Shakespeare vs. Hemingway

Paper Summary:

The writer of this paper contends and illustrates the common theme of alienation from community, as portrayed in both the writings of Shakespeare and Hemingway. This paper examines how both tragic tales focus on the main, male characters and their personal problems with the people in their respective lives. This paper examines the plot and main character of the deaf, old man, in Hemingway's novel. The main character in Hemingway's tale is alienated from the community because he is a sad old man and few people seem to care for him, including the waiter who serves him in the bar, where much of the story takes place. This paper details the trials and tribulations facing the title character of Othello, in Shakespeare's writings. The writer discusses the various reasons that the community has turned against Othello, mainly due to his cultural background as a Moor. This paper discusses how both tragic characters have outlived their usefulness, to themselves as well as to their communities, each in their own way. This paper also delves into how the underlying themes in both novels are still relevant in today's society.

From the Paper:

"Shakespeare's "Othello" presents a similar message but with different characters and methods. Othello is a Moor (a black Turkish man), who is grudgingly accepted by the community as long as he remains a strong leader and commander. However, many Europeans, such as those in the play, might not trust Othello because he is a Moor. Another critic writes, "The Moors and the Turks were united in religion, and the traditional enemies of Christian Europe, having pressed as far as Tours from the south, and as near as Vienna from the east." When Othello marries the white Desdemona, he presses his luck, and the tide of public favor turns against him. One of his most trusted friends turns against him and convinces him that Desdemona is having an affair with another of his friends. Othello is so blinded by jealousy and rage that he cannot see how his own band of men, his own "community" has turned against him and is pitting him against the people he used to trust the most."

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