Shakespeare's "Othello"

Paper Summary:

This paper illustrates, through examples from the play, that Shakespeare used the character of Desdemona to explore the insecurities in Othello's character.

From the Paper:

"In fact, Othello reveals his own insecurity much before Iago begins to plant the seeds of doubt in his mind about Desdemona's fidelity. This is apparent in his self-effacing remarks about his background and coarse speech (1.3. 84). Indeed, Othello's self-deprecating remarks reveal his negative perception of his background and alien skin color in spite of his powerful position in Venetian society and Desdemona's blatant hero worship: "she wished / That heaven had made her such a man?/ She loved me for the dangers I had passed." (1.3. 165-69) Unfortunately, Othello is unable to focus on the fact that Desdemona's love for him was based on the strengths that she saw in his character. Instead, he allows his complexes to dominate his perception of Desdemona's character and motives."

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• Analytical Essay # 54260 : "Shakespeare's "Othello" and Tragedy"
• Research Proposal # 104756 : "Women in Shakespeare's Tragedies"

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