How the Protagonists Change in Macbeth and Othello
How can a person become so caught up in what others say and do, that they lose sight of who they really are, and pursue something they’re not? Othello is overcome with jealousy and let’s himself become caught up in suspicion; this is his fatal flaw which leads to his tragic downfall. On the other hand we have Macbeth who lets his life become ruled by ambition and is blind to the damage that this causes. This can only end one way and will bring an end to the horror of Macbeth. These are both plays in which the protagonists are manipulated and both fall victim to their own desires and actions.
When the audience first hears about Othello, we immediately build up our own interpretation of him in our minds. We are given small pieces of his personality bit by bit which leave you wanting to find out more about him. Roderigo and Iago are the first characters to talk about him, however we don’t actually hear is name said until Act 1 scene 2, as they always refer to him as “the general”; this shows he is in a high position with a lot of power. Other names that he is called in the first scene are “thick lips”, “the moorship” and “him” which could suggest that he is not worthy of a name. Othello was from Africa and therefore had a different skin colour. In the play we can see that Othello has acknowledged that he is different and therefore doesn’t let these names affect him, however in the later part of the play you can see he is beginning to believe these names and is convincing himself that Desdemona is cheating on him because he is different and not the typical Venetian man. In Shakespearean times and for many years after, “black” people were looked down upon and were treated harshly; this is a key theme throughout the play and helps the audience feel sympathetic towards Othello.
In Act 1 scene 2 we see Brabantio’s anger developing for Othello and how he lets his personal feelings get in the way of seeing the true love between Othello and Desdemona. Brabantio speaks
When the audience first hears about Othello, we immediately build up our own interpretation of him in our minds. We are given small pieces of his personality bit by bit which leave you wanting to find out more about him. Roderigo and Iago are the first characters to talk about him, however we don’t actually hear is name said until Act 1 scene 2, as they always refer to him as “the general”; this shows he is in a high position with a lot of power. Other names that he is called in the first scene are “thick lips”, “the moorship” and “him” which could suggest that he is not worthy of a name. Othello was from Africa and therefore had a different skin colour. In the play we can see that Othello has acknowledged that he is different and therefore doesn’t let these names affect him, however in the later part of the play you can see he is beginning to believe these names and is convincing himself that Desdemona is cheating on him because he is different and not the typical Venetian man. In Shakespearean times and for many years after, “black” people were looked down upon and were treated harshly; this is a key theme throughout the play and helps the audience feel sympathetic towards Othello.
In Act 1 scene 2 we see Brabantio’s anger developing for Othello and how he lets his personal feelings get in the way of seeing the true love between Othello and Desdemona. Brabantio speaks