Examples Of Juxtaposition In Othello

Othello is introduced as a noble Venetian general who has power and influence. Othello is one of the first African American tragic heroes introduced during the Shakespearean time. Although Othello is depicted as a great Venetian warrior throughout the play, his counterparts are not discrete when it comes to racial degradation. His inability to endure racial slurs allows him to become self-conscious and insecure and because of the repetitive racial slurs, Othello starts to believe that he is racially inferior to his white counterparts, and his insecurities over power him with jealousy and rage, ultimately ruining his life.

As a character, Othello is tough, noble, and virtually fearless. He is recognized for his hard work as a soldier but at the same time manages to remain humble. Shakespeare makes him out to be a hero from the start of the play. For example, in Act One, Othello says, “Let him do his spite./ My services which I have done the signiory/ Shall out-tongue his complaints” (1.2.17-19). I think that this quote displays that Othello is confident enough with his value and importance to the city of Venice that he really is fearless of getting in trouble for marrying the one he loves, Desdemona. As the play progresses, Othello’s humility comes to the surface via the words he elects to use in order to explain his marriage to Desdemona. In Act One, Scene

The tragedy of Othello, written by William Shakespeare, presents the main character Othello, as a respectable, honorable, and dignified man, but because of his insecurities and good nature, he is easily taken advantage of and manipulated by his peers and alleged friends. The dynamic of Othello’s character significantly changes throughout the play. The contrast is most pronounced from the beginning of the play to its conclusion, switching from being calm and peaceful to acts of uncontrolled venomous rage. Othello’s motivation in the play appears to be his love and concern for his wife Desdemona, which ironically, ends up being his downfall in the end.

These instances heighten his nobility as a character. He is in great demand by the duke and senate due to his honorable qualities. This is evidenced by Cassio's comment that the senate "sent about three several quests" to look for Othello (I.ii.46). Othello is a noble man who is well known and respected for his position as a general. He is experienced in battle and shows great courage and demonstrates high levels of dignity. Othello shows immense respect for his fellow man, we see this in his initial relationships with Casio an Iago. Othello's valiant personality is a major part of his success in the military as well as with his marriage, to Desdemona. Because of his exotic qualities, he is able to woo his wife in an art of story telling, reflecting his nobility and honor. Such a storey seduces Desdemona, causing a strong bind to Othello made from a mixture of love and lust. The Venetian government trusts Othello enough to put him in full martial and political command of Cyprus; indeed, in his dying speech, Othello reminds the Venetians of the "service" he has done their state (V.ii.348). However noble or revered by his peers Othello may be, it is his honor, aided by his naivety and insecurity that lead to his destruction.

Othello or The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare is a tragedy of race. Shakespeare creates a hero who does not fall under a racist stereotype, Othello is a nobleman, a decorated soldier, very well respected by his men (with the exception of Iago). One of the few characteristics that harms, rather than helps him, is that he is dark-skinned in a society utterly dominated by men prejudiced against those with dark skin. At the start of the play, he appears confident that, "My parts, my title, and my perfect soul / Shall manifest me rightly." (Shakespeare, 1, 2, 36-37) But Iago makes sure to use Othello's race against him as much as possible. As a brave soldier from Africa and recently instated supreme commander of the Venetian army, Shakespeare still allows Othello to succumb to the subtle racism that surrounds him. Most of it comes forward through the dialog, and is directed toward Othello. Shakespeare makes no effort to hide this colorful language, nearly every character uses a racial slur to insult Othello at some point in the play. Even Emilia, who doesn’t trust her own husband, sinks to the level of insulting Othello based on the color of his skin. Though the main character to make racist remarks in Othello is Iago, making him a representation of white supremacy. The effect of racism on Othello is quite evident and is one of the main causes of his insecurity about his marriage. These black stereotypes show up in the play and lead to the problem with trying to produce

Another term frequently used to describe Othello,“Moor,” (or “the Moor,” “his Moorship,” etc.) derived from the race of the general, is a label that clearly sets Othello apart from the white Venetians he keeps company with. Although some use it and mean no harm, when said by the likes of Iago and Brabantio, “the Moor,” turns into a racist slur, deliberately used to undermine and ostracize Othello from society. Likewise, depictions such a

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.

