is constantly referred to by numerous characters as 'honest'. He himself also refers to honesty. Numerous characters believe that
they know and trust Iago and that he would not lie, nor deceive them. Iago's soliloquies also provide invaluable insight into his wicked mind and evil
schemes and plans.
Emilia:
Emilia is the wife of Iago and Desdemona's maidservant. Emilia, much like Desdemona, does not have much power but once again her presence has
an effect. Her role in the play, apart from being Desdemona's maid, is to fetch

othello Essay
jealousy
In the play Othello, jealousy is shown to be very evident through the actions of the characters. Jealousy is an emotion that everyone shares, and it is
ultimately responsible for the tragic ending of the play. Everyone feels jealous at certain times of their lives, and this feeling can cause people to do
irrational things. This human emotion also shows people to be weak in the sense that they are never happy with what they have. Shakespeare shows
through Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and Brabantio that jealousy is the most corrupt and destructive emotion.
Othello is horribly jealous of what he thinks is going on between his wife and Cassio. This poisonous feeling turns Othello into a mad man and he
strikes his wife. Jealousy causes...show more content...
Othello has many qualities that fit the category of a tragic hero. He falls from prosperity to suffering, but not necessarily in a material sense. His fall is
from happiness, contentment, and love to unhappiness, accusations, and distrust.
. He is admired by everyone in the play, even Iago comments on what a good man Othello is. Secondly, a tragic hero can not be perfect. He or she
must have a flaw of some kind. In Othello's case it is that he allows his emotions to take over. Manipulated by Iago's lies, Othello is forced to confront
emotions he obviously can not handle. His wisdom and patience are replaced by anger and hate. The power of these destructive emotions ultimately
lead to Desdemona's death and Othello's suicide
Without a doubt, Shakespeare's play Othello is a tragedy. The main character, Othello, is a typical Shakespearean tragic hero. Othello is good man
who is deeply in love with his wife. He has one flaw, jealousy, which gets the best of him, and triggers the downfall of his wonderful life.
Othello was living a successful life, but he had one flaw: jealousy. As a result of his jealousy, his life begins to get chaotic because he no longer
trusts his wife. Slowly Othello's sanity and status become questioned, and he is no longer seen as important. The last straw is drawn, and Othello
murders his beautiful wife only to find out that she did not deserve to die. Othello was a good man, but he was a tragic hero because of his flaw that

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