Phil english language and literature, department of english language and literature, chenab college of advance studies, mianwali abstract. Psychoanalytical perspective othello karen driver south university online compositions 2 october, 2011 in order to use psychoanalytical perspective to analyze a play the reader must first understand what it means. Iago, encouraging cassio to seek desdemonas assistance in returning to othellos favor, begins slowly poisoning othellos mind by making him think that desdemona is illicitly involved with cassio. Cassio the duke does greet you, general, and he requires your hasteposthaste appearance, even on the instant. Stephen regan, accompanied by experts from the world shakespeare congress examine shakespeare s work from a critical perspective, putting his plays in historical and social context as well as making a critical analysis of the broader questions of performance and audience interaction throughout history. Critical study of literature student book engages students in an enjoyable and detailed study of william shakespeares othello that has been designed to improve critical knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the play as a literary text. In the next lines, othello compares himself to a toad living in a dungeon, as if he has begun to suspect that his blackness makes him a loathsome animal, somehow less than human.
Critical readings and approaches to othello bruce derby. He is the most romantic figure among shakespeares heroes, and he is so partly from the strange life of war and adventure which he has lived from childhood. Othello was crafted at the dawn of the 17th century, shaped by complex social and geopolitical issues that new historicist critics, who seek to place literary works within a historical framework. Through the feminist readings, the audiencereaders can be informed of the inequality between the sexes. A literary device that uses components in a sentence that are grammatically the same. Othello s selfdoubting eventually leads to downfall. He verbally abuses his wife in front of others, who are shocked at the change in the noble and powerful man. Pdf critical analysis of the characters othello and iago in the play. Othello character essay in the play, othello, by william shakespeare, othello is a general in the venetian army, who also happens to be black and of muslim descent, although he is a converted christian. After desdemona and emilia exit, iago goes to work on othello. In othello, love is a force that overcomes large obstacles and is tripped up by small ones.
Welcome,you are looking at books for reading, the othello, you will able to read or download in pdf or epub books and notice some of author may have lock the live reading for some of country. One of the most powerful dramas ever written for the stage, othello is a story of revenge, illusion. Study 20 terms othello critical quotes flashcards quizlet. Themes are central to understanding othello as a play and identifying shakespeares social and political commentary. In othello, the major themes reflect the values and the motivations of characters love. Othello summary from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. Literary terms in othello parallelism foreshadowing definition. Othello literary analysis essay example graduateway.
Anyone who doubts that shakespeares greatest tragedies were written from an imaginative standpoint far ahead of his time need only think of othello. Desdemona and othello make up, and othello repeats his great love for her. The moral enigma of shakespeares othello othello as tragic hero iagos motives. A study of contrast between english and persian translation international journal on studies in english language and literature ijsell page 21 if one wants to reproduce the original style satisfactorily, one must keep two points in mind before undertaking the translation. People who mention othello in their critical commentary emphasize more on its main characters including othello, desdemona and lago and their bonds with one another. Oct 29, 2014 othello is the famous play by william shakespeare presenting the tragic and crucial part of shakespeares writings. A feminist analysis of the play othello allows us to judge the different social values and status of women in the elizabethan society. His tragedy arises from his inability to discern truth from falsity. The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the storyform for othello. Along with kolins substantial introductory survey of the plays critical and performance history, this book is bound to reinforce othello s extraordinary current appeal, not just to scholars and students of shakespeare but to nonacademic readers, theatrical audiences and moviegoers as well.
Numerous and wellknown phrases came from his plays, such as wear my heart upon my sleeve othello and the world is my oyster the merry wives of windsor. The basic idea of the play is so well known that its easy to forget the startling boldness of shakespeares decision to take cinthios brief tale of a doomed mixedrace marriage and transform it into a heartbreaking. The critic emphasizes the moors idolatrous love, arguing that othello s descent into uncontrollable rage results from the fact that he cannot reconcile his idealized image of desdemona with her sexuality. Othello, shakespeare in shakespeares play othello, iago uses racial distinction to persuade othello into believing there is an affair between desdemona and cassio. The 19thcentury english critic william hazlitt, who continued the development of character analysis begun by johnson, considered each shakespearean character to be unique, but found a unity through analogy and gradation of characterization.
