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Examples Of Sacrifice In Othello

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Sacrifice is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as an act of giving up something especially for the sake of someone else. Throughout history, there are more than a few sacrifices to be recalled. The Christians tell of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ gave for them on the cross. The romantics explain how Romeo and Juliet sacrificed themselves for one another in the name of young, forbidden, love. Harry Potter fanatics say that the best sacrifice of all time is how Harry gives himself to the villain He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named to save his friends, family, and fellow classmates. All of these examples demonstrate someone who is willing to give themselves for those that they love and care for. However, we rarely see a representation of someone …show more content…

The root of the problem begins when the Moor places his friend at a higher ranking than Iago; who seems to think he, himself, deserved the promotion. Cassio comes to be known as a man of only book-smarts when Iago says, “more than a spinster--unless the bookish theoric; wherein the toged consuls can propose as masterly as he (Shakespeare 2).” The fact that Cassio gets preferred over Iago causes the man to want his revenge. As Iago slowly convinces Othello that Desdemona has been sleeping with Cassio, that jealousy seeps through to Othello himself. Eventually, there is so much spite inside Othello, that he snaps. He becomes so angry that he tells Iago, “yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate (Shakespeare 166)!” The Moor continues on to scream for blood and murder of his dear friend Cassio. In the beginning of the story we are constantly told of how Cassio cared for Othello and would do anything to serve him. It was quite obvious that Othello felt similar. However, as Iago’s psychological trickery slowly transforms Othello into a man of revenge and hurt, Othello’s friendship with the other man becomes animosity and insanity as he thirsts for the pain of those who he believes to have hurt

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