Abstract This paper discusses the role of the character Emilia in the play 'Othello' by William Shakespeare. According to this paper, Emilia is more than just a character in this play. She functions as an example of the standing and role of women during that particular period of time.
From the Paper "What type of character does Emilia play in 'Othello'? Does she play a significant role? Why? What is her purpose in the play? These are questions that must be considered in looking at the different characters in 'Othello'. Emilia is Iago's wife and the maid to Desdemona. Emilia is a faithful wife until the very end of the play where she takes a stand against Iago. Emilia is a symbol of the state of women during this time period. It is important to study the role that Emilia played in Othello because she has a significant and dramatic purpose."
Examines the characters of Desdemona and Emilia in "Othello" by William Shakespeare and argues how the violence imposed upon them by their husbands is a social statement of the women's restrained state in society.
1,723 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 55.95
Abstract This essay looks at marriage as a patriarchal institution, and shows how the violence that occurs against Desdemona and Emilia in "Othello" by William Shakespeare infers the dominance that men hold over women. The essay also looks at the dominant views about femininity, as expressed by Iago, and shows how these stereotypes dictate the fate of Desdemona and Emilia.
From the Paper "Othello uses words like "greedy" and "devour" to illustrate how Desdemona hungered for him and chased after him. Othello does fear Desdemona will leave him once her curiosity is quenched, as he expresses through lines "She loved me for the dangers I had passed. And I loved her that she did pity them" (I.iii 165-167). In these lines, Othello shows through the use of the past tense and suggestive language that he knows Desdemona loves him for his exoticness, but that the thrill of it may soon wear off as the dangers dwindle."
Abstract The final scene of Shakespeare's "Othello" presents many difficulties for filming--even beyond presenting the resolution of the tragedy. It is set in a single room and features the ugly intimacy of the murder and then expands to include all the people who come tumbling into the room in its aftermath. The paper shows that the light must be low at the beginning and sufficiently bright at the end in order to distinguish various parts of the room at the same time. Nor does the scene present many opportunities for trimming the script. Most of what is said is exactly to the point and in Othello's speeches it contains some of the play's most famous poetry. The paper shows that in addition to the logistics, of course, it is the scene in which Othello must change once again and Iago must seal his lips so that people would still be speculating about his motives 400 years later.
From the Paper "Thus when he enters the bedchamber he is on the edge--delicately balancing his own threatened self-image against the new image of the unfaithful Desdemona. The very idea that Desdemona might not conform to his ideal of her tended to undermine his idealized self-conception and the question of killing her becomes a matter of delivering justice. He must kill her "else she'll betray more men" (5.2.6). In this way he attempts to retain his idea of himself and is, once again, performing a civic duty when he kills. The act needs to be filmed so that Othello more or less finds himself apart from the others--to his surprise. Yet even though he berates himself for his stupidity and regrets his crime he has begun to restore Desdemona to her old idealized role."
Abstract "Othello" by William Shakespeare is a play demonstrating that we all have strengths and weaknesses and that, while the best of us will focus on people's strengths, the worst of us will not only focus on their weaknesses, but use them in destructive ways. It discusses how, throughout the play, the weakness of jealousy directly or indirectly brings the destruction and downfall of all the major characters, including not only Othello and his bride Desdemona, but Iago, his wife Emilia, Roderigo, and Cassio.
From the Paper "Othello is particularly vulnerable because, being a Moor, he is somewhat an outsider (Weller, PAGE). He is accepted as a leader in society and as a great military man, but he is aware of his differences. He used them to charm those around him, wooing and winning the beautiful Desdemona and then defending her marriage to others, but the villain of the play, Iago, knows that it can be easy to cast doubt on an outsider, and he uses Othello's differences to his own perverted and personal advantage."
Abstract This paper will contrast and compare Shakespeare's Emilia in "Othello" with Henrik Isben's Nora, who is the main character in his play called "A Doll's House". By evaluating the differences and similarities of these two women we can better understand the complexities that make them change so much in the stories that they are placed in. This analysis will reveal how they made these changes in the context of each other's similarities and differences.
