Nobility can be defined as having the “nobleness of mind, character, or spirit; exalted moral excellence” and the tragic hero, Othello, is characterized as noble throughout the play and this nobility is especially seen in his own account of himself in his speeches - and actions - as well as other characters' descriptions of him. Almost immediately we see Othello's noble nature through other characters willingness to see him as blameless and noble, even when he marries Desdemona without her fathers permission. The other characters are more concerned with Othello's military status and how he will deal with the impending attack upon Cyprus, they refer to him as "Valiant Othello." When it becomes discernible that Desdemona truly loves Othello, they forget the issue all together, despite Brabantio's complaints and objections. Shakespeare establishes the nobility of Othello in Act 1 Scene 2 through his actions as well as his words. …show more content…
The senators refer to him as the "Brave Moor," it can also be seen that Othello is often denigrated for being of a darker complexion, yet as he departs the court, the Duke gives him a sort of advocacy as he tells Brabantio "Your son-in-law is far more fair than black." The nobility of Othello can also be seen through his own account of himself before the Senate in Act 1 Scene 3," Of hairbreadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach, of being taken by the insolent foe, and sold to slavery, of my redemption thence." Here his own account of his perseverance and bravery makes us see him as a noble, valiant, dignified figure. Othello's nobility can also be seen in Act 2 Scene 1, as in this scene Othello's gains almost immediate attention and respect from the moment he steps foot into Cyprus, and this respect can be seen through the speech of other characters. For example Othello is referred as, "Brave Othello," and "Warlike Moor
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 relationship of an outsider to society is also explored through Othello himself, as he recognises the differences between him and those around him. While describing his and Desdemona’s love, Othello tells (about himself): “Rude am I in speech/ And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace.” In these words, Othello is able convey that he is a little awkward in speech, and not a smooth talker, with the unspoken understanding that others in the room are. Othello goes on, “For since these arms of mine had seven years pith/ Till now some nine moons wasted/ …in the tented field/ … little of this great world can I speak.” Here the reader learns that Othello, unlike the assortment of senators and the Duke, has spent most of his life in battle, and therefore has not had a lot of life
Desdemona believes that Othello is, in fact, a noble for the heroic acts that Othello has performed. As Bell suggests: "It is the heroic character Othello has made for himself that achieves his success in his wooing. He makes Desdemona put aside the prerequisites of class and race assumed for her appropriate suitor" (4). Iago,
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
In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Othello is the tragic hero. He is a character of high stature who is destroyed by his surroundings, his own actions, and his fate. His destruction is essentially precipitated by his own actions, as well as by the actions of the characters surrounding him. The tragedy of Othello is not a fault of a single villain, but is rather a consequence of a wide range of feelings, judgments and misjudgments, and attempts for personal justification exhibited by the characters. Othello is first shown as a hero of war and a man of great pride and courage. As the play continues, his character begins to deteriorate and become less noble. Chronologically through the play, Othello’s character
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 is presented initially as a dangerous beast by Iago, before he reveals himself to be of noble, human, status, only to degenerate later to the condition of a bloodthirsty and irrational animal. He is the hero of the play and this is achieved by his last speech(V. ii. 340-356) where he rights himself at the end of the play. "I kissed thee ere I killed thee: no way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss" (V. ii. 359). By showing us these contrasting images of the moor, Shakespeare is revealing the two different attitudes to race. The one of acceptance, as shown through characters such as
To begin with, Othello is a graceful man with a valiant personality which draws people near. Although he is known
Does being a noble man mean never making mistakes? William Shakespeare’s Othello deals with a honorable general Othello, whose collapse is caused by his own jealousy. Shakespeare effectively explores the nobility of Othello through demonstrating his glorified reputation, his loftiness, and his bravery.
There is more to Shakespeare’s Othello than just the characters in the play. There is a message of power, and who has it, as well as the ones that want it. Two of the central characters in the play are both married. Their "love" for each other is questionable. The message that Shakespeare is sending is not really about "love", but about the power that one holds in the marriage.
Othello, the protagonist of the play, is haunted by jealousy as his life takes a turn for the worse. In the beginning of the play, he is married happily to his wife Desdemona. Their marriage took off as he would boast about his brave stories. Othello is a moor and the general of the Venetian army, he has earned great respect throughout Venice from his superiority in battle. Iago who is Othello’s standard bearer, is the antagonist of the play as he manipulates Othello into thinking his wife Desdemona is cheating on him. Cassio is one of Othello’s lieutenants, Othello thinks that Desdemona is having an affair with him. Othello becomes very jealous of the fact that Desdemona could be cheating on him. He is constantly infuriated with the drama and eventually leads to him killing his wife and himself. He ultimately realizes that he was being played and is grieved that Desdemona has always been a loyal wife. Iago is a heinous person that is responsible for creating lies to ruin Othello’s life. Othello let's jealousy rage his temper and causes him to strike Desdemona. The jealousy in Othello causes him to become a tragic hero because he is manipulated into thinking his beloved wife is cheating on him which leads to Othello performing irrational actions and eventually shattering everything in his life.
Othello is first shown as a hero of war and a man of great pride and courage. As the play continues, his character begins to deteriorate and become less noble. Throughout the play,
Othello’s tragic flaw can be viewed as jealously which ultimately leads to his downfall. When Othello is manipulated by Iago to believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Desdemona, Othello does not change from his good person mentality. However, Othello carries out with the plan for murder for which he believes is a fine reason to end Desdemona’s once previous life to preserve her innocence. Othello is the tragic hero within the play titled after him and because of his title, because of this Othello, the Moor of Venice follows one of Aristotle’s requirements.
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