Overcoming the Inner Savage: An Assessment of the Role of Civilization in Savagery
Both Agricola and Othello live within modern advanced civilizations of their time and as such are called to uphold the societal expectations required within advanced societies. Their drastic differences from the norm of their civilizations, as well as their positions of power leads to an intriguing exploration of the true nature of societies and civilizations. Those who are different are not typically embraced within society and are usually seen as outsiders, however despite their obvious differences these two men were still seen as insiders because of their power and the many benefits they provide to society in these positions of power. The exploration and understanding
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Maneuvering expectations of society is no easy task, especially as a person in power, as power often has the tendency to corrupt. Both Agricola and Othello had to maneuver these expectations, however the ways in which they did so pointed to deeper revelations about the true natures of civilizations and the role power and influence play in them. Agricola appears to contain a much deeper insight and wisdom than most within his Roman civilization, and because of this is quite successfully able to navigate and maneuver the expectations of society with great ease. He is often recalled and remembered fondly as having been a great, most honorable leader. He was very involved and engaged in civilization as seen through his many leadership roles. However Agricola was drastically different from majority of other leaders in civilizations including Shakespeare's Othello. The major difference being his advanced knowledge and about society that prevented him from becoming enslaved by it. Civilization despite the image it strives to portray is not actually a society of …show more content…
Having the potential for more power and fame ripped away from one, when it is this very power that reinforces their place in society is understandably upsetting, and in most cases is highly likely to trigger savagery. Agricola and Othello both handled their recalls in very different ways, leading to very different outcomes. Throughout his life Agricola had continually worked his way up through the ranks gaining power as he went. However his humility and wisdom acted as a shield to the corruption that fame and power often come with. Handling this power with such grace and goodness reinforced his success as a leader which led to more power and opportunities. Because Othello was initially an outsider, and is often still percieved in this way, as seen throughout the racist undetones throughout “Othello” his status as an insider and his power appears to be very delicate and as such he is very apparently insecure. His military skill and power acted as a benefit to the Venetian army, and as such, he was able to use this power as social currency to pay his price into society. When he is recalled back to Venice with Cassio set to take his place, the fear of losing his position and power triggers the savagery within him. This savagery is aparent when he strikes Desdemona. At this point it is very apparent how civilization is innately savage and indeed brings out
Both protagonists, Othello and Gatsby are outsiders entering an ordered society. Othello, “the Moor”, has a very important role as a military and public servant for the
Set in 16th century Venice, Othello, by William Shakespeare, explores the idea of an outsider from the very beginning of the play. Shakespeare uses Othello, a black army general, to explore the relationship of an outsider in high Venetian society using a variety of approaches. The reader sees characters consistently referring to Othello in derogatory and demeaning terms, as well as frequent implications that Othello is scarcely human. Further exploration of an outsider in society comes from Othello himself, as he outlines a few of the major differences that set him and the community apart.
In the Tragedy of Othello, by William Shakespeare, a great injustice is done to the main character, Othello the Moor. Othello is manipulated by the villain Iago to satiate Iago’s need for control and his desire for revenge. Othello the General has promoted another, Cassio, to hold the position that Iago feels he deserves. For the injustice that Iago feels has been committed against him, he brings about the destruction of Othello and his wife, Desdemona, using Cassio as his tool for doing so.
The source of confusion and violence stems from Shakespeare’s Machiavellian character, Iago. There is no room for coincidences in the play, almost all the circumstances surrounding Othello’s downfall from a noble clearheaded solider to a susceptible rage filled avenger, originate from the ever manipulative Iago and his own thirst for revenge. Iago drives in the nail at every chance he gets, he exploits every ounce of doubt Othello holds. Iago makes use of a simple handkerchief and friendship to instill the seed of suspicion and eventually provide the supposed concrete evidence of weak fidelity. Othello is too trusting of “honest” Iago and holds too little appreciation for himself, an easy prey to insecurities. Othello’s self confidence dwindles are he considers himself an old black man, not enticing enough for a young wife of the upper class and so it’s easy to believe that she would betray him. Othello becomes wild with jealousy and self-doubt at the false realization that Cassio must be sleeping with Desdemona.
Othello by William Shakespeare raises the issue of how rampant beliefs and attitudes in a society can cause a person to question their sense of self. In a society where racial equality is near non-existent, Othello, a black skinned foreigner in the Venetian society, is constantly reminded of his status as an outsider. Othello, however, is not depicted in a stereotypical manner and despite occupying a highly respected position he is often confronted with blatant racism throughout the play. The prevailing attitudes and beliefs of Venetian society towards Othello are exploited by Iago in order to manipulate Othello’s self confidence and emotional state.
