Othello Character Analysis

Othello Character Analysis
In Othello by William Shakespeare, the villainous Iago devises a plot with the hopes that Othello and his wife, Desdemona, will be separated so that he
can take Othello's position as head of the Venetian Military. Iago's scheme consists of him convincing Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him with
his lieutenant, Cassio. Iago has told no one else about his ploy so while everyone else's actions remain true, he manipulates their every move for his
benefit. While their actions may not lead to results that they expected, exploring the reasoning behind everyone's actions, can give insight to their
values since the actions were based on what they believed was the best thing to do. To the characters of Othello, honor is more important than...show
more content...
In her final moments, Desdemona chooses not to blame Othello for her death because she saw that the honor of their love was more important than
honesty. After Othello was convinced that Desdemona was cheating on him, Othello had started to show his disappointment with her. He had even
gone as far as hitting her (4.1 134). Despite this, Desdemona continued to stay true to Othello. Othello, though, decides to kill her. Desdemona senses
a change in Othello and she has a feeling that she will die soon due to the hands of Othello. This does not stop her, though, from continuing to care for
Othello. Even when Desdemona was found after Othello strangles her, she still believed that her death was not the fault of Othello. Emilia comes into
the couple's bedroom after Othello smothers Desdemona, but hears Desdemona cry out. Seeing her dying, Emilia asks who would do this. Desdemona
replies that it was her fault: "Nobody – I myself. Farewell / Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell!" (5. 2. 125–126). Not only does she try to
protect Othello's reputation by blaming herself, Desdemona tells Emilia to remind Othello about her showing that she stills respects Othello. By trying
to hide the fact that Othello had murdered her, Desdemona has chosen to put the honor of their love above honesty.
For his own benefit, Iago chooses to frame Desdemona and Cassio. In this case, he has chosen his honor over the honesty of Othello's
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

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 Character Analysis Essay
Hugo Baptiste
English Comp 102
Professor Berry
12/12/2017
A Character Analysis of Othello in William Shakespeare's "Othello"
The main character, Othello, in the Shakespearean play Othello, is a man of many strengths, but also a man of great weakness. The play is center
around Othello's downfall despite Shakespeare presenting him as a distinguished and respected soldier. He is also depicted as courageous and loving
to his wife Desdemona. However, Othello starts to show his insecurities and weaknesses during the play. Indeed, Othello becomes a belligerent,
aberrant and jealous husband who brutally strangles his wife. The cause of such a disaster is one of his lieutenants, Iago, a precarious and jealous soldier.
This piece is a tragedy that...show more content...
Othello's race is brought to the forefront by an angry father's distain. Even as General, his ship arrives last to Cyprus, the audience may take this as a
symbol of Othello belonging to a lower class. The more jabs that are made towards Othello, the more uncomfortable, nervous and stressed he becomes.
When Iago arrives to supposedly help, Othello starts to believe everything Iago says, including the lie that Desdemona is cheating on him.
Desdemona is innocent with Cassio, but Othello is convinced by Iago that she is cheating. To paraphrase Hacht, there is a huge passion between
Desdemona and Othello, but the insecurities that Othello shows drives him to madness. When Othello loses control, he begins to speak in prose
which displays a break in his outward facade. "It's possible? Confess! Handkerchief! O devil!" (Shakespeare 1, 2, 47). Indeed, he feels dishonored by
Desdemona and because of this dishonor, Othello makes an enormous decision after he killed Desdemona:
Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well,
Of one not easily jealous but, being wrought,
Perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand,
Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away
Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes,
Albeit unused to the melting mood,
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
Their medicinable gum. Set you down this,

