Human Frailty in Othello Essay - 1544 Words

Human Frailty in Othello Tragedy is an intrinsically human concept; tragic heroes are damned by what they themselves do. Othello is not so much felled by the actions of Iago, but by a quality all people possess-- human frailty. Accordingly, Othello is not a victim of consequences, but an active participant in his downfall. He is not merely a vehicle for the machinations of Iago; he had free agency. Othellos deficiencies are: an insecure grasp of Venetian social values; lack of critical intelligence, self-knowledge, and faith in his wife; and finally, insecurity-- these are the qualities that lead to his own downfall. Othello is the Cultural Other in Venetian society, and while he is very learned, it is probable that†¦show more content†¦3. 400-401). He lacks the critical intelligence to doubt Iago, because Othello feels his masculinity is damaged by even the mere suggestion that he has been cuckolded. His insecure grasp of social and human values results in placing his faith in Iago, over his supposed beloved. His immature romanticism allows passion to override his critical intelligence (as evidenced by his epileptic fits, triggered by superfluous emotion), and results in blindness to the pitfalls that surround him. In the Anthony Hopkins film version, Othello is foaming at the mouth, and seems to get progressively more insane. By the middle of the play, Othello has already believed his newlywed wife has been unfaithful to him; his only relief must be to loathe her (3. 3. 266-267). He strikes his chest, and it hurts his hand, so hardened is his heart. He believes Iago so fully, that all [his] fond love thus do I blow to heaven/ Tis gone/Arise, black vengeance, from hollow hell; this man quickly converts love into hate, as the em otions do seem to go hand-in-hand (3. 3. 442-443). In Act III, Scene III, Iago pledges himself to Othello forever; Othello is being gradually pulled down to Hell (476). It is this unequivocal acceptance of Iagos slipshod evidence over Desdemonas vehement denials that indicate he is not asShow MoreRelatedOthello By William Shakespeare s Othello1893 Words   |  8 PagesShakespeare’s tragedy Othello deals with various issues in the tragic vein of tragedies such as Hamlet and King Lear. Marriage and associated issues stands out as a key theme and preoccupation in Othello. In Othello, various issues such as race, patriarchal attitudes and other general human frailties complicate marriages. Shakespeare portrays marriage in a very bleak light. In the beginning of the play, we see that marriage is not only a union of man and his wife but also involves various familialRead MoreTheme Of Feminism In Othello1006 Words   |  5 Pageslust, or betrayal, Shakespearean themes never cease to deliver a cacophony of chaos to the stage. Shakespeare’s Othello, however, carries a theme that ultimately leads to the demise of its secondary heroin, Emilia. Was Emilia’s feminism-forward outspokenness against Othello’s patriarchal society worth her paying the ultimate price? Yes. Emilia is the handmaiden to the wife of Othello, Desdemona, and the wife of the story’s antagonist, Iago. Emilia frequently spends abundant amounts of time withRead MoreOthello, By William Shakespeare1134 Words   |  5 PagesIn Shakespeare’s play Othello, there is love, jealousy, death and of course, a tragic hero. A tragic hero is one who experiences an inner struggle due to some flaw within his/her character; that struggle results in the fall of a hero. According to Aristotle, â€Å"A tragic hero is a character who is not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice and depravity, but by some error or frailty†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Aristotle, Poetics). Othello is an intricate play that dwells into the privateRead MorePortrayal Of Women In Othello Essay1102 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice, is set during the Renaissance period, therefore men treat women as if they are objects. Even though men treat women badly they still stand up for their beliefs. They are obedient when their husbands tell them to do something but they are still direct even if the outcome is negative. The women in Othello are obedient but straightforward with their opinions because Desdemona married someone unsuitable, without her father’s approvalRead MoreConflict Essay- English1596 Words   |  7 Pagesantagonists against nature, contradictory emotions or opposing forces, manipulating an individual to fulfill the desire of one’s unmeasured flame. Applying a prevailing and emphatic depth into the concept of internal and external conflict, the texts Othello composed by Shakespeare and 1984 devised by George Orwell, attracts the audience to see, feel and experience the compelling turmoil’s that erupt. The consequences of racial discrimination, the contrasting of a democracy and a totalitarian societyRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Othello, The Moor Of Venice Essay1251 Words   |  6 PagesIn the play Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare, the women take on various roles in this Venetian society. The roles include committing fraud, playing the part of the victim, and playing the part of the hero. In this Venetian society in the 1600s, the women served major purposes and were vital to keep the towns running. However, the women also faced being victimized and stereotyped in this man-run society. Women were inferior to men, treated unequally, and women were also viewed asRead MoreOthello Notes2305 Words   |  10 PagesOthello Notes: Assessment Objectives: AO1: A consistently fluent, precise writing, using critical terminology to present a coherent and detailed argument in which the question is well understood and answered. AO2: Well developed, analytical and consistently detailed discussion of effects of language, form and structure and ways in which it affects the audience. AO3: Well informed and detailed discussion of different readings of the text by various audiences, as well as different criticalRead MoreFeminism In Othello Essay957 Words   |  4 PagesEmilia is often named â€Å"the feminist of Othello† by scholars and critics because of her, seemingly, fiery independence among a sea of submissive women ( â€Å"Act Four: The Feminist of Othello† 17). The characterization of a woman who speaks out for herself suggests that Shakespeare thought progressively; because during that time, the Elizabethan era, women were mere objects rather than human beings. The plot of Othello revolves around the misgivings of poor communication and lack of trust among the charactersRead MoreWhat Is the Genre of Woyzeck?1640 Words   |  7 PagesBy examining what is meant by the concept of theatrical ‘genre’, how would you characterize the genre of Woyzeck? Today, whenever somebody is asked to think of a typical Tragedy, his or her immediate answer would be; Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, possibly even King Lear. This is because these plays constitute what is conventionally known as a Tragedy. They mostly follow the conventions outlined in Aristotle’s Poetics, and have characteristics recognisable of a Tragedy, for example, the tragic hero beingRead More Female Characters in William Shakespeares Othello Essay examples2137 Words   |  9 PagesFemale Characters in William Shakespeares Othello Throughout history, women’s place and role in society has vastly changed, as well as their sexuality. In the Victorian era, it was considered abnormal for women to masturbate or feel pleasure from sexual intercourse with her husband. They were led to believe that they were sick, and thus went to their doctor who would â€Å"rid† them of their â€Å"fever† through vaginal stimulation. The patriarchal society did not want women to know or understand