When pairs of texts are considered together, their universal themes and ideas lead to greater understanding, appreciation and insight of both the old and the new. The texts Othello, William Shakespeare (1600) and Othello, Geoffrey Sax (2001), ring true for this statement. Despite the differing contexts and ages, the universal themes of racism and betrayal bring new meaning to each of the texts. The primary meaning from the juxtaposition of the two is that of the human condition, and how the problems faced in the 17th century are faced in modern times.
Contextually it is important to understand how women are presented as tragic victims of men in ‘Othello’. Contemporary views of women were, according to Sir Thomas Elyot “to be mild, timorous, tractable, benign, of sure remembrance, and shamefast.” Conversely men were seen to be “fierce, strong in opinion, covetous of glory, desirous of knowledge, appetiting by generation to bring for his semblable.” Elyot’s views of the contemporary man, though much grander than those of women, could prove to be their downfall in ‘Othello’. Shakespeare’s protagonist’s downfall could be based on the fact that he is desirous of knowledge, and Iago’s manipulation of Othello’s trustworthy nature suggests that not only are women the tragic victims of men, but it is men who are also victims of men.
Shakespeare 's complex play Othello holds numerous pressing issues within its intricate layers that seem to leap out to modern society. One such issue seen by many is the representation of women. Women within the play can be characterized as submissive possessions and temptresses. This ideology, though commonplace in this time period, appears controversial to the modern eye as we deconstruct the characters of this play. This dominate patriarchal society present within the setting merely conditions this belief further as it is prevalent within the characters dialogue.
“Othello” is a Shakespearian tragedy set in sixteenth century Venice during the Turkish and Venetian Wars. The story follows the powerful Moor of Venice, Othello, and his tragic moral, military and marital downfall due to the corruption instigated by his jealous ancient, Iago. Throughout the play, the themes of womanhood, appearance versus reality, as well as prejudice in identity are explored. Further, contemporary responders can extract individual meaning through applying the literary criticisms.
Othello is the Cultural Other in Venetian society, and while he is very learned, it is probable that
Only by considering a range of perspectives can we truly appreciate the world of Shakespeare’s Othello. It is through my exploration of these perspectives and their relationship with changing morals and values that has enriched my understanding of the play. One such reading of the play challenges the marginalisation and objectification of woman in a patriarchal Venetian society, while taking into account the changing role of women in modern society. Another interpretation of Othello examines its post colonial elements through the protagonist Othello, and his insecurities of being a black man in a white society. My interpretation of the play as a portrayal of the values existing in Shakespeare’s time is filtered through these
The Shakespearean tragedy Othello contains a number of themes; their relative importance and priority is debated by literary critics. In this essay let us examine the various themes and determine which are dominant and which subordinate.
In the play Othello written by Shakespeare, the issue of racism is addressed. Othello, the protagonist of the play, is African American or black. “According to Lois Whitney, many of Othello’s specific attributes probably derive from Shakespeare’s reading of Leo Africanus, whose Geographical Historie of Africa which was translated and published in London in 1600”(Berry, 1990). Many critics have different views on this. “If Shakespeare depended upon Leo Africanus for such details, he must have been much more interested in racial psychology than critics such as Bradley or Heilman suggest”(Berry, 1990). One of the most prominent features of this Shakespeare play is the
In William Shakespeare’s “Othello”, the main character is presented as an admirable leader but a poor rationalist. He is recognized as a hero with the qualities of vigor, charm, and eloquence. However these principles of leadership aren’t always viewed as the criteria for a leader. The battleground is, to Othello at least, is depicted as a place of admiration, where men speak truthfully to one another. Also, the given circumstances of state and warfare are rather straightforward; no one deceives Othello because as leader he should be esteemed. This one-dimensional view does not help him in issues of the heart though. Thus the main assessment of Othello must be that, even though he leads well and means well, he lacks sensible judgment and
Among Aristotle's terms in depicting terms in his model of human characteristics is hamartia. Hamartia is when one's flaw or weakness is his or her error or transgression. In William Shakespeare's "Othello," Othello's hamartia is the misconception he has "of himself as being uncouth, poorly spoken, and old; and because he begins to believe that his fair wife, Desdemona, cannot love him, he starts to believe that she is guilty of infidelity. "(classicnote).