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William Shakespeare 's Othello And Othello Essay

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Othello speaks to Iago in Act Three of the play saying, “certain, men should be what they seem” (3.3.131). This excerpt foreshadow events in which Othello will begin to question the actions and morality of Cassio and Desdemona, all orchestrated by Iago’s scheming nature. This is a very important concept to showcase because Othello devoutly loves Desdemona and trusts Cassio until conniving language from Iago causes him to think otherwise. Drawing on Shakespeare’s source story by Cinthio and other outside sources, textual information can be gathered to explore major concerns of “Othello”. Throughout this essay, I will present textual evidence from multiple sources examining the central concerns of the play, which include identity and revenge. One major grievance that is apparent from the play’s opening and continues to escalate throughout the play is identity, not in the sense of race, but mainly in the sense of reputation. Cassio and Othello share many similarities, revealed within Acts Two and Three of the play. Both, Othello and Cassio rely heavily on their reputations, an intangible aspect of identity. For Othello, his reputation is a sole concern because he is so different. Othello seeks to be remembered for all the things he did right and his good standing with the Signior as Majorie Garber, a Harvard professor, states, after the death of Desdemona Othello speaks saying “when you shall see these unlucky deeds relate; speak of me as I am” (Garber, 615). Frequently

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