Abstract This paper portray's Shakespeare's "Othello" as a tragic play wherein the revolutionary attempt to overcome the racial prejudice is defeated. Each characters' part in the story is described. The racial discrimination aimed at Othello from the different members of the cast is explained. The paper discusses the ultimate insecurities which stem from Othello's race and the prejudice against him, and which prove to lead to his undoing.
From the Paper "Othello, one of those great tragedies of Shakespeare was written in 1604. Shakespeare skillfully interleaves the bravado and the accomplishments of Othello along with racial discrimination against him. In fact the two things that run parallel in this novel are Othello's valor as a warrior and the racial prejudice that is harbored against him, albeit on the sly. Shakespeare's dexterity in creating the genre for his plays is something, which is astounding. This is a novel with clear undertones of racism in it. "Othello" is considered a revolutionary and critical work of Shakespeare which exceeds all his other plays in terms of the sheer depth of emotions that the tragedy evokes. It is a tragic play wherein the revolutionary attempt to overcome the racial prejudice is defeated. When we study the play in depth we again and again encounter verses and epithets that carry this sting of racism in a plainly obvious tone."
Abstract The paper discusses Othello's and the other characters' misplaced trust due to their need for empirical evidence in Shakespeare's work, "Othello". It also analyzes Shakespeare's use of monster imagery to describe the darkness in the human heart. Finally, the paper contains an exploration of the liberal use of supposed love by the characters, which is eventually proven not to be love at all.
From the Paper "Shakespeare's exploration of the concept of jealousy leads to the theme of the human mind's predisposition to favor the "monstrous." Monsters of the human psyche are self-generating, even without the prodding of an evil manipulator such as Iago. He feeds this compulsion by encouraging Othello to "behold," in his mind's eye, his wife being "topped" by Cassio (3. 3. 412). When jealousy is labeled as a monster in the play, it is used to suggest how one can be overtaken by a passion. Iago defines jealousy as "the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on" (3. 3. 179-80), a foul parasite that torments its host. When Emilia explains jealousy to be a "monster begot upon itself, born on itself" (3. 4. 157), she underscores its self-generating nature. "Jealous souls" do not need real events to fuel their suspicions because, Emilia explains, they are "not ever jealous for the cause" (3. 4. 154-55)."
Abstract The paper offers an analysis of Act IV And Act V of Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello" that focuses on the evil treachery of Iago and the gullibility and pride of Othello, as causes of the tragic ending.
From the Paper "In Acts IV and V of Shakespeare's "Othello" we see a steady and quick destruction of Othello. In Act IV Iago works his evil on Othello, driving him to jealous rage through a series of ploys. In Act V we see Othello like the base Indian throw a pearl away. Richer than all his tribe when he kills Desdemona, Shakespeare Act IV and Act V bring to light two main themes of the play."
Tags: Desdemona, Cassio, Emilia, jealousy, public reputation, deception, human nature, drama, Venice, infidelity, cuckold
Abstract This paper offers a close reading of early speeches by Iago in Shakespeare's "Othello" that illustrate his character and motives. The paper focuses on the images and speeches in Act I, Scene 1 that early in the play reveal Iago as a self-centered man lacking compassion for others.
From the Paper "A close reading of a work of literature can focus on any number of different elements. Character analysis as revealed in the dialogue or description of a character is one approach to close reading that illuminates meaning in a work of literature. In this brief essay, the character selected for analysis is Iago, who is the villain and evil presence in William Shakespeare's play "Othello.""
Abstract One of the most popular characters to illustrate the theme of evil is Iago from William Shakespeare's play, "Othello". Iago is the definition of true evil genius. By observing his character and actions, this paper shows that we can understand his philosophy of life, which includes no regard for others. In fact, the more pain and destruction he can cause, the happier he seems to be. The paper shows that, through Iago, Shakespeare has painted the portrait of evil in human flesh.