And say besides that in Aleppo once,
Where a malignant and a

Othello as a Tragic Hero Essay
Othello is a tragic hero because of his greatnesses and his weaknesses. He is a noble man who possesses all the qualities of a military leader, which
he is. He has control over himself and shows courage as well as dignity. Just as Othello is a virtuous man there are some flaws within him, these flaws
complete him ff as a tragic hero. Othello is often blinded by trust and can not see a person for who they really are. He trusts the people around him
even when they mean to afflict harm upon him. Through this, it can be seen why Othello is one of the most tragic hero out of all the characters from
Shakespeare's many plays.
To begin with, Othello is a graceful man with a valiant personality which draws people near. Although he is known...show more content...
Even in the toughest of times, he keeps his anger under control. "I will a round unvarnished tale deliver of my whole course of love – what drugs,
what charms, what conjuration, and what mighty magic (for such proceeding and charged withal) I won his daughter" (Act 1, scene 3, 90–94)
As an example. this shows how Othello deals with style and grace under fire, when accused of witchcraft by marrying Desdemona. Othello neither yells
nor screams, but explains in a way that captivates his audience and enhances the emotions in the play.
Aside from the greatnesses there also are some flaws. With Othello being a military leader for most of his life, trusting another military friend would
be common and therefore Othello had no reason to not trust iago. So it can be said that Othello has tragic weaknesses, one being too trustworthy.
Many times Othello does not see the evil acts of iago. He is used to dealing with military people on the battlefield, where you put your life in the hands
of others. In this situation trust is very important. Othello says that iago is a man of honor and trust and therefore has no reason to doubt his honesty.
Likewise another weakness of Othello's would be that he is a man who gets confused easily and cannot judge right from wrong. This can be seen when

Character Analysis of Othello Essay
Character Analysis of Othello
"Othello" is a tragedy and Othello is a tragic hero. Othello is a general in the service of Venice. He is good, courageous, brave and trustworthy.
However he has some weaknesses such as insecurity; he is too open, naГЇve, and gullible, Iago plays on his weaknesses which brings about his
downfall and he kills himself. This causes the suffering of innocent people like Desdemona, Emilia, Cassio and Roderigo. The audience also feel pity for
Othello and this creates a sense of wastage at the end. Iago's main aim is to bring about Othello's downfall. He has many reasons for this, such as his
anger as Othello rejected him for the post of lieutenant and he hates the fact...show more content...
Roderigo says to Iago "What a full fortune does the thick lips owe". Shakespeare wanted the audience to mainly focus on the racist comments
made about Othello by other characters. Brabantio also accuses Othello of using black magic to steal his daughter. Iago refers to Othello as "an
old black ram is tupping your white ewe". Iago also says to Brabantio that "you are one of those that will not serve god if the devil bid you" and he
also says "the moor is now making the beast with two backs". This proves that Iago's hatred of Othello is motivated by racism. In the 17th century the
audience would sympathise with Brabantio and not for Othello because Othello is an outsider. Shakespeare intends to shock the audience with the
language Iago uses. Therefore Shakespeare encourages the audience to criticise and dislike Iago and so sympathise for Othello. Shakespeare wants to
change as well as challenge Society's view on race.
When Othello first appears on the scene, he appears as a character disliked by others. He secretly married Desdemona and is criticised by others
before he appears on the scene. As the play moves on, the audience are shaken in seeing his good qualities. He is good, calm and when Iago tells him
that Roderigo has been spreading foul reports about him he says "Let him do his

The Character of Othello Essay
The Character of Othello
Shakespeare's Othello is not simply a play which embodies the conflict between insider and outsider. The paradigm of otherness presented in this play
is more complicated than the conclusion, "Othello is different; therefore, he is bad." Othello's character is to be revered. He is a champion among
warriors; an advisor among councilmen; a Moor among Venetians. Yes, Othello is a Moor, but within the initialconfiguration of the play, this fact is
almost irrelevant. His difference is not constructed as "otherness." Othello, by his nature, is not an "otherized" character. Besides being the
dark–skinned Moor, Othello varies in no real way from the other characters in the play. Further, Othello and Iago can...show more content...
In Shakespeare's tragedy of Othello, we see Othello move through a character progression as he becomes consumed with Iago's connivings and
fabrications. He is introduced as a tragic hero whose stories of hardships endeared him not only to his new bride but his new father–in–law as well.
Even Brabantio who throws many slanderous insinuations of Othello's use of witchcraft and drugs to seduce Desdemona into his "cunning hell,"
(1.3.102) was once charmed and by this simple man who bows to his reputation in the face of a character challenge. "Her father loved me; oft invited
me . . ./Still questioned me the story of my life/From year to year, the battle, sieges, fortune/That I have passed." (I.iii.127–30)
The affliction of Othello's character is furthered by Iago's emphasis upon Othello's simplicity and honesty which is sharply contrasted with Iago's
skillfully–crafted towers of lies and bejeweled misrepresentations. Othello may be a simple man with rude speech and strong arms, but he has been
engaged in redeemable pursuits for Venice for the past seven years. Despite the rumblings of animalism and witchcraft that may be connected to his
black skin, these are no more than rumors and hearsay. Those in power, like the Duke of Venice, know and attest to Othello's true nature, as he
comments, "If virtue no delighted beauty lack,/Your son–in–law is far more fair than black." (I.iii.284). Othello's character is spotless although his skin
is not. Even