Books like othello by william shakespeare suggested reading william shakespeare this study guide consists of approximately 158 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of othello. This is one of the most haunting and memorable lines of shakespeares othello. In the play, the characters are faced with the choice to either conquer or succumb to the overpowering force of evil. A survey of criticism internet shakespeare editions. We know his actions perfectly well, and he works as a dramatic figure, but we dont understand why he does what he does we dont grasp his motivation. Many of the great books of english literature were first. The basic purpose of the study is the character analysis of othello and. In the full title of his tragedy, othello, the moor of venice, shakespeare announces his title characters race and place. Critical approaches to othello the british library.
Books like othello by william shakespeare suggested reading. A critical analysis of shakespeares tragic characters othello s character. Perhaps iago is the only person not puzzled by iago, and there are signs in the play that he isnt entirely clear about iago either. The organisation brings out the shifts in emphasis as each generation reinvents shakespeare, and othello, by the questions asked, those not asked, and the answers given. Inevitability and the nature of shakespeares tragedies. The full range of literary traditions comes to life in the twayne critical essays series. Iago knows that desdemona, the daughter of nobleman brabantio, has run off to marry othello. Professor bradley greenburg of northeastern illinois university provides an indepth analysis. William shakespeares othello explained with play and scene summaries in just a few minutes. Othello is the famous play by william shakespeare presenting the tragic and crucial part of shakespeares writings.
Unlike most of the analysis found herewhich simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis indepth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. In front of the duke, brabantio accuses othello of having used magic to seduce desdemona. Iago, an ensign in the venetian army, is bitter about being passed over for lieutenant in favor of cassio. He is the only one in the play who speaks to the audience, and his bitter rants about othello and cassio, his casual dismissal of women as worthless prostitutes, and his gleeful selfcongratulation about the nasty things hes doing are the foundation of. The basic purpose of the study is the character analysis of othello and iago in the play othello by william shakespeare. Critical readings and approaches to othello youtube. Iago plans to make othello think desdemona pleads out of love for cassio. Even thought, the movie departs from the original play, due to the cutting of many dialogues, and an addition of new scenes, still this infusion of the authors vision and shakespearean genius not only changes a common perspective of the play, but.
Iago tells roderigo that he serves othello, the moor who is the armys general, only in order to serve himself. However, desdemona, through her unwitting support of cassio to othello, contributes to his growing jealousy. Psychoanalytical interpretations aim to reveal the influence of the subconscious in the texts plot, setting, conflict, symbols, point of view, language. Teacher resource for othello by william shakespeare anchor text othello order copies from ccs book warehouse shorter literary texts. Reflecting the culture in which othello was written, none of the three female characters is ultimately treated as an equal by the men. The titular and main characters engagement in murder, jealousy, and betrayal could easily portray him as the villain. Yet from its first staging to the present, othello has also been among the few shakespearean plays to be repeatedly staged to enthusiastic audiences, not only. Selections here are organised chronologically looking at both theatrical commentary and literary criticism.
He is a general in the venetian defense forces, and, although a foreigner from africa, he has won this post by excellence in the field of war. Pdf othello by william shakespeare book download online. It provides othello with intensity but not direction and gives desdemona access to his heart but not his mind. Dive deep into william shakespeares othello with extended analysis, commentary, and discussion. Othello norton critical editions and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Shakespeare, explores the timelessness of shakespeares themes, as well as. Othello responds that it was stories of his exciting life history and military bravery that won desdemona. Explore the different themes within william shakespeares tragic play, othello. Unlike hamlet, king lear, and macbeth, which are set against a backdrop of affairs of state and which reverberate with suggestions of universal human concerns, othello is set in a private world and focuses on the passions and personal lives of its major figures. Feb 23, 2017 covert narcissist signs you are dealing with a master manipulatorlisa a romano podcast duration. Title a teachers guide for the merchant of venice and othello.