From the Paper "Iago also demonstrates his capacity for evil when he tricks Othello. He uses what he knows about Othello against him. In fact, he can manipulate him so easily because he knows him so well. For example, he convinces Othello that he actually cares for him and that he is concerned about his future. He cautions him that being jealous might lead to ruin by telling him, "O, beware, my lord of jealousy!/It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock/The meat it feeds on" (III.iii.166-9)."
An analysis of the character flaws that lead to calamitous falls of Othello and Oedipus in Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" and William Shakespeare's"Othello".
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 2 sources, 2006, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper discusses Oedipus's and Othello's character flaws or weakness in the two plays, Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" and William Shakespeare's"Othello". The paper describes the two plays as classic dramatic tragedies, in the sense that the audience experiences fear and pity as they witness the hero undergo a huge and disastrous change. It then suggests that in both plays one crucial reason for this calamitous fall is character flaws or weaknesses in the protagonists, Oedipus and Othello.
From the Paper "Discuss Oedipus's and Othello's character flaws or weaknesses Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Shakespeare's Othello are two plays with much in common. Both are classic dramatic tragedies, in the sense that the audience experiences fear and pity as they witness the hero undergo a huge and disastrous change. Moreover, in both plays one crucial reason for this calamitous fall is character flaws or weaknesses in the protagonists, Oedipus and Othello. This paper will examine and compare the character flaws and weaknesses of these two protagonists. Both plays begin with their protagonist in a very good position."
Abstract This paper attempts to establish the character Othello in Shakespeare's Othello as a classic tragic hero as defined by Aristotle. The paper gives the various theories of Aristotle as found in his 'Poetics' related to tragedy and tragic hero.
Abstract This essay compares the characters of Iago, from "Othello", with Krogstad in "A Doll's House". These two men play significant roles in destroying a marriage; however, the results of their involvement are different. Iago ruins Othello and instigates the murder of Othello's wife. Krogstad inadvertently liberates Nora from her marriage so that she is free to leave her unhappy life. While both Iago and Krogstad are secondary characters, they play primary roles in effecting a dramatic change in the outcome of the plays.
Abstract This paper discusses the submissive victim role played by Desdemona in 'Othello' by William Shakespeare, and how it is the central aspect of Othello's demise. She is privately inquisitive as to why Othello is angered at her, but she cannot properly stand up to her husband and fend off the allegations set against her by Iago. This provides the various episodes of jealousy and rage that will culminate in the destruction of their marriage.
From the Paper "In this drama study, the character Desdemona in Othello by William Shakespeare will be analyzed for her various submissive roles as the wife of Othello. In many ways, she does portray a victim role, as she is clearly unaware of the seriously necessity to confront her husband. Although she is at once penetrating in her thoughts about her husband inwardly, she does not publicly surmise the danger of her husband's anger throughout much of the play. In essence, Desdemona is a submissive victim role character that cannot reveal the plot set against her by the vicious Iago. "
Abstract The paper takes a close look at Desdemona's character in Shakespeare's "Othello," showing that she is partially responsible for the tragic events that occur in the play. The author challenges the accepted view that Othello lead to his own downfall. The paper describes Desdemona as a naive victim and cites this naivete as preventing her from standing up to Othello, and leading to the plays tragic outcome.
From the Paper "Desdemona's naivete is first seen when she defends Othello to her father. She describes her love for Othello saying, "I saw Othello's visage in his mind, / And to his honour and his valiant parts / Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate" (I,iii). This statement is made as part of a romantic speech where Desdemona describes the greatness of Othello. This shows a level of naivete because Desdemona is only able to see the goodness in Othello. A good comparison can be made by comparing the Duke of Venice's view of Othello. He too, shows that he has a lot of respect for Othello and refers to him as valiant. This respect is based on Othello as a soldier and he is considered brave and valiant. However, this respect does not extend to seeing Othello as a good husband. This is why the Duke of Venice is not easily convinced that Othello and Desdemona's relationship is acceptable. This shows that the Duke of Venice does respect Othello but also sees him realistically and does not consider him perfect. In contrast, Desdemona speaks of Othello as if he is perfect. She can only see the goodness in Othello and is not able to see his faults."