Othello is one of Shakespeare's classics, this play has many oddities and puzzles. It roots into love, deception and jealousy. Also it clearly questions the
debate of; can different cultures inter–wind without colliding? in addition, Othello has vivid racism, sexism, manipulation and savagery within
civilisation. This play is set in Venice, Italy but due to circumstances all of the characters move to Cyprus.
Othello is written between 1601–1604, the level of intensity and drama obviously indicated that he devoted a lot of time and effort into this play. The
likely hood of him writing Othello in London is very high. He moved to London in 1587 and quickly got recognised by the higher society of London.
People whose only form of...show more content...
Later he accepted the fact that she was married to Othello. Rodrigo is another main character, very naive; he is madly in love with Desdemona
and will not rest until she is married to him and not Othello. Iago a conniving, villainous character who manipulates not just Rodrigo, but also
Othello and his own wife Amelia. Cassio is Othello's lieutenant, the position that was promised to Iago. This is Iago's apparent motive to cause all
the chaos and drama, including ruining Othello and Desdemona's marriage. He does this buy finding the handkerchief that Othello gives
Desdemona early on in there relationship as a token of love. Iago begs his wife to steal the handkerchief chief and frame Cassio; by doing this he is
also keeping the promise to Rodrigo and seems very 'honest' by doing what he had promised earlier in the play. Othello falls for the organized act and
tries to kill Desdemona by muffling her. Soon after he realises she didn't commit adultery on him and commits suicide.
The man character, Othello is often referred to a 'moor his black complexion. The definition of a moor is generally a North–African of Muslim faith.
The Venetian, and European people feared what they do not know; this is common within humanity. Connotations of 'black' are generally bad such as:
dark, evil, mysterious. This is what European's connected with black people, barbaric and suspicious.

Othello Character Analysis Essay
Othello is exemplified and referred to as an exceptional character that falls as the result of a tragic flaw. Othello; a black moor downfalls from a
highly respected general to a jealous man who murders his own wife and himself. Othello is portrayed as a man that shows greatness; as a general
from Venice who received high respect from his townspeople. However,Othello suffers from a moral dilemma, "jealousy." Therefore he becomes
convinced by a once trusted, scheming friend;Iago, that his wife, Desdemona, is unfaithful to him with his lieutenant, Cassio. In Othello mind he
believes Desdemona should no longer live due to the thoughts that have been made up in his head regarding her unfaithfulness. In the end, Othello
deals with love lost in...show more content...
As the play progresses, and Iago ruins the mind of Othello more and more effectively, Othello becomes increasingly gullible. His emotion causes him
to lash out and become weak in every way possible. Another flaw was trusting the wrong person, Iago, and having distrusted his wife because he was
likely to base his trust on male friendship. He distrusted Cassio, at Iago's advice, because the claim against Cassio was one he understood.
In Act IV Scene I, Othello falls into a trance after being a victim again to another one of Iago's cruel lies. The Depiction of the imaginary affair
between Desdemona and Cassio, "she must die, else she'll betray more men..." (Act V Scene II). Othello believes Desdemona should no longer live due
to the thoughts that have been made up in his head regarding her unfaithfulness. Due to Othello's jealousy, Desdemona suffers deeply. After killing
Desdemona, Othello begins to suffer with incredible guilt.
The handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received from Othello; in return she constantly kept it as a symbol of Othello's love. Iago influences the
handkerchief to have Othello comes to see it as a symbol of Desdemona herself. Othello learns about the handkerchief, and his guilt worsens. He asks
for the truth regarding the handkerchief: "...How came you, Cassio, by that handkerchief/That was

