Othello’s Diversity of Imagery Essay

Nature seems to reflect upon humans and often times it can be through animals. In literature, animal comparisons are not only used to symbolize different characteristics, but to also make the plot more dramatic and interesting. It is often used by many authors because it gives the reader a vivid image as well as an understanding of the character. The use of this literary device is a clever way to expose underlying motifs and traits. In William Shakespeare’s play, Othello, animal imagery is used to portray the themes of good versus evil, jealousy, and racism which is influenced through the characters of Iago and Othello.

Shakespeare's play, “Othello, the Moor of Venice,” is a powerful example of a tragedy and it’s main character, Othello, is an excellent illustration of what Aristotle constitutes as a tragic hero. The play imitates life through basic human emotions such as jealousy and rage. In addition, Othello is far from being a perfect character - another quality that meets Aristotle's requirements. Othello also matches Aristotle's ideas of tragic hero because our Othello realizes the error of his ways, causing us to feel sympathy for him. If we carefully examine the third scene in the third act, we can see how Othello fits into Aristotle's definition of tragic hero. This passage reveals how much Othello has deteriorated as far as his ability to reason

The ability of passion to bring destruction upon the lives of the unsuspecting is illustrated in Shakespeare’s Othello with the use of both manipulation and deceit. The curse of fierce passion fell namely on Othello as he transitioned from a respected general to an unstable murderer. His downfall is demonstrated through his increasing self-doubt, lack of ability to articulate, and violence. In the start of the play, he is an accomplished general and happy newlywed, and has yet to be significantly held back due to his being a Moor and outsider in Venetian society. As passion overtakes him, however, Othello truly ingrains the idea that he is less than, and those around him begin to blame his actions on the nature of his ethnicity. He has completely lost his identity to his desires and is unable to think rationally. Shakespeare juxtaposes this version of Othello with his initial composed self in Venice to demonstrate the damage of ignorance to logic and heighten the sense of tragedy. The effects of an overwhelming passion involving love, jealousy, and revenge are shown through Othello’s degradation and loss of stability.

Othello has been described as one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays because the play focuses on its themes of good and evil, military, politics, love and marriage, religion, racial prejudice, gender conflict, and sexuality; but the controversy and debate surrounding Othello is “Why is Othello a qualification for a tragedy?”

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

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, imagery is used to set the tone of a passage, provide contrast and irony to scenes, and help to display character. Shakespeare applies the imagery of clothing, darkness, and blood in an exceptional manner to describe his play. Each one of these is an important symbol used throughout the play. They add to a complete understanding of a passage or the play as a whole.

Shakespeare is unarguably famous for his creative and vivid use of imagery in his acclaimed plays. Animal imagery is one literary device he uses often to develop theme and characterize individuals in his plays. One of his most prominent tragedies, Macbeth, contains many examples of animal imagery, most of which characterizes Macbeth himself. Animal imagery at the beginning of the tragedy, such as the comparison of Macbeth to an eagle and a lion, characterize him as loyal, brave, and honorable. As the play develops, however, the animal imagery used, like a predatory bird and a ferocious beast, begins to characterize him as power hungry, violent, and truly inhumane. In his tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses animal imagery to reflect

Imagery is a way to amplify theme in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. It portrays many different themes in the play. Imagery is used in many different ways, such as blood, animals and, light and dark.

In William Shakespeare’s play “Othello” the use of animal imagery was evident throughout the telling of the story. Shakespeare explained several characters actions by comparing them to similarities in animals. The characters in “Othello” were often depicted as having animal-like characteristics. Some characters were even compared to animals by other characters in the play. By defining characters in terms of these characteristics one can get a clear description of what the character is doing or saying as compared to certain animals.

Imagery in Titus Andronicus William Shakespeare is known for his vivid, and often metaphorical, imagery that allows his audience to not only imagine what he’s written, but –when it’s performed- experience it as it happens. Titus Andronicus does not fall short to this expectation; from its uncanny way of pairing horrifying images with handsome language, to its constant use of motifs to build theme within the play, it’s no wonder why this play stands out among the greats of “revenge tragedy.” One of Shakespeare’s greatest methods used to paint a picture within this play, is the use of wild animals paired with hunting to somewhat “dehumanize” the constant gruesome murders and various acts of violence that occur throughout the duration of the story.

The references to animals refer to the laws of nature being main force controlling the characters in this play. When animal references are used with regard to Othello, match the racism of the characters in the play. The phrase “Barbary horse” is a vulgarity and is said by Iago about Othello. This allows the audience to know he meant savage Moor.

The play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, can spark numerous thoughts and interpretations that differ between individuals based on the point of view of each particular character. For example, one of the main characters, Othello, endures a considerable amount of complications and events that lead to his downfall, which he concludes with a final speech. In T.S. Eliot’s essay called “Shakespeare and the Stoicism of Seneca,” the analyzation of the context suggests that Othello’s words and explanations are simply making the audience think about himself, rather than the horrific actions that he performed. By examining the language, the tone, and the context of Othello’s final speech, I believe that Othello is partly drawing sympathy for

’ In the text ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare, symbolism is a useful technique used to shed light on the deeper and darker messages of the play. It is very evident, especially through symbolic imagery, animalistic symbols, and hell and the devil; the issues in which Shakepeare intends to make his audience aware of in society. The strawberry spotted handkerchief also plays a crucial role in portraying these messages. I

   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.

Within this play, fundamental questions about humanity, as well as situations, attitudes, and problems that continue to hold strong universal meaning to this day are explored .It shows Shakespeare’s ability to create characters who resemble real life individuals and reflect lifestyles and personalities accurately.  You could not help but be moved by the dark despair and utter wretchedness of Othello’s downfall! Shakespeare has dramatically explored many aspects of the human condition in this play, The Tragedy of