6. In what ways does "reputation" become an element of the conflict with each of the four major characters?
For Othello, reputation becomes an element of conflict because he is proud and has a certain reputation to uphold, which is threatened by the idea of his wife being unfaithful. For Iago, reputation is what drives his actions; jealousy of Cassio has caused him to lash out against the Moor, because Iago believes he should be held in higher esteem than Cassio. For Desdemona, reputation is central to her conflict because the one thing she did that was contrary to her reputation, marrying Othello, is the one thing that gives him reason to believe that she would be unfaithful to him. For Cassio, reputation is important because if he was not concerned about Othello's opinion of him, he would not ask Desdemona to intercede on his behalf, and Iago would not have been able to allege that they were having an affair.
7. In what way do Emilia's speeches about men reveal a certain feminist bias?
Emilia's speeches reveal a feminist bias, which is inevitable in a play like Othello, where all of the major male characters are either incompetent or evil. Because Emilia understands that Othello is jealous, for some reason, she is able to shed light on a situation and can speak honestly about the dangers of jealousy, which was an emotion associated solely with males in the play.
8. What does it mean "to love too well?"
Within the context of the play, the phrase is intended to mean that Othello's love for Desdemona was too intense and is what drove him to kill her. However, that is simply an excuse provided by Othello. His actions towards Desdemona did not reveal any love for her, but a jealous need to possess her. Had he actually loved...
Othello as Tragic Hero Othello, the Moor of Venice is a Shakespearean tragedy that focuses on the great war hero Othello and the lengths to which Iago goes to in order to strip Othello of his power. Iago's thirst for power commences when he is passed up for promotion and Michael Cassio is instead award the position of lieutenant. Although it would appear to be more logical that Iago target Cassio,
Iago notices this flaw at once and plots to exploit it almost immediately. This is evident when he tells Roderigo: The Moor is of a free and open nature, That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, And will as tenderly be led by th' nose As asses are. (Shakespeare I.iii.393-6) Here we see that Iago intends on using Othello's open nature against him by allowing him to believe that Desdemona is
In fact, even when Othello enters their bedchamber and talks about killing her, entreating her to pray so that she does not die with a sin on her soul, Desdemona makes no effort to run from Othello, but questions him about why he is upset. (Othello, IV. iii, 45-51). Cassio's flaw is not as obvious in the beginning part of the play, but plays a major role in the downfall
Shakespeare's Othello: Is it a tragedy according to Aristotle? Aristotle and tragedy Aristotle defines tragedy as imitation of an action that is serious and has a certain dramatic and complete magnitude. Tragedy to Aristotle is something that is: "A form of drama exciting the emotions of pity and fear. Its action should be single and complete, presenting a reversal of fortune, involving persons renowned and of superior attainments, and it should be written
He complains that his name "is now begrimed and black" (3.3.384) and fears that Desdemona has made him a "fixed figure for the time of scorn" (4.2.53). His fears might be those of any man, insecure in his position, concerned about how he is viewed. Thus, both heroes are true to life in that each has his own particular faults, like any man. Aristotle's fourth condition of the tragic hero
Iago in Othello Othello is one of the most important and popular Shakespeare tragedies where the playwright highlights the maliciousness of human nature and the way it can destroy some naive souls. Iago is the villain in this play who is presented as an epitome of deceit and malice. However this has been done while keeping the character wrapped in thick clouds of honesty and truthfulness. This is a strange paradox
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