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

Examples Of Archetype In Othello
What is a tragic hero and why is Othello considered one? The tragic hero archetype is used in many different pieces of writing and with every
character comes a different way of using it. While adding to the tone of the story it also adds to the characters overall personality from the reader's
perspective. In Shakespeare's Othello he uses this in his main character. This slowly comes together throughout the play and is presented with many
examples. There are examples of Othello's high status, tragic flaws, and his inevitable downfall. Having high status and being respected really helps
the idea of a tragic hero. Othello is a man of high rank in Venice. He is the general of the Venetian army and a well respected man by the towns noble
men. People...show more content...
An outburst that othello has in a crowd of his peers causes people to start to question their noble leader. Unfortunately, this got the ball rolling for
Othello's inevitable downfall. As Othello came to his breaking point, desdemona foreshadows her own death and he lets jealousy take over. When
Othello can't dismiss his suspicions of his wife being unfaithful any longer he starts to lose his morality . After confronting Desdemona of her
"crimes" he decides to carry out his overall plan to end his trues loves life. When he realizes the grave mistake he had made by taking an honest
Desdemona's life he can no longer live with himself. Othello decides the only way to right his wrong is to take his own life. Altho a tragic ending it
may be, Othello couldn't stand being a such a fool to have believed such lies about his one and only love. Human emotions have a lot of power over
how we react to situations in life, the trick is learning how to not let them take over. A tragic hero is a hero nonetheless, but it all comes down to how
they hold themselves together in the face of

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

Essay about Othello
People are not always the way you see them to be. Within the play Othello by William Shakespeare, a character named Iago displays a very good
example of this. Iago who is Othello's ensign is considerate to people although at the same time manipulates their minds into thinking different things
other than what had really occurred. Therefore, the victims of Iago's mischievous acts had been lured in to gullibility at every corner.
In Act I, Iago had used his 'magic' on Roderigo who was very upset upon the fact that Othello and Desdemona were still able to be as one, since he
was very much in desire for her. Iago had told him not to worry and that Desdemona will soon desire him. Roderigo had then believed him. He...show
more content...
Iago had shown great dishonesty and evilness to his own leader.
Iago had already caused so much devious acts that he took this to another level. He had taken something that symbolized the love and compassion
Othello had for Desdemona which a handkerchief. Iago had told Othello that Cassio and Desdemona have something going on after Iago had
supposedly over heard what Cassio was saying in his sleep. Othello eventually becomes furious at both of them, most especially his wife because he is
led to believe their marriage was false. Iago's plan worked and it yet close to his goal. He again persuades Othello in killing Cassio so he will win her
back. Othello still relies on Iago's influence thinking that all his decisions are proper things to do.
As of act V, at the end Iago's own wife is the one to figure out what his whole plot is and tells Othello what he had done and this was one thing that
Iago had not been able to use his skills in manipulating him. Othello stabs Iago who was the villain of this play the whole time.
This play displayed the power that one person may have in order to get what they want. It also showed how much the characters had bought into
Iago's thoughts and influence to cause even more damage between everyone. His power is led to believe that anyone could be gullible no matter what
position you are whether it be in rank or how smart you may

The Character of Othello Essay
The Character of Othello
As the play progresses, Othello's character goes through many changes which happen as a result of him falling victim to Iago's evil schemes. At first
he is introduced as an army general who is respected for what he does but still discriminated against for being black.
Othello is a victim to racism throughout the play. He is often referred to as "the Moor" even by his beloved Desdemona and is also called by more
offensive terms. Iago uses animal imagery in referring to Othello as an "old black ram". The use of animal imagery degrades Othello and use of the
word "black" implies that black people were thought to be as low as animals. Emilia also calls Othello "the...show more content...
He decides to put doubt in Othello's mind with regards to Desdemona and "undo her credit with the Moor". He tells Othello to "beware of jealousy" and
"the green eyed monster" and echoes Brabantio's words of Desdemona having "deceived her father" and in order to make sure his 'poison' has sunk
in he repeatedly says that he fears he has upset Othello's mood. "I see this hath a little dashed your spirits", "I 'faith, I fear it has" and "My lord I see
you're moved". In doing so Othello's character starts to change for the worse.
Moreover, Iago sins against Desdemona and Cassio by degrading them in Othello's eye and as he does so he hurts Othello. Iago says that in sleep
he heard Cassio say "Sweet Desdemona let us be wary, let us hide our love" and states that Cassio "laid his leg over his thigh and sighed, and kissed,
and then cried 'Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor'".
This causes Othello to be overrun with jealousy and anger and to no longer think clearly. He makes a savage threat against Desdemona saying he will
"tear her all to pieces" and he tells Iago to let him hear him say "that Cassio's not alive".
Othello is now under the complete influence of Iago and his emotions. His anger is overwhelming him and his feelings for Desdemona have almost
vanished as he plans to kill her, "let her rot and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live". Iago then

