Macbeth (1606). Shakespeare is appreciated for the ways in which he beautifully and poignantly expresses the dilemmas at the core of human existence.
Brief synopsis
The Moor, Othello, is a respected leader in the Venetian army. The play opens with news of his elopement with Desdemona, the daughter of Senator Brabantio. Othello is posted to Cyprus to fight the Turks. Whilst there, his flag bearer, Iago, hatches a plot to ruin his master’s marriage and career. Among other motives, Iago is driven by jealousy that Cassio is appointed Othello’s lieutenant ahead of him. Iago thus persuades Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Plagued by jealousy, Othello kills Desdemona, and then kills himself once it is revealed that she was innocent of the accusation of adultery.
Background & context
Venice
The play begins in the city-state of Venice, in what is now known as Italy. Venice was a powerful merchant republic ruled by nobles, rather than by royalty or a religious leader. From the point of view of Shakespeare’s English audience, the Venetians were mistrusted due to what was perceived as their mercantile self-interest and lust for power. Iago’s remark that Venetians are
‘super-subtle’ is not far from how Shakespeare’s audience would have seen them. Cassio, who is so maliciously wronged by Iago, is a Florentine – a background which distances him from the manipulative ways of the Venetian Iago.
Cyprus
From Act II onwards, the play moves to Cyprus. It is significant that this Act begins with a violent storm at sea. The storm fortuitously devastates the Turkish fleet, but also symbolically signals the chaos and tragedy that is unleashed amongst the Venetians in Cyprus: Cassio gets drunk and fights, Desdemona is (falsely) thought to lose control of her own desires, and Othello’s violent side comes to the fore.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
The setting of the play takes place in the city of Messina a very, very long time ago. They refer to a war in the play and some characters even carry guns, so the time had to be probably around the Spanish Wars. The topic…
- 248 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Iago stands a typical Machiavellian antagonist of Shakespeare’s, however his motives for revenge are distinctly complex, with the line of envy and justified hatred indistinguishably blurred. His cunning scenarios and therefore his motives for such, stem from wounded pride in relation to Cassio’s promotion over his own, “One Michael Cassio… That never set a squadron in the field”, underlying suspicion over Othello and wife Emilia’s relationship “Till I am evened with him wife for wife”, and personal injustice, “Preferment goes by letter and affection”, expressing his disgust towards Othello’s favoritism of Cassio. Iago’s motivation for revenge upon Othello and Cassio is spurred by an egotistical and superior attitude; “Heaven is my judge” suggesting that he believes only God, a power recognized as the highest judgmental authority is worthy of judging his unjust actions. This superior attitude eventually contributes to his demise.…
- 1063 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Director Nicholas Hytner has dragged Shakespeare's renaissance tragedy into the 21st Century with a contemporary, gritty setting, while still maintaining a rigorous attention to clarity of language. Venice in the opening scenes is a non-descript place and it is only with the departure to Cyprus that the military aesthetic of the production comes to full fruition. Most of the action takes place in the middle of the night, under disorientating arc lights or inside sterile pre-fab army command buildings. Helicopters whir overhead. The sets slide and advance like tanks. Shadowy and devoid of bright colours, the production helped to focus attention on the tense drama that unfolded on stage, and made Shakespeare seem fresh and accessible.…
- 585 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Othello is the almighty, respected, and victorious General of the Venetian forces, but finds himself defeated in his most important battle. Othello past triumphs are proof of his strength and reputation, “For since these arms of mine had seven years’ pith” (Act I, Scene 3). Othello loyalty to the people of Venice is shown throughout the play, and the trust he…
- 1236 Words
- 4 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Iago craves getting revenge and taking what he believes is rightfully his and will do anything he has to in order to achieve those goals. Iago wants to take “revenge/ For that I do suspect the lusty Moor/ Hath leap’d into my seat” (2.2 283-85) not because he wishes to cause chaos. He also seeks to take the lieutenant spot away from Cassio because he’s proven himself to be a strong soldier in battle, but he’s achievements have been “lee’d and calm’d/ By debitor and creditor; this counter-caster” (1.1 30-31). Iago’s poor self-esteem leaves him jealous of Othello’s achievements and Cassio’s looks and status, while also leaving him very doubtful and ungrateful for the things he does have. He suspects that his wife has cheated on him without any actual proof and treats her with an aloof behavior, while Othello and Desdemona have a very happy and loving marriage. In comparison to Cassio, Iago is not seen as very good looking or much of a scholar. Iago performs all of his deeds to satisfy his jealousy and self-esteem because he’s surrounded by people who are far more accomplished than he…
