Othello 8

Othello 

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare hints at the fact that death will be occurring soon in Othello. However, these deaths are motivated. Othello plans on murdering Desdemona because he believes that she is unfaithful. Even when he hears from other people, like Emilia, that Desdemona would never betray Othello's trust, he still plans on murdering her. Even if Othello and Desdemona were to separate, in Othello's mind, that would not solve the problem of Desdemona's treatment toward men. He says that "she must die, else she'll betray more men"(V.ii.6-7). He believes that if she lives, she would still continue to 'betray men.' If Desdemona were to find another man, then Othello believes that the man that she marries next would end up in Othello's position. In Othello's mind, he believes that killing Desdemona would be benefitting more people than himself. He believes that Desdemona's habits cannot be changed. For this reason, he believes that the only solution would be killing her. 

Othello 7

Othello 

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare created the most manipulative character in Othello, Iago, but Iago now finds himself in a not particularly ideal situation. At the beginning of Act V, he contemplates if Roderigo's death or Cassio's death would benefit him more. He says that if Roderigo lives, "he calls me to a restitution large of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him as gifts to Desdemona"(V.i.14-17). If Roderigo lives, then Iago will owe him monetarily. However, Iago finds that Cassio dying is the best case scenario for himself. "If Cassio do remain, he hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly, and besides, the Moor may unfold me to him. There stand I in much peril"(V.i.18-21). Iago is put in much danger if Cassio lives because Cassio could expose Iago to Othello once he finds out the truth. Iago would prefer to not be exposed for his deceitful ways to Othello. Iago did not count on anyone finding out about his deceptive nature. Even though Roderigo was the closest one to find out about his ways, Cassio's death would be a greater benefit to Iago. 

Othello 6

Othello 

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is able to utilize dynamic characters in Othello. Roderigo would be an example of a dynamic character in Othello. In the beginning of the work, he seemed to just be a little bit upset about not being able to court Desdemona. I felt as though his jealousy was minor and would really not come into play again in the work. However, he proved to be rather intelligent as he appeared again in Act IV. He is really the first one to catch onto Iago's deceiving ways. Roderigo says to Iago, "I have heard too much, for your words and performances are no kin together"(IV.ii.181-182). This indicates that Roderigo has heard all of the lies that Iago has planted into each person's brain. He wanted to come and confront Iago about his lying ways, but Iago is able to convince him to keep quiet. Iago is able to show his manipulative ways through Roderigo. He tells Roderigo that because of his lying, Roderigo will be able to be with Desdemona. Iago says to wait another day, and if Roderigo is not with her by the next day, then he has permission to expose Iago. 

Othello 5

Othello 
William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare does a great job of presenting opposing opinions for nearly every decision that must be made in Othello. As Othello and Iago are discussing the murder of Desdemona, they have differing opinions on how she should die. I believe that each way that is proposed is suggestive to the kind of characters that Othello and Iago are. Othello orders Iago to "get me some poison, Iago, this night! I'll not expostulate with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again"(IV.i.188-189). However, Iago advises Othello, "do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated"(IV.i191-192). Othello wants to kill Desdemona in the least violent way possible because he wants to preserve her beauty even though he believes that she has been dishonest to her. However, Iago wants to draw out the worst in Othello, and everyone else for that matter, so he wants Othello to kill Desdemona in a violent fashion. These two characters are foil characters for a few reasons. They not only have differing views on how to murder someone, but they also have differing views on women. Iago does not trust women and he really does not like women very much. However, Othello truly loved his wife and trusted her until Iago tried to convince Othello that he should be concerned about Desdemona's faithfulness. Both characters have differing values on varying aspects of their lives.

Othello 4

Othello
William Shakespeare

Shakespeare portrays Iago is a mischievous character who is also manipulative to many of the other characters in Othello. Following the firing of Cassio from his lieutenant position, he wanted to speak with Desdemona privately about his job loss. As Cassio is leaving his talk with Desdemona, he sneaks off in order to avoid any type of anger with Othello. However, Iago tries to plant the seed in Othello's head that Desdemona and Iago have something to hide from Othello. Iago says "that he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming"(III.iii.40). This indicates that Iago is overtly fabricating the details in order to cause Othello to have doubt and concern. Iago enjoys having so much control over everyone and he continues to do so in an inconspicuous way. I believe that Iago will not get away with his manipulation for much longer though. Many of the other characters are smart and will catch onto Iago's tricks that he is playing. Iago's trickery and deceit is ironic because he hates women for being deceitful to men. However, Iago is deceitful to everyone that he encounters.

Othello 3

Othello
William Shakespeare

Shakespeare utilizes some of the typical stereotypes of women are exhibited in Act II of Othello. As Iago and Desdemona discuss the ideal woman to Iago, he expresses his views of all different types of women. He believes that women are manipulative and he is the epitome of a misogynist. Iago's perfect woman is one who will "suckle fools and chronicle small beer"(II.i.59). This shows how stereotypical Iago is towards women. He believes that a woman is best-suited in a kitchen or nursing her children. Another example Iago's misogyny would be present in the way in which he treats his wife, Emilia. He tells her that she "rises to play and goes to bed to work"(II.i.114).  This is an example of his rude nature toward his wife. He believes that if he has any reason to doubt her genuine nature, then he will mistrust all women.

Othello 2

Othello
William Shakespeare

Shakespeare uses foreshadowing at the beginning of Act II of Othello. As scene one opens, a storm is occurring on the sea where a flood has also occurred. The Turks are on ships that are on the sea at the time of the storm and the flood. As Montano and the gentlemen attempt to figure out what has happened to the Turks at sea, they come to the conclusion that the Turks may have drowned. Montano says that "if the Turkish fleet be not ensheltered and embayed, they are drowned"(II.i.17-18). The storm at the beginning of the Act foreshadowed the trouble that would soon occur involving Montano. One evening when Cassio was drunk, he beat Montano in a fight. Cassio was consequently stripped of his lieutenant title. However, Montano was also injured and hurt which was foreshadowed by the storm at the beginning of the Act. The events involving Montano and Cassio were some of the effects of the foreshadowing storm.

Othello 1

Othello
William Shakespeare

Early on in Act I of Othello, Shakespeare provides multiple examples of racism. One of the conflicts in the play is between Brabantio and his daughter, Desdemona. Brabantio becomes infuriated when he realizes that Desdemona is in love with Othello. Partially, I believe that Brabantio was upset because he felt as though he was deceived by his daughter. However, I also believe that he was upset that his daughter fell in love with a black man. Brabantio's anger was fueled by his racism toward Othello. Brabantio had felt betrayed by his daughter as Roderigo told Brabantio that his daughter was planning to marry Othello. Brabantio angrily says to Roderigo, "With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father! How didst thou know 'twas she? Oh she deceives me"(I.i.161-162). Brabantio's fury is well illustrated in this scene. He has been betrayed but his daughter by planning to marry behind his back and choosing to marry someone who is not of her race.