The People in "Othello"

Paper Summary:

The paper is really two papers conflated into one. The first paper discusses Shakespeare's "Othello" and the characters involved in the story, with an eye towards revealing those most responsible for the tragedies that befall so many in the tale. The second paper examines the characters depicted in two of James Joyce's short stories to reveal what these characters underscore about human nature and human shortcomings.

From the Paper:

"Most of the characters in Shakespeare's "Othello" are silly dupes of Iago's contrivances and subterfuge. Iago and the recklessly prideful Othello, however, deserve to take moral responsibility for the tragedy of the drama. Iago is motivated by greed, envy and pathological self-absorption and the result is tragedy on a grand scale. Of all the characters in "Othello," Iago is the one most deserving of scorn and the one most responsible for the tragedy that befalls the noble but short-sighted Moorish king. Othello too must be criticized, insofar as he seems all too eager to impute all manner of frivolous, flirtatious conduct to his lady - beginning first with his acceptance of Iago's intimation that she and Cassio are much more than merely friends (Othello III.III.242-243)."

More papers on The People in "Othello":

• Analytical Essay # 131741 : "Persuasion in "Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 110140 : "Setting and Characters in "Othello"
• Analytical Essay # 147877 : "The Deception of Othello by Iago"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: