Othello by Shakespeare: Critical Response
Term 3 Assessment Task
Shakespeare, Critical Response Essay
Oliver Perrett 10EW
Although, at first, William Shakespeare's play Othello is difficult to grasp, once it begins to become clearer it is arguably obvious that the themes and ideas of the play are as relevant to present audiences as they are to past. Shakespeare uses the characters of Roderigo and Iago to represent jealousy, which is the driving theme throughout the play. Shakespeare conveys the theme of identity through most characters, but mainly Othello, Cassio and Iago. These themes are just a handful of what make this particular play relevant to modern audiences.
In the play Othello, jealousy is the driving element to the plot of the story. Shakespeare focuses on the dangers of Jealousy and how it can destroy lives and marriages through the forms of professional competition and sexual suspicion. Through the character Iago, his jealousy of Cassio's military position is the source of his hatred for Othello and the fuel for his manipulation of Othello and Desdemona's marriage. This jealousy shown from Iago of Cassio is relevant to modern audiences because it resembles similar situations in today's workforce, therefore easy for modern audiences to relate to. Iago begins to warn Othello of his wife's supposed misdoings with Cassio, 'Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!//It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on' (3.3.170) Iago explains that the man left behind the path of destruction of the 'green eyed monster' will be left embarrassed and shamed. Also, the imagery in this quote paints a helpful picture to understand the meaning of it. And this is not only the theme of jealousy, it is the manipulation of Othello's identity as well. Othello sticks by the fact that he is not easily made jealous, and will not lead a jealous life 'Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy//To follow still the changes of the moon' (3.3.182). This statement by Othello can be related to by modern
Shakespeare, Critical Response Essay
Oliver Perrett 10EW
Although, at first, William Shakespeare's play Othello is difficult to grasp, once it begins to become clearer it is arguably obvious that the themes and ideas of the play are as relevant to present audiences as they are to past. Shakespeare uses the characters of Roderigo and Iago to represent jealousy, which is the driving theme throughout the play. Shakespeare conveys the theme of identity through most characters, but mainly Othello, Cassio and Iago. These themes are just a handful of what make this particular play relevant to modern audiences.
In the play Othello, jealousy is the driving element to the plot of the story. Shakespeare focuses on the dangers of Jealousy and how it can destroy lives and marriages through the forms of professional competition and sexual suspicion. Through the character Iago, his jealousy of Cassio's military position is the source of his hatred for Othello and the fuel for his manipulation of Othello and Desdemona's marriage. This jealousy shown from Iago of Cassio is relevant to modern audiences because it resembles similar situations in today's workforce, therefore easy for modern audiences to relate to. Iago begins to warn Othello of his wife's supposed misdoings with Cassio, 'Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!//It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on' (3.3.170) Iago explains that the man left behind the path of destruction of the 'green eyed monster' will be left embarrassed and shamed. Also, the imagery in this quote paints a helpful picture to understand the meaning of it. And this is not only the theme of jealousy, it is the manipulation of Othello's identity as well. Othello sticks by the fact that he is not easily made jealous, and will not lead a jealous life 'Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy//To follow still the changes of the moon' (3.3.182). This statement by Othello can be related to by modern