Demonization of Characters

English > Analysis
Literature > English
Shakespeare > Merchant of Venice
Shakespeare > Other Plays and Comparisons

Explains how Shakespeare enforces the discourse of otherness by demonizing his characters Aaron the Moor and Shylock the Jew in the plays,"Titus Andronicus" and "The Merchant of Venice", respectively.

1,000 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2004 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines William Shakespeare s plays, Titus Andronicus and The Merchant of Venice, and the author's enforcement of the discourse of otherness through the demonization of Aaron and Shylock. Through the rhetoric of the plays, both Aaron and Shylock are explicitly demonized. The paper explains how the discourse of otherness is enforced in three stages: by stripping the antagonists of their names, reducing them to subhuman levels, and, finally, equating the antagonists with the devil.

From the Paper:

"In Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare presents the discourse of otherness in the praxis. In this scene, Titus Andronicus is returning from war with captives. The Goths, and their queen s lover/slave, Aaron, a Blackamoor. Throughout the play, Aaron is presented outside of the main action of revenge, but has an underhanded, covert role in manipulating the remaining characters. This separateness of physical action perpetuates the discourse of otherness because his character is disregarded by other characters. His lack of physical action in the play is compensated by his movement mentally. From the beginning he is constantly devising a plan to overcome his otherness and servile status. To elevate himself to a position of power."

More papers on Demonization of Characters:

View more related papers »

Cite this paper

APA Citation:

Demonization of Characters (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Analytical-Essay-Demonization-of-Characters/50482