How does Shakespeare present conflict in Acts: 1-3?
Throughout the entirety of Shakespeare’s “Othello”, there are many scenes of conflict between the characters and Shakespeare presents these conflicts in a number of different ways. The most notable conflicts are between the main characters: Othello, Iago and Desdemona, among others like Roderigo, Cassio, Brabantio, Emilia and Bianca.
Firstly, one way that Shakespeare presents conflict is making Othello a black person in a European, colour-prejudiced society. This makes room for remarks of racism and discrimination from the other characters that dislike him (Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio). One example of this is Othello repeatedly being referred to as the “Moor” and Iago calling him the “Black Ram” in Act 1: Scene 1: Line 89. These insults cause Othello to be seen as an outsider, which is a factor that is needed for a tragic hero.
Shakespeare also uses the idea of jealousy to present conflict in the play. This is shown by the fact that Othello is a general in the Venetian Army, as this gives way for jealousy from the likes of Iago and Roderigo. Roderigo is also jealous of Othello because he has eloped with Desdemona, whom Roderigo is in love with: “I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen”(Act 1: Scene 3: Line 310). Roderigo is saying he feels like drowning himself because Othello and Desdemona have married each other. This feeling of jealousy also makes Roderigo insult Desdemona by calling her a “guinea-hen” which means “prostitute”.
Another way that Shakespeare presents conflict is by making Iago seem extremely honest and trustworthy towards the other characters. This makes it easy for him to manipulate his comrades and make them believe that anything he says to them is the truth. Shakespeare shows us this in Act 3: Scene 1: Line 39 when Cassio says: “I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest”. This is a very effective piece of dramatic irony used by Shakespeare as the audience know that Iago is the play’s cruel and decieving villain and that he wants to bring Othello and Cassio down.
Shakespeare also gives a number of soliloquys to Iago throughout the course of the play. One of which being at the end of Act 1. It is in this soliloquys that Iago continuously engages with the audience and tells them of his evil plans to bring about Othello’s downfall and as we know he is so very nearly successful: “Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light”
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