Interestingly the same Othello, who was previously a favourite of Brabantio and he along with Desdemona had diner so many times with him, now becomes unacceptable to him when he dares to marry his daughter. Othello is shown that he is not fully acceptable in society. His services as a general is needed and indeed lauded, but still he is not acceptable as a son-in-law. So the matter becomes an issue in the Venetian council chamber where the Duke and the other senators are preparing for war against the Turks. There Othello speaks eloquently of his love for Desdemona and she speaks on his behalf, and the Duke exonerates Othello. But in doing so, the Duke obliquely denigrates Othello because of his race- apparently unintentionally in a Freudian slip- telling Brabantio “Your son-in-law is more fair than black” (ibid 1.3. 291) implying that fairness is indeed superior to

Othello is described as “Valiant Othello” (1.3.49) by the Duke before he even notices Brabantio, highlighting the respect that the Duke grants Othello as a necessary military fixture at the battle of Cyrus. “Opinion, a more sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you” (1.3.224-226), said by the Duke in convincing Othello to head to Cyprus to defend it. This further emphasizes the high regard the Duke has of Othello, convinced that Othello is a great leader who is needed at the heart of the battle. However, as Othello begins to believe that Desdemona cheated on him, the divide between military general and a husband to Desdemona start dissolve as Othello is seen to be speaking of Desdemona as a soldier on the field “Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light: If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, I can again thy former light restore” (5.2.6-9), showing how confused Othello has become to refer to his wife in most unloving ways when he used to speak about her in the most highest regards “His unkindness may taint my life/But never taint my love” (4.2.159-160). Showing how the lines between his public life and personal life has blurred, causing the audience to know how much Othello has

With the case of Othello in Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice, Othello makes many major decisions that influence his future, and the future of those around him, for the worse. However, examining the context in which the decisions were made helps readers better analyze Othello’s morality. There are three major components that affect the morality of Othello’s decisions: his experiences, his core values, and the people he surrounds himself with. In the end, the Moor would have been more successful in the morally challenging situations he was faced with if he refrained from his military habits of acting swiftly before considering all sides of the

    Othello’s speech to Brabantio and the Duke in Act 1, Scene 3 is of major importance in describing Othello’s personality. This long speech, found in lines 149 to 196, shows Othello for the first time as a person with depth and less as a soldier. This speech is important to the book as a whole because it is a testimony to the strength of the love between Othello and Desdemona, which will later play a major role in the plot. It is also one of the first times that we see Othello trying to influence his audience with his words. The speech given by Othello is intended to convince Brabantio that Desdemona is with him willfully, and not by “spells and medicines bought of montebanks” (line 74).

One of the main oppositions that are presented in this act in the difference in the characters of Othello and Brabantio. Brabantio is angry at Othello for marrying his daughter behind his back and shows it through his harsh and unthoughtful words. He genuinely believes that it is completely impossible for Desdemona to truly love Othello as he is of a different skin color, and accuses him of witchcraft: “O thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter? / Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!” (1.2.61-32) Here, Brabantio’s frantic language gives off the tone of dread and anxiety, and shows him as a gullible character who easily jumps to conclusions. On the other hand, Othello’s language proves him very calm and collected and also

William Shakespeare presents the character Othello as an excellent leader in the play, Othello. The hero has strength, charisma, and eloquence. Yet Othello cannot reason. The battlefield and Senate are, at least in Othello, depicted as places of honor, where men speak truly. In addition, the matters of war and state are relatively simple; no one lies to Othello, all seem to respect him. He never even has to fight in the play, with the enemy disappearing by themselves. This simplistic view does not help him in matters of the heart. His marriage is based on tall tales and pity and his friendships are never examined; he thinks that anyone who knows him love him. Thus the ultimate evaluation of

Othello is one of the Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy which illustrates a tragic downfall of a black protagonist, Othello. Although in the play, Othello is a socially secured man working as a military general, his social status seems to be cancelled out by his colour. In the society of Venice, Othello is referred to as an outsider not only because of his cultural difference but also his colour, Therefore, in the play, Othello is depicted as a victim of racism even though he himself does not seem to acknowledge that he is victimised because of racism.

Othello is a military hero, widely respected and admired by most. Even his enemies have a grudging respect for him. He has taken the loveliest lady as his bride, and has a seemingly great life. He is seen as a very good man, as proven by the words of the Duke of Venice: “..If virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son in law is far more fair than black.”(Page 47, Line 285-286). Despite all this, Othello does have a fatal