Abstract
The paper examines the factors in Shakespeare's play "Othello" which made it possible for Iago to make Othello believe that Desdemona had been unfaithful to him. It looks at how the jealous Iago took advantage of Othello's naivete, lack of perception and vanity and Desdemona's overtrusting nature. The paper also looks at how Emilia's loyalty and Cassio's concern about what other people think helps Iago to deceive Othello.

From the Paper
"In fact, Othello's naivete about the nature of love leaves him very vulnerable to Iago's manipulation. From his statements and the descriptions given by the other characters in the play, it is clear that Othello is not romantically experienced. He seems to believe that love has some type of supernatural power, as evidenced by his telling Desdemona, "Perdition catch my soul/ But I do love thee! And when I love the not,/ Chaos is come again" (Othello, III.iii, 90-92). Othello seems to have the genuine belief that Desdemona's love is what is keeping him from descending into chaos. It is almost as if Othello, weary of the life of a soldier, found Desdemona's love to be the thing saving him from himself, and he simply cannot contemplate life without her. In fact, when confronted with Iago's evidence that Desdemona has been unfaithful, Othello does not act as a jealous man would."

Tags:literature, play, trickery, lies, characters

Abstract
An analysis of the theme of perception and deception through the conflict of appearance and reality in the play "Othello" by Shakespeare.

Abstract
The paper shows that while the theme of appearance versus reality runs rampant throughout the play of "Othello" as perceptions become reality and imaginary thoughts take form, it is Act 3 Scene 3 of the play that captures this theme in essence. It discusses how the scene is an ideal representation of the manipulation of Iago and presents how he twists words and facts and creates a second reality for Othello that ultimately results in tragedy.

From the Paper
"These words create a bond of trust towards Iago and reveal that Othello is unaware of Iagos deceit. Othello is honest himself and thus considers most people around him to be the same. His naivety and inability to perceive deceit when he sees it shows his lack of understanding of human nature and thus, makes him an easy person to manipulate.

It is in these words that Iago tries to show Othello the truth, as if mocking him for his nearsightedness and trust in people, "Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none!" (3.3.128)""

Tags:Desdemona, Cassio

Abstract
At the core, Desdemona's dedication to her husband, Othello, is as pure as that of Juliet to Romeo. Desdemona was not blessed with great intellect or passion. Hers was not a love like Juliet's which was forged in fire. (V.ii.323). In the process of destroying Othello, Iago's actions result in the deaths of Othello, Desdemona, Emilia (Iago's wife), Roderigo and the wounding of Cassio and of Iago himself. Perception indeed plays an enormous part in both plays, but perhaps no more so than in "Othello".

Abstract
This paper explains how Shakespeare uses the handkerchief given to Desdemona by Othello to symbolize the way in which Iago manipulates Othello's perception of women and, consequently, his relationship with Desdemona. More specifically, the paper charts the demise and the approach of Desdemona's murder through the handkerchief's sequential movement from virgin to wife to whore.

From the Paper
"Shakespeare infuses even the first appearance of the handkerchief with significance in that it emerges just as Othello begins to appreciate the sexual dimension of Desdemona. Iago has just proposed to Othello the possibility of Desdemona's infidelity when she offers it to Othello as a remedy for his headache, saying "it will be well" (Shakespeare 3.3. 286). Although Othello ultimately dismisses the idea, saying, "if she be false, heaven mocked itself!/ I'll not believe't" (3.3.277-8), Iago nonetheless lifts Desdemona's sexuality to a new level of consciousness. Furthermore, the manner in which Desdemona attempts to use the handkerchief defines it also as a symbol of her virtue. As new ideas stir in Othello's mind, Desdemona tries to press her handkerchief against his forehead. She figuratively smothers his thoughts of her infidelity with the symbol of her virtuousness. Shakespeare introduces the handkerchief through this precise encounter, because it marks the point at which Othello has just begun to contemplate Desdemona as a sexual being outside of their marriage."

Tags:carries, control, incarnation, virginal, purity, consummates, virgin, wedding, venice

Abstract
The paper discusses how Viola's speech in Act II defines the gender, verbal manipulation, and patriarchal aspects of the theme of disguise in William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". The paper shows how by understanding the gender roles allocated to men, she then begins to realize how she can manipulate her adversary verbally in her speech and how strong the power of being a man is in a patriarchal society.