- 933 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Cited: Shakespeare, William, and Alvin B. Kernan. The tragedy of Othello; the Moor of Venice.. New York: New American Library, 1963. Print.…
- 728 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In James Joyce’s “Araby and Ian McEwan’s Atonement both authors express that that the characters mature and grow through quests. In Joyce’s “Araby” the boy goes on a quest to the bazaar to meet Managan’s sisters whom he is very interested in. However, because he is a young boy and does not leave his much, and has no source of income there are limitations on his freedom, which ultimately affect his quest. In McEwan’s Atonement Briony goes through a life near long quest in an attempt to repair the damage in which she inflicted on her sister Cecelia, Robbie and her family. However, similar to the predicament the boy from Joyce’s “Araby” goes through, Briony is never able to formally make amends between Cecelia and Robbie because both died in the war.…
- 948 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
This is a superior example of appearance versus reality. Igo is evidently the cause of tragic conflict because he believes he was treated unfairly by Othello which sparked his anger. “Iago claims to Roderigo that his hatred of Othello is based on the general having unfairly promoted Cassio to lieutenant when Iago was the one who merited the post, since he has seniority.” (Iago, Secondary Source) We see here by the occurrence of this event, Iago makes a choice to destroy Othello. Iago’s decisions on how he deals with his feelings shows us readers that he has very little self control his feelings of envy and hatred for Othello consume his…
- 977 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
The play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare is set in the late sixteenth century. Most scenes take place in the grounds of the Danish castle at Elsinore. The story begins almost immediately with a brief yet abrupt five scene act entailing the state of affairs within the Court of Denmark. Each scene contributes to the overall exposition significantly and Act One effectively captures the interest of the audience, introduces the key characters, establishes the conflicts and creates and maintains the dominant atmosphere of the play.…
- 2122 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Iago, of the epic "Othello", is a very cultured and competent villain; so much that one could say Iago is the most fearsome villain in all of Shakespeare. Iago has no remorse or sympathy for his actions or the consequences they entail. Othello, the Moor which Iago's crosshairs have set aim on, is a veteran of the Venetian Cyprus Wars as well as other battlefields which have given him unparalleled credit as a soldier. Othello has promoted Cassio to a position that Iago saught after; in spite of Iago's war experience and recommendations, Othello had already came to a decision. Iago begins to ferment in vengeance. As his need for revenge grows, his threshold for motive decreases. A self-centered and aggressive manipulator, Iago's motives lack proper conviction. This man is characterized as a user of men, a self centered man who only entertains his peers ( or superiors) for sport or profit. He is a jealous man, who lacks patience when provoked. Above all his empathy and connoisseurship in the classical art of manipulation make him an ultimate puppet master. Coupled with a slight provoke from the Devi,l Othello; Iago has found plenty cause to hate Othello as he hates hell pains.…
- 728 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The original title of the play was ‘The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice’, which brings attention…
- 838 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
How does Act 1 Scene 1 succeed in arresting the audience’s attention and provide the exposition to the play?…
- 896 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
whole plot of the work is based upon the Hamlet,s love for his father King Hamlet. Son avenges…
- 786 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Cited: Shakespeare, William. "Othello: The Moor of Venice" The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford, 2012. 1187-1267. Print…
- 1295 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Othello begins on a street in Venice, in the middle of an argument at night between Roderigo and Iago. This has an impact on the audience…
- 2954 Words
- 12 Pages
Powerful Essays