The Tragedy of Othello :: Essays Papers

The Tragedy of OthelloWilliam Shakespeares, The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, from the sixteenth century is an excellent example of Renaissance humanism. A poet of unequaled genius, Shakespeare emerged during the golden age of England under the rule of Elizabeth I.(Fiero 398) He produced comedies, tragedies, romances and histories. According to Websters pocket dictionary, a tragedy is defined as a stool of drama in which the protagonist comes to a disaster, as through a flaw in character, and in which the ending is usually marked by ruth or sorrow. I would like to concentrate on the character Iago and the theme of deceit.We see humanism in all of Shakespeares characters. He does not evaluate or label them but rather gave them each strengths, weaknesses, and flaws. Shakespeare transforms these figures into complex personalities, allowing them full freedom to falter and fail through their admit actions.(3100) The play consisted of human interaction especially in the case of the character Iago, who is the personification of evil. Shakespeare also introduced the hero, Othello, as a black man, which is not stereotypical for that time. Each character makes their own decisions and has their own flaws, which is very humanistic. Shakespeares use of tragedy shows, in a universe in which order and disorder coexist, human choices play a vital and potentially destructive part.(3100)Shakespeare develops the character Iago into an instigator and evil man. Iago attempts and succeeds to convince Othello that his wife has had an affair with his friend Cassio. We see Iago beginning his plans at the very start of the play. But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at, I am not what I am.(Oth 1164-65) He immediately tries to start put out with Brabantio and Othello over the marriage to Desdemona. Iago want to get in Othellos way because he was passed over for general and Cassio was chosen instead. We see from the start how he plots o ver against Othello and he involves several characters in his plans. And whats he then that says I play the villain? When this advice is free. I give and honest, probal to thinking, and indeed the course to win the Moor again? For tis easy Th inclining Desdemona to subdue in any honest suit shes framed as fruitful(23295-300).