Mirror of Good and Evil in Shakespeares Othello - 696 Words

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the tragic hero, Othello, and the antagonist, Iago, are portrayed in very differing ways. Despite this fact, Iago represents the glaring faults and imperfections that Othello has, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Shakespeare very effectively uses Iago as a device to reveal Othello’s hamartias. The jealousy, mistreatment of women and racial insecurities are all flaws that Othello exhibits which are reflected in Iago’s character as well. As Othello’s flaws transpire in the course of the play, these same flaws are mirrored in Iago’s actions and attitude. To begin, the jealousy that emerges in Othello becomes his fatal flaw and it ultimately leads to his downfall. This jealousy causes him to transform from a caring husband to a homicidal murderer. Othello is â€Å"green-eyed† because he believes that Cassio is having sexual relations with his wife and because Cassio will take his position in command in Cyp rus. He proclaims, â€Å"Oh, that the slave had forty thousand lives! One is too poor, too weak for my revenge†¦Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, for ’tis of aspics tongues!† (3.3.442-460), which indicates that, as a result of jealousy, he wants to kill Cassio in vengeance. However, it is ironic that Iago is tormenting Othello and manipulating his shortcomings of jealousy when in truth, he is also jealous. In fact, he conceives this entire plot to bring the downfall of Othello and Cassio because of jealousy. In the beginning of the play, he saysShow MoreRelated Rating Othello1404 Words   |  6 PagesRating Othello  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Is this Shakespearean tragedy Othello at the top of the rating chart, or is it just near the top? And why? This essay intends to examine various aspects of this subject, along with critical opinion.    This play ranks near the top. The Bard’s presentation of emotions, character, of good and evil actions that are down-to-earth – these are sometimes seen as the main reasons for the high ranking of Othello. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar in â€Å"The Engaging QualitiesRead MoreAnalysis Of William Shakespeare s Othello1449 Words   |  6 Pagesaware that ultimately teaches a lesson. In Othello, the message Shakespeare portrays to his audience is the importance self-knowledge; which is the ability to recognize and accept one’s flaws through forgiveness and thus the ability to love oneself, others, and participate in the love of God. By comparing and contrasting their character traits, Shakespeare uses Iago and Othello to demonstrate the tool of self-knowledge that prevents man from acting in an evil way. This message is demonstrated in partRead MoreEssay on Of Revenge: Francis Bacon’s Optimistic Tale?1038 Words   |  5 Pagesor Solomon are perfectly viable to a character that chooses to take revenge after they have been wronged, to believe that no man does evil just for the sake of evil annihilates any complete sense of credibility that Bacon’s thoughts imply. The author’s aspirations of the seeking of revenge solely as a means of retribution for oneself, and not to satisfy the evil within the human soul, is a beautiful and idealistic hope which belongs in some earthen utopia. Unfortunately, it has no bearing on theRead More Othello, The Moor of Venice Essay examples1319 Words   |  6 PagesOthello, the Moor of Venice is one of the major tragedies written by William Shakespeare that follows the main character, Othello through his trials and tribulations. Othello, the Moor of Venice is similar to William Shakespeare’s other tragedies and follows a se t of specific rules of drama. The requirements include, following the definition of a tragedy, definition of tragic hero, containing a reversal of fortune, and a descent from happiness. William Shakespeare fulfills Aristotle’s requirementsRead MoreThe Weakness of Othello819 Words   |  3 Pages In Othello, by William Shakespeare, the characters Iago, Cassio, and Othello share a good bond between each other. They have been good friends for some time. Othello, being sdeen as the hero and Iago as the villain. Iago is a two face person. He manipulates Othello into thinking that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Throughout Shakespeares entire play, Othello, goes through emotions of love, jealousy and betrayal which changes him in the end of the play. The naive actions and beliefRead MoreFoils in Othello1326 Words   |  6 PagesThe Foils of Othello One of William Shakespeare’s many attributes as a playwright of the late 16th century was his character development. Shakespeare’s seamless use of indirect characterization sets his works apart from the other playwrights and authors of his time. In Othello, the Shakespearian tragedy about the newlywed Othello and Desdemona, Shakespeare uses character foils to emphasize the strengths and weaknesses of the characters. By making inwardly similar characters seem like polar oppositesRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Othello And Othello1385 Words   |  6 PagesFor the time Othello was set in, 16th century Elizabethan society held strong socioeconomic roles that governed social statuses. In Shakespeare’s Othello, class positions become a theme that emphasizes power as a major role in relationships. In the case of Othello, a general of the Venetian army, and Iago, one of his trusted advisors, that power struggle is the force that dominants the play and leads to the disas trous and memorable ending. Machiavelli’s treatise, The Prince, examines the dynamicRead MoreJealousy and Race in Othello 1430 Words   |  6 PagesOthello is one of Shakespeare’s tragedies; originally written as a play and performed to an Elizabethan audience. Othello and many of Shakespeare’s other plays have been performed to various audiences since, and have been adapted into Opera, Ballet, Film and television productions. Othello has survived the centuries to this day and age; and continues to captivate and remain relevant to a modern audience; Othello certainly is a timeless classic work of art. â€Å"The object of tragic imitation is menRead MoreOthello is Not a Tragic Hero Essay1481 Words   |  6 PagesOthello has been described as one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays because the play focuses on its themes of good and evil, military, politics, love and marriage, religion, racial prejudice, gender conflict, and sexuality; but the co ntroversy and debate surrounding Othello is â€Å"Why is Othello a qualification for a tragedy?† Most readers are aware of the many famous deaths or acts of death within the Shakespearean plays. And when the main characters die in Shakespeare’s plays, indeedRead More How Does Othello Rate?1896 Words   |  8 PagesHow Does Othello Rate?  Ã‚        Ã‚   Is this the best, the second-best, the worst of William Shakespeare’s tragedies? Where does it place in the lineup? Let’s consider where it deserves to be and why in this essay.    The play is so quotable; consider Desdemona’s opening lines before the Council of Venice: â€Å"My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided duty,† or Othello’s last words: â€Å"Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.† Could the continuing reputation of Othello be attributed to the quotable