Examples Of Hubris In Othello
This audio extract from Act 1 Scene 3 characterizes Othello in many ways, but ultimately as the tragic hero of the play. This scene sets up the tragic
downfall of the protagonist and disrupts the chain of being by exposing Othello's fatal flaw, his hubris. Othello's speech and relationship with
Desdemona are two key ways that the audio explores his hubris.
Othello's elegant and self–absorbed speech reveals his hubris, thus disrupting the chain of being. Othello's frequent change in his tone of voice, during
his speech, shows his authority and confidence. We hear this in his sarcastic statement of "Rude am I in my speech..." This sarcasm contradicts
Othello's confidence in himself, heard in his changing tone, emphasizing the tragic hero's hubris. His elegance of speech is emphasized through
constant pauses which allow the internal audience to absorb and contemplate his words. The silence after he says "True, I have married her...",
emphasizes his statement and manipulates the internal audience to believe his words. The 'magic' in Othello's language puts him into a position of
power which diminishes the authority of the Duke, disrupting the chain of being....show more content...
The audio uses diegetic sounds and the romanticism Othello to express their genuine relationship. We hear a 'sigh' in the phrase "for my pains (ooh) a
world of sighs", making the audience feel sympathetic of Othello. Othello's hyperbolic language in this phrase reiterates his hubris. Othello's pride is
affirmed as he treats Desdemona as the greatest 'war trophy' that can be achieved. We hear this in the phrase "I won his daughter", where the word
"won" is accented and emphasized showing Othello's pride his achievement. The pride that Othello has of Desdemona will eventually result in his
jealousy later in the play, leading to the hero's tragic

Who Is Responsible For Othello's Downfall
When one watches a play, they are catching a glimpse into the characters lives. They are catching a narrow window of their existence. They do not
know where they came from, what kind of experiences they have had, or what may have influenced them over the course of their lives. The central
protagonist of Othello is none other than Othello himself, a man whose background ultimately shape and dictate his life during the play. Shakespeare
creates Othello's main objective to stay true to who he is; a person that we are meant to infer is filled with duty, honor, trust, respect, nobility, and the
desire to do the right thing. If any of these listed attributes are awry in his life, or at fault among the people he associates with, he is...show more
content...
"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them./ Good signor, you shall more command with years/ Than with your weapons." (I.ii.59–61).
Othello makes the decision not to fight outright by observing what is going on around him. First, the hour of this action is late at night, so chances
are something is amiss. Secondly, he recognizes these men as good people, what quarrel does he posses with them? His ability to formulate this quick
decision and take is a perfect example of the kind of person Othello is. It unfortunately will contribute to his downfall in the end of the tragedy.
Othello's first completed objective prior to the start of the play is selecting a new lieutenant. In the military, a lieutenant can better be known as the
second in command of a general (roughly). Othello, being the general, selects Cassio as his lieutenant. At this point, Iago discloses valuable
characteristics of Cassio, "One Michael Cassio, A Florentine–/.../That never set a squadron in the field,/ Nor the division of battle knows/More than a
spinster..." (I.i.20–4). Iago clearly indicates that his own rГ©sumГ© is far more fitting to that of a battlefield lieutenant, stating, "And I, of whom his
eyes had seen the proof/At Rhodes, At Cyprus, and on other grounds/ He in good time must his Lieutenant be,/ And I– god bless the mark!– his
Moorship's Ancient." (I.i.28–34). For the readers and spectators of Othello, the action of

