Othello offers nothing of value to the modern audience. Do you agree?

Question: Othello offers nothing of value to the modern audience. Do you agree?

Complex themes of jealousy, rejection and revenge are universal due to their ability to relate and remain relevant to audiences. Such themes are explored through William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello where characters are all confronted and invariably challenged with such universal themes that essentially form the ingredients to this tragedy. Throughout the play, issues regarding sexism and racism come to light by examining the character interactions that offer modern audiences insight into these issues as they remain relevant throughout time.

Othello’s exploration of universal themes and values highlights it’s value as a text due to it’s ability to give audiences an examination of human nature and it’s flaws. Such ideas are portrayed through the tragic hero’s fatal flaw of jealousy. Within the first half of the tragedy, Othello is presented as a man of dignity who exhibits calm qualities through his assertive tone in, “Good signior, you shall more command with years than with your weapons” which spans the lines 63 to 65 in Act I Scene II, demonstrates his ability of grasping logical thought in a threatening situation. As the play progresses, Shakespeare utilizes dramatic irony to hinder Othello’s change in temperament and train of thought through Iago’s treason, which is analogous to ‘poison’. Essentially, this sets us up to empathize with Othello as he unconsciously becomes entrapped in Iago’s diabolic plans whereby we witness his desire for revenge and murder to the extent that Othello cries, “I will chop her into messes”, a threat in which he will later regret. By examining Othello’s drastic transformation from a nobleman to a madman, Shakespeare successfully explores the devastating consequences that emerge when the human emotion of jealousy overcomes reason that will ensure it’s value to the modern audience.

Moreover, Shakespeare explores the complex themes of revenge and rejection by illustrating both as the toxic ingredients in this tragedy. Within Othello, Iago immediately makes it very clear to the audiences that he holds no love for the Moor due to him being passed over his promotion of lieutenancy to Cassio. In addition, Roderigo becomes a victim of rejection when Brabantio warns him “not to haunt about my doors… my daughter is not for thee” (I.I.96-98) as it accentuates Brabantio’s rejection of Roderigo as a candidate for his daughter. Here, Shakespeare offers a parallel between the two situations of denial of these characters that leads to their vows of revenge as both rejection and revenge essentially sets the motion of this tragedy. Thus, Othello’s integration of both rejection and revenge offers audiences insights to the tragic and devastating consequences due to the relevancy of both themes to the audiences.

Othello’s ability to integrate the concept of racial prejudices has enabled it to transcend time due to the issue remaining prominent today. In the play, both Roderigo and Iago bring their racist attitudes to light when they refer to Othello as “an old black ram”, “the lascivious Moor” and “thick-lips” all within the first scene. These defamatory racist attitudes, identified in conversations throughout the play mostly contrasts Othello to animals and beasts as racism becomes prominent. Essentially, the surface of the racial prejudices within the play offers modern audiences insight into the issue as it continues to exist within our contemporary society.

Similarly, the text has since endured time due to it’s exploration of prominent issues regarding sexism through the characters. Within Othello, Iago’s discrimination is highlighted through the repetition of ‘thieves’ in Act I Scene I, “Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves!
Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!
Thieves! thieves!” suggesting that Desdemona is her father’s property and that she had been ‘stolen’ from him when she eloped with Othello. Shakespeare further portrays Desdemona as a victim of sexism most prominently in Act 4 Scene 3, “Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve” whereby despite her virtues, Desdemona’s lack of voice throughout the play underlines the expectations of a submissive women to worship men and the obedience to comply to their wishes. As a result, Shakespeare’s continual sexism is conveyed through the characters as the universal issue remains relevant throughout time.

By examining the fundamental concepts of jealousy, rejection and revenge within Othello , audiences empathize and gain further insights on the tragic consequences of these themes due to their ability to overcome reason conveyed through the characters. Moreover, the plays integration of prominent issues such as racism and sexism has enabled it to endure and transcend time as such issues become relevant to our modern society.