Othello Entry Point Essay
Essay 2 – Spring Term
The importance of how Shakespeare begins his play Othello, and what actually happens during the first two scenes?
In this essay my main aim is to investigate how William Shakespeare opens his play Othello written around 1603, and look at the important events of what happens between the first two scenes. I will first focus on some background information that influenced the plays setting, then investigate the ‘entry point’ into the; plays action, plot structure and character relationships. I will also comment on the ‘decision making’ in terms of ‘themes and intentions’ that Shakespeare had in store for his audiences.
The setting and background information for [1]Othello is located in Venice and Cyprus between 1489 …show more content…
He introduces; traits for the main characters through conversation, themes of discrimination, love, and deception. Shakespeare foreshadows the action of the play, driven by the hatred and revenge of Iago, as a theatrical device suggesting to the audience developments to come later. During the second scene the audience establish that Iago is all things to all men. To Othello he is his faithful servant. To Roderigo he is a loyal friend who has done all in his power to help him in his suit for Desdemona. To Cassio he will be an inferior and offer good advice later in the play. He is indeed a complex character and the audience are shocked over his two-faced scheming behaviour. We now see clearly Othello’s status in Venice and it is evident that he is highly regarded by the Duke and that the future safety of the Venetian colonies depends on Othello and the Duke urgently needs his help with the impending invasion of Cyprus by the Turks lurking. The audience has to decide whether Brabantio’s objection to Othello is purely due to his race and not suitable for his daughter. I believe that Shakespeare makes this key character a black Moor, as the Jacobean society (1603–1625) during Shakespeare’s lifetime were prejudice towards the immigration of ‘Blackamoors’ into England. Shakespeare in his ‘decision making’ tries to educate the insular audience, showing them the nobility and courage of Othello. We also learn much about Desdemona and how she broke convention in showing great courage in following her heart and true love for Othello, despite the views and consequences of public
The importance of how Shakespeare begins his play Othello, and what actually happens during the first two scenes?
In this essay my main aim is to investigate how William Shakespeare opens his play Othello written around 1603, and look at the important events of what happens between the first two scenes. I will first focus on some background information that influenced the plays setting, then investigate the ‘entry point’ into the; plays action, plot structure and character relationships. I will also comment on the ‘decision making’ in terms of ‘themes and intentions’ that Shakespeare had in store for his audiences.
The setting and background information for [1]Othello is located in Venice and Cyprus between 1489 …show more content…
He introduces; traits for the main characters through conversation, themes of discrimination, love, and deception. Shakespeare foreshadows the action of the play, driven by the hatred and revenge of Iago, as a theatrical device suggesting to the audience developments to come later. During the second scene the audience establish that Iago is all things to all men. To Othello he is his faithful servant. To Roderigo he is a loyal friend who has done all in his power to help him in his suit for Desdemona. To Cassio he will be an inferior and offer good advice later in the play. He is indeed a complex character and the audience are shocked over his two-faced scheming behaviour. We now see clearly Othello’s status in Venice and it is evident that he is highly regarded by the Duke and that the future safety of the Venetian colonies depends on Othello and the Duke urgently needs his help with the impending invasion of Cyprus by the Turks lurking. The audience has to decide whether Brabantio’s objection to Othello is purely due to his race and not suitable for his daughter. I believe that Shakespeare makes this key character a black Moor, as the Jacobean society (1603–1625) during Shakespeare’s lifetime were prejudice towards the immigration of ‘Blackamoors’ into England. Shakespeare in his ‘decision making’ tries to educate the insular audience, showing them the nobility and courage of Othello. We also learn much about Desdemona and how she broke convention in showing great courage in following her heart and true love for Othello, despite the views and consequences of public