Othello Character Essay
Shakespeare's Othello Character Discussion Katie Olszewski Othello is a playwright by William Shakespeare. In Othello, a black man named Othello
has married the daughter of a Venetian government official, Desdemona. After their marriage Othello is sent to Cyprus to battle the Turks. Fortunately
for, the Turks were drowned at sea and no battle took place. Iago wasOthello's flag carrier and thought that his rank should be higher. So Iago plotted
to ruin Othello's life and it started with getting Othello's lieutenant Cassio fired after a fight started by Iago. Iago was promoted to lieutenant and began
to persuade Othello that his wife Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio, the recently fired lieutenant. Iago convinced...show more content...
Iago drops a big hint to Othello that he was playing him but Othello missed it completely. Iago says,
"So please your Grace, my ancient; A man of honesty and trust"(I.iii)
The "ancient" refers to Iago and this shows how naГЇve Othello was to trust Iago since it was Iago that led to his ultimate downfall. Othello is very
naГЇve, missing hints from Iago that shows his pure hatred for Othello and how he wants to destroy his life. Finally the last phase of Othello is jealousy.
Othello began the play as a completely not jealous man, trusting his wife completely, to this man who would kill his best friend and his wife over a
tall tale. Othello had made a complete and total transformation from the powerful passionate man to the dangerous powerfully and passionately jealous
man who killed his innocent wife. Othello as first explains that he is beyond jealously, that he is not capable to being jealous for he is to strong.
At first he says he will not be jealous
"Why, why is this?
Think'st thou I'ld make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions? No; to be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved: exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
Matching thy inference. 'Tis not to make me jealous
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays

Othello, Race, and the Effect on Character Essay
With the influx of trade during the Elizabethan Era, English society encountered an increase of descriptions and encounters with people from remote
countries, including Africa. With these happenstances, brought misunderstandings of people and cultures, therefore race and discriminations began to
form. Shakespeare's protagonist in Othello, a Moor, was affected by societal standards in his ability to develop as an individual because of physical
characteristics and internal insecurities because of the conflict, which tears him between two cultures. In the mid–sixteenth century, England began
encountering Native West Africans. Their appearance in London began as early as 1554 and by 1601, which led Elizabeth I to convey her displeasure
...show more content...
Pory's translation depicts Leo as a noble Moor, seasoned traveler, Christian convert, and former slave. Othello's ethnicity becomes fundamental because
of how he is personified, by both others and himself (Berry 315–318).
The opening scene of Othello begins not with the title character, but with Iago and Rodrigo's derogatory remarks about Othello. Iago compares the
Moor to "an old black ram" (1.1.89), a Barbary horse" (1.1.112), and refers to the consummation of his marriage to Desdemona as "making the beast
with two backs" (1.1.117–118). Rodrigo refers to the relationship between Othello and Desdemona as a "gross revolt" (1.1.135) and about her being in
"the gross clasp of the lascivious Moor" (1.1.127). Before Othello even appears, he is denoted as dreadful, deceitful, lustful, and inhuman, qualities,
which he will reflect on himself and his counterparts, Iago and Desdemona. Brabantio shares in the racial sentiment of Iago and Rodrigo when he
learns of his daughter's marriage to the Moor. Othello's misunderstood culture brings Brabantio to the conclusion that a "foul thief" (1.2.62) must have
stolen his daughter by the use of witchcraft. Brabantio

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

Theme Of Identity In Othello
Othello's Identity, Morals, and Acceptance
Othello is perceived as one whom is lost in the novel. Caryl Phillps retells the Shakespeare's Othello. In Nature of Blood by revisiting Shakespeare's
Othello, Phillips focuses on discrimination, identity and desire of home through interwoven stories. The novel discusses Othello's past and present
situation upon his arrival in Venice. The theme of acceptance is prominent throughout the novel. Othello'scharacter deteriorates as he struggles with his
identity and the notion of home.
Othello is a general in the service of Venice. He is examined in the Shakespeare play as courageous, noble qualities, trustworthy. It is obvious to feel
a degree of sympathy for Othello because he is considered an "other". He is a man that is willing to accept that he is racially different, as he seems to
recognize his status. I tend to sympathize with Othello because he easily influenced, insecure, and a benevolent heart for Desdemona. Othello relies
heavily upon engaging with the Venetian culture and his identity as the military general. The two stories draw parallel to each other because Othello's
identity is not...show more content...
The article uses three major concepts to explain Othello's struggle. The author discusses "Black European Success" as a reference to the book
European tribe. He explains that Othello tragedy began when he started to forget he was black. The author describes Othello as "white mask tucking
black skin away in shame" (Calbi 5). Othello is oppressed from the outsider and desires to be accepted into the Venetian culture. The Ghost of
Strangers are traumatic and messy memories that cannot assimilate entirely. "Ghost of strangers" always arrive at a different time throughout the
novel. The notion of "home" resides in the imaginative gap between desire. Home is a place where one's feels welcome. It is equivalent to the
marginalization of a host of

Othello Character Analysis

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Featured

Featured (20)

Othello Character Analysis