Consider how Shakespeare’s themes of prejudice and chaos versus order were received by his contemporary audience. How does Geoffrey Sax’s production continue to find relevance in these issues for the modern audience? Othello is a play of tragedy; that examines the darker aspects of human existence‚ and forces us as audience to contemplate what it is to be human. Shakespeare privileges and challenges the Elizabethan attitudes and values towards the prejudices of race and gender while also presenting
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Mina Al Azawi Ms. Kourniotis ENG3U1-09 April 16‚ 2012 The Power of Misrepresentation “Reality is merely an illusion‚ albeit a very persistent one” (Einstein). Basing a judgment on appearance is rarely the correct assumption about the individual. Not everyone is what he or she appear‚ or even claim to be. Appearance versus reality is one of the major themes in Othello. Shakespeare uses many literary devices throughout his play to develop this theme. Iago is known for being honest and loyal
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Question: Ultimately‚ in this Shakespearean drama‚ it is the representation of intense human relationships that captivates audiences. Explore the representation of at least ONE intense human relationship in Othello‚ evaluating its significance in the play as a whole. Othello is an Elizabethan Shakespearean tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the early seventeenth century. The play is constructed to evocativelythe sixteen hundreds. contrast (through setting‚ staging and language) the social
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The modern definition of a tragedy is any serious accident‚ crime‚ disaster‚ or great misfortune (“tragedy‚ 2009). However in order to classify a play as a tragedy‚ the more formal definition constructed by Aristotle in the 4th century B.C. must be used. Aristotle defined a tragedy as “an imitation of an action of high importance‚ complete and of some amplitude; in language enhanced by distinct and varying beauties; acted not narrated; by means of pity and fear effecting its purgation of these
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Even now‚ now‚ very now an old black ram is tupping your white yew.’ Iago is using imagery to bring home what he is saying to Brabantio. He describes Othello as an old‚ black ram. He emphasises that Othello is older than Desdemona and is black; Iago’s using imagery to spark off a sense of protection in Brabantio. The use of beastial imagery repulses Brabantio and the audience‚ making the pain in Brabantio’s breast sharper and Iago’s words carry with greatter effect. Iago also uses a tricolon
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Venetian society‚ directly addresses Othello’s rising above his prejudice by saying to Brabantio‚ “If virtue no delighted beauty lack‚ Your son-in-law is far more fair than black” (Act 1.3.290-291). In this same situation we see Othello himself meeting these serious allegations of witchcraft with a remarkably calm and tactful manner‚ the way a hero should perform in a stressful situation. When he is approached by Brabantio and a group of high-ranking officers with drawn swords and flaming torches‚ he calmly
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and Senators are choosing the best warrior to defend their country: ‘Valiant Othello‚ we must straight employ you/ Against the general enemy Ottoman.’ That makes Othello gain the power and confidence from his services in front of the state. When Brabantio‚ Desdemona’s father‚ comes with his people to fight Othello on the grounds of witch crafting his daughter‚ ‘the noble Moor’ reacts very calmly: "Hold your hands‚ both of you of my inclining and the rest./Were it my cue to fight‚ I should have known
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A tragic hero is characterized in literature as a great and honourable person whose life takes a monumental downfall because of their fatal flaw. By Aristotle’s definition‚ a tragic hero is “a man who is neither a paragon of virtue and justice nor undergoes the change to misfortune through any real badness or wickedness but because of some mistake” (Aristotle‚ 38). In Shakespeare’s play‚ both Othello and Desdemona fit well within these guidelines. Othello is a well-revered general who is called to
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’Othello is the principal agent of his own downfall’. Discuss this statement. Othello is undoubtedly unfortunate to encounter a villian such as Iago‚ whose ingenuity and wicked nature enable him to manipulate a range of characters with a simplicity that comes natural to him. However‚ while the cunning and deceptive nature of Iago plays a central role in Othello’s downfall‚ such a spectacular tragedy would not have been possible without the primary flaws that the Moor possesses. Iago’s success is
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Do you think that justice and revenge are the most important themes in Othello? Is there another underlying theme that you consider even more important? I argue that justice and revenge are not the dominate over arching themes in Othello. I believe jealousy is the most important theme. Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello focuses on the downfall of military General Othello whose happiness at his marriage to Desdemona is quickly consumed by jealousy. The love of Othello and Desdemona are tragically torn
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