Throughout the story Iago begins to help influence Othello’s envy to where he takes his wife 's life as well as his own. The use of the possessive pronoun “my” is intimate and suggests he owns her. One is the wife of the plays tragic hero-Othello; the other is betrothed to one of the greatest villains of all time-Iago. The relationship between the married couple allows us to understand Shakespeare’s commentary on human nature, particularly how humans are inherently selfish, prone to falling victim to jealousy, and are made both, as shown by Othello and Desdemona in Act 1 scene 3. 968 Words4 Pages. In the Odyssey, Odysseus’ tragic flaw is his hubris. She elopes with Othello, a ‘Moor’ who her father despises and states that Desdemona ran from, ‘her guardage to the sooty bosom of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight.’ The fact that Desdemona has defied her father has enraged him; therefore it seems that he would have to warn Othello that she might deceive him, which again, serves to provide a recipe for disaster in the form of the tragedy to come. All relationships reach points of turbulence, in which the strength of their bond is put to test. Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a university student. Reference this. Othello’s view of Desdemona is evidently changed and can be seen in the way … In the plays ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare uses the concept of a, and race impact the relationship between Othello and Desdemona? Desdemona lost her father, he later died because of grief. To effectively show the level of love between Othello and Desdemona Shakespeare must use different techniques, including language and structure. Desdemona had never even considered this possibility within any marriage. This leaves his mind susceptible to the tragic poisoning by the scheming Iago, even though Desdemona has done nothing wrong. But later she takes his guilt for smothering her and this is another proof of her love to her husband. Iago damages Othello mentally by fabricating Desdemona 's relationship with Cassio, Analyse how a key relationship was used to comment on the human condition in the written text(s). The noun “warrior”, Othello associates her with his own military role and recognises that she’s put herself in danger by taking part in the masculine affair of war. Othello and his wife never had sexual intercourse, but such a conclusion does not mean that both lacked a desire to do so. It is also symbolized by Desdemona’s handkerchief, which comes to represent both desire and conflict. Both are wearing white garments; a symbol of purity, and framed in a black background. Shakespeare discloses Desdemona’s elopement as a possible sight of how naïve and irrationally she thinks, due to her youth, [similar to another one of Shakespeare’s characters, young Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet]. Othello’s white uniform contrasts with the colour of his skin accentuating his smiling feature, strength and regal stature. Discuss how age, social position, and race impact the relationship between Othello and Desdemona. Till the very end she tries to persuade Othello she is “guiltless”. Othello fails to see the Desdemona, who is independent in her conduct and affairs and only sees her husband for his ‘mind’ and his achievements rather than look elsewhere for wealth and status. Othello is an Elizabethan Shakespearean tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the early seventeenth century. Othello highlights the equality in their relationship by calling Desdemona “my fair warrior”. Essay About Othello. In the late sixteenth century, the time in which Othello is based, it was disreputable, Othello is caught in between two different relationships that give him two different opinions about his life. Looking for a flexible role? This might be more acceptable in a 21st century audience, in comparison to a 16th century audience, who will, most certainly, frown upon such a display of affection between a white aristocratic female and a black male, who is only the General in the Army. In the final act, Othello and Desdemona’s intense, but fatally flawed, relationship is exhibited for the last time through the murder of Desdemona. All work is written to order. The contrast between The Moor Othello and the gentle Desdemona in Shakespeare`s tragedy Othello is noteworthy. If Germany had won the First World War Essay. In addition, Desdemona’s vivacity and assertiveness are confirmed by her marriage to Othello and these, again, serve to be positive traits, which, unfortunately, become her grave liability. This is uncharacteristic and would be seriously frowned upon by the Venetian Society. Othello is therefore the victim of the pervasive social stereotypes which definitely and certainly lead to his downfall and fall from grace. 2. Iago already had planned to ruin Othello. Emilia starts to develop a friendship with Desdemona and sticks with her when Othello starts to condemn her actions. Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, treats her as an object through which he defines himself. At the beginning of the play, one is introduced to the proud and gallant Othello, being a soldier whom the Venetian Officials require in the war. The audience will see Desdemona, till the end, as a loyal wife, who maintains her allegiance and love to Othello through thick and thin. Desdemona’s love and commitment is evident in her declaration, ‘my hearts subdued even to the very quality of my lord’, made in front of the Senate, proudly defying people by expressing her feelings for Othello, regardless of his race and background. Study for free with our range of university lectures! This can also be seen as one of the elements that prepare us for the tragedy to come. Lago brings out Othello as a deceitful person whose lies are believed by Desdemona. (b) Another aspect for the marriage to be considered unnatural is the fact that Othello is so much older than Desdemona, and of a different race. The fact that many saw the relationship of Othello and Desdemona containing the elements of tragedy is very true within the context of the Venetian [setting] and Elizabethan [audience] societies, as outlined above. No, the exact opposite. Copyright © 2003 - 2020 - UKEssays is a trading name of All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. One such favourable backing is found in the Duke of Venice, who ‘snubbed’ Brabantio, in favour of Othello taking his wife Desdemona with him to Cyprus. Othello - English Essay The contrasting characters; Desdemona and Emilia, form an interesting and important relationship in the play Othello. The relationship between Desdemona and Emilia is very complex as they find comfort in each other while having very contrasting worldviews. She should obey her father but she defied him. The importance of this scene illustrates how truly innocent Desdemona is, innocent of the crime of adultery, which she has been wrongly accused, by her husband, Othello and innocent in regard to the ways of the world. Othello desdemona relationship essay. Posted on February 21, 2017 by qaiyaa. Othello and Desdemonas Relationship Essay...intense human relationships that captivates audiences. Love is a devil Desdemona and Othello's Relationship Essay - Desdemona and Othello's Relationship Desdemona is a young Venetian noblewoman, who falls in love with a general in the army who works for her father, a senator. Women were perceived as possessions of their fathers who then became possessions of their husbands. November 29, 2019. As the drama continues and Othello’s relationship with Desdemona begins to interrupt down. This might be interpreted in the fact that Othello was more necessary and important to Venice than Brabantio. 1st Jan 1970 Is Dance Music a Subculture or Has it Now Become a Culture in its Own Right? This shows that Desdemona does not feel any remorse or concern knowing that she probably will be frowned upon and degraded by the Venetian society due to her relationship with Othello. How regardless of what measures they take my the nature of the play both relationships are doomed before they flourish, The extent in witch obsession clouds the minds of the luckless heroes and by what extent the women seem to be more in control of the men than the other way round. No plagiarism, guaranteed! Due to her naivety in this belief, this unfortunately seals her death warrant. This is largely due to the nature of the character of the main protagonist, Othello. Write a critical analysis of the relationship of Othello and Desdemona in Shakespeare`s tragedy Othello. Iago is revengeful, for a number of reasons, the most prominent is the fact he is angry at Othello and Michael Cassio (the man who Othello promoted), jealous of Othello and Desdemona (Othello’s wife) for their happy relationship and racist against Othello as he is a black man in a “white man’s world”. Desdemona, of a Venetian origin, is the daughter of Brabantio (a senator) who elopes to marry a Moorish Army General, Othello. You can view samples of our professional work here. The central topics that are discussed throughout the tragedy are gender and race, to which Othello exposes limitations and changes of perception during the play. This is the reason why some critics have seen that Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is doomed to failure from the start. The Relationship Between Othello and Desdemona. Point overall would be that Othello and Desdemona loved each other. Desdemona and Othello have the most troubling, Two of Shakespeare’s most noted plays Romeo and Juliet and Othello Shakespeare explores the essence of tragedy. Unfortunately both had people who did not at all want that relationship to come far. This only is the witchcraft I have used.” –Othello (act 1, scene 3, 167-169) It is a romantic tragedy, a popular writing topic for Shakespeare. As we don’t, major components in Othello, that Shakespeare incorporated throughout the play, is relationships. His unwavering confidence and pride is the reason why the gods punish Odysseus and as a result he does not return home for ten years. Read a sample prompt and A+ essay response on Othello. Othello and Desdemona also anticipate utopian values that lead to issues in character relationships that lead to tragic consequences. He is pulled in two directions and he thinks his wife is honest but fears she is not and therefore he wants to ‘chop her into messes!’ This helps with Shakespeare’s inclusion of domestic violence in the play, by allowing Othello to slap Desdemona in the presence of Lodovico. Desdemona is the purest and simplest human being who sees the world as a place incapable of the evil of which she later becomes a victim of herself. He sees her as a wanton whore who deserves the harshest of punishments, which is death. Boston R.G. In Act 1, scene 3, Desdemona states, ‘I do perceive here a divided duty,’ showing us that she is bound to her father because of the fact that he has educated her and cared for her, but now she is bound to her husband because she has married him and is now answerable to him only. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs. Intriguingly, the deliberate words of Brabantio ‘Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father, and may thee’ re-enforces the prelude to the tragedy. Titles for gossip essay howard university supplemental essays corporate storytelling case study. Othello, on the other hand, moves from a strong, brave and loving soldier and husband to weak, deceitful and hated character. This might spark outrage in some, while it might definitely present a more favourable attitude and feeling in others. This action not only shows the end of the extreme, passionate relationship, but also is the defining fall from grace of Othello that was brought about through Iago’s manipulation of the relationship. we see the contrast in his address from the start of the drama as he begins to mirror Iago’s pick of linguistic communication. These relationships are driven by different motivations and give each individual something unique. Desdemona is very ‘sheltered’ from the ways of the world and Emilia is very ‘down to earth’ and ‘experienced’. Therefore, Othello becomes confused as who to believe, so he shapes his beliefs against the theme of truth and lies. Emilia Desdemona Relationship In the play “Othello”, by William Shakespeare, there are two major feminine figures that attract our attention. The Venetians were racist, which makes it a very unnatural marriage in their eyes. Brabantio knew the marriage between Othello and Desdemona would not last long. We first learn of there being a relationship between Othello and Desdemona when Iago and Roderigo are telling Roderigo (Desdemona's Father), that ''an old black ram is tupping your white ewe''. Throughout Shakespeare’s play, Othello displays that he does not truly love Desdemona through his relationship was based on pity and not true love, the lack of trust Othello had for Desdemona raised false suspicion and Shakespeare’s design to create a tragedy with miscommunication between Othello and Desdemona. Describe the course of Iago's deception of Othello, showing which incidents were planned and which were opportunistic. Having the opposites of appearance versus reality in a play is important, as it helps to show the character of Othello for what he is. When poor unsuspecting Desdemona finds out that Othello is upset over her ‘alleged’ affair with Cassio, the naïve and trusting Desdemona naturally believes that Cassio will clear her name and all will be forgiven. Iago, who is perceived as ‘honest’ is not, while Othello, who ‘thinks men honest that but seem to be so’ sees the pure Desdemona as a slut who is not worthy to live. In this lesson, we take a look at how this relationships evolves throughout the play. The alternate view is also true in that the relationship has many merits, but unfortunately, far too many flaws and obstacles in the path of the relationship from flourishing and growing, rather it died a rather rotten and horrid death. In the end, regardless of his actions, Othello loves Desdemona with all of his heart. The tragic play Othello by William Shakespeare, discusses the relationship between Othello and Desdemona that begins as loving, but abruptly alters to a hateful relationship due to a lack of truth. Features like these can decipher the love between Othello and Desdemona. Similarly, her naivety is seen when she speaks to Emilia and Emilia convinces her that there are indeed women who are deceitful to their husbands. However, what drives Lago to manipulate Othello is the jealousy he harbors towards him. English Literature Registered office: Venture House, Cross Street, Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ. As a result, Iago causes Othello to ultimately questions, Honesty in Shakespeare’s Othello Even those in the play, who are not racist, would find it more natural for Desdemona to be attracted to a younger, white man, similar to herself. Had Othello been more accepting of Desdemona’s love and loyalty to him and had he not been too influenced by the falseness and malice of Iago, then he might have retained his position of eminence and salvaged everything. Their marriage is constantly being put to test. He breaks away from the normal structure of the tragedy by including melodramatic elements which serves as catalysts to cause the controversy to the central morals of the play. This paper focuses on Othello, arguing that the traditional, time in many relationships when you realize that love is not enough to stay together. Explore the representation of at least ONE intense human relationship in Othello, evaluating its significance in the play as a whole. The presentation of different relationships in Othello represents many of the underlying motifs of the play. Society perceives loyalty as the faithfulness in those in relationships and those that have created a certain bond, and honesty as sincere without deceit or untruthfulness. When Iago confirms, ‘for I do know the state …cannot with safety cast him; for his embarked with such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,’ the audience immediately connects with Othello on a military level. Never before this was there any trouble in … From the very outset one is immediately made aware of Shakespeare’s intent for this play. 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