Tags:shakespeare, twelfth, violet

Abstract
This study examines the role of jealousy, submissive female gender roles, and racism within Othello by William Shakespeare. In many ways, Desdemona pays a submissive role to Othello, as she cannot rise above her fears and confront her husband on the grave error of his theories about her infidelity. Furthermore, the issue of race helps Iago deploy his plan, as both he and Desdemona's father are racist in their jealousy of Othello's success. In this manner, jealousy, submissive female gender roles, and racism are constructed to bring a tragic ending to the once hopeful marriage of Othello and Desdemona. The issue of jealousy begins with Iago's anger at Cassio getting a promotion in Othello's elite guard.

Tags:race, jealousy, social

Abstract
This paper explain that the use of animal imagery in William Shakespeare's "Othello, the Moor of Venice" reflects the base instincts, which bring about the tragedy of the main character and his innocent wife. The author points out that negatively characterizing Othello as an animal might imply that he is as base and beastly as Iago, but his honor and nobility throughout the rest of Act I makes the reader doubt that Othello is the animal. The paper concludes that comparing the characters to animals suggests that the play is not about race, politics or social convention but rather about the predator and the prey, which is something deeper and more innate than the trappings of society. The paper includes several quotations.

From the Paper
"The innocent and good Cassio is deceived into believing himself a beast because of the machinations of Iago. Knowing that Cassio cannot tolerate alcohol, Iago encourages him to get drunk and orchestrates a fight in which Cassio appears the violent aggressor. Such behavior, especially because it interrupts the marriage bed of Othello and Desdemona, is perceived negatively by Othello who dismisses Cassio from his service. Cassio then likens himself to an animal, disparaging the effect of alcohol that "put an enemy in their mouths ....transform ourselves into beasts!""

Tags:viper, dog, tragedy, society, characters

Abstract
The paper discusses how William Shakespeare is one of the most famous playwrights of English literature today. He is still one of the majestic emblems of the British people and one of the great representatives of his time. The paper explores his limited biography and explains that little is known for certain about his life. The paper illustrates how Shakespeare experienced one of the most turbulent periods in history and describes in detail the era in which he lived. The paper looks at "Othello", one of Shakespeare's most acclaimed works.

From the Paper
"Despite rigorous research made to complete Shakespeare's biography, little is known for certain about his life. He was born at Stratford-upon- Avon in April 1564. His family was rather prosperous and highly regarded in town. However, by 1582, he had married Ann Hathaway, a woman eight years older than him; a fact that especially at that time stirred some controversy, as it was considered to be against the moral values of the era. Nonetheless, they had three children. The records show scarce evidence of his existence until his arrival in London in 1585. "There is no tradition, not universally accepted, that he fled From Stratford because he was in trouble for deed stealing, and had fallen foul of Sir Thomas Lucy, the local magnate; another that he was for some time a school master." (Shakespeare, 7)"

Tags:England, turbulence, biography, playwright

Abstract
This paper describes William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream as preposterous, and arsy-versy. The author points out that, by using the rude mechanicals, Shakespeare seems to be arguing that arsy-versy can turn even the most lamentable tragedy into a roaring comedy. The paper relates that an example of arsy-versy of one of the rude mechanicals is called Snug the Joiner, whose rhetoric is so slow and disjointed that he asks for his lines written in advance. The author also then discusses Titania as an example of preposterousnous, explaining that she is the fairy goddess who falls deeply in love with Bottom despite his having an ass for a head of which he is unaware. The paper concludes that the backwards reaction to the events of the play-within-the-play points to Shakespeare's message that people are insensitive to their own follies and yet are very perceptive of the same follies found in others.

From the Paper
"As the play begins, the preposterousness of the presentation is immediately shown in the prologue, which the rude mechanicals took great care to write so as not to offend the court. Peter Quince's delivery of the prologue presents a message opposite from the intended one. "If we offend, it is with our good will," he says, unfortunately telling the court that his intent is to offend. "All for your delight," he later says, "we are not here". The players then continue to present their play in a rather backwards manner; by making it crystal clear to the court that what they see in front of them isn't real."

Tags:preposterous arsy-versy, rude mechanicals, follies insensitive