Bradley marks the culmination of romantic 19thcentury character study, he also suggested. Othello critical views of othello king edward vii academy. Iago is othello s ensign in the venetian military and most trusted. He decides to bring about the generals destruction. Pairing a sustained reading of the formal and affective qualities of othello with analysis alert to both discontinuities and consistencies in almost 400 years of critical and theatrical response to the play, pechter demonstrates that the interpretive traditions that have grown up around othello often say more about the preoccupations of their. Student learning will center on the analysis of character and theme development in william shakespeares. This critical writing on critical analysis of the tragedy of othello was written and submitted by user ulises v. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of othello by william shakespeare. Essays include writings from the authors native country and abroad, with interpretations from the time they were writing, through the present. Brabantio, enraged, interrupts othello as he receives an urgent message from the duke of venice, and accompanies othello see the duke.
Essay about a feminist analysis of othello 1741 words. Introduction othello is unique among shakespeares great tragedies. Othello believes biancas possession of the handkerchief is proof that desdemona and cassio are lovers. Othello was crafted at the dawn of the 17th century, shaped by complex social and geopolitical issues that new historicist critics, who seek to place literary works within a historical framework, have recently sought to unravel. Shakespeare derived othellos plot from a short narrative in giraldi cinthios gli hecatommithi 1565, but set his play within the context of venices struggle during the 1570s with the ottoman empire for control of cyprus, the eastern mediterranean island that. List of books and articles about othello online research. A study of contrast between english and persian translation international journal on studies in english language and literature ijsell page 21 if one wants to reproduce the original style satisfactorily, one must keep two. His successful profession brings him high status in venice, but his foreign origins and color separate him from those with whom he lives and works. The following discussion sketches in broad strokes some of the most influential literary critical approaches to othello, including character criticism, formalism, psychoanalysis, and a range of politically inflected approaches such as feminism and new historicism. Iago is othello s ensign in the venetian military and most trusted advisor. Critical approaches to othello it is sometimes thought that literary criticism is a process of decoding or unlocking a literary text, where a critic takes a difficult piece of literature and.
Although othello has regularly been praised as william shakespeares most cohesive tragedy, many critics have discovered the. From the beginning of the play, othello is victimized and characterized as an outcast in venetian society. Including twentyone groundbreaking chapters that examine one of shakespeares most complex tragedies. Analysis of adaptation othello 1995 by oliver parker. Play construction and the suffering and murder of desdemona lectures on othello. Piotr sadowski 2003 applies psychological theory to the actions of. Othello the annotated shakespeare pdf book library. Plot and character analysis of shakespeares othello essay. Critical analysis of the tragedy of othello 971 words. Venice, so it is likely that he relied on books to help him cre ate an accurate picture of. Race and gender in othello shakespeares othello supports many critical readings, however the most obvious of the readings displayed through othello are the feminist reading and the race reading. Jan 11, 20 including twentyone groundbreaking chapters that examine one of shakespeares most complex tragedies. Paperback 20011221 routledge shakespeare criticism.
The free othello notes include comprehensive information and analysis to help you understand the book. Read a character analysis of othello, plot summary, and important quotes. Othello the servants of the duke, and my lieutenant. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Othello is a combination of greatness and weakness, in his own words an honourable murderer v.
Othello, in full othello, the moor of venice, tragedy in five acts by william shakespeare, written in 160304 and published in 1622 in a quarto edition from a transcript of an authorial manuscript. Only when othello buys into the absurd idea that his race inherently makes him dangerous does he begin to creep toward the possibility of doing violence to his wife. Dec 23, 2001 along with kolins substantial introductory survey of the plays critical and performance history, this book is bound to reinforce othello s extraordinary current appeal, not just to scholars and students of shakespeare but to nonacademic readers, theatrical audiences and moviegoers as well. Iago feeds upon othello s insecurities to raise his fury. First performed around 1604, the play is also a pioneering exploration of racial prejudice. Jul 21, 2012 critical readings and approaches to othello bruce derby. True to her word, desdemona begins begging othello to reinstate cassio, pestering him until finally, he agrees.
Othello is a combination of strength and weakness, intelligence and stupidity, faith and mistrust. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper. The relationship between othello and iago shakespeare and race. Racism, misogyny and motiveless malignity in othello the. Literary criticism on shakespeares famous play othello. In othello, the major themes reflect the values and the motivations of characters. A feminist reading william shakespeares othello can be read from a feminist perspective. Fully annotated, with an introduction, by burton raffel. We observe his plot to destroy othello by instilling jealousy and incidentally cassio and desdemona. Unfortunately, othello and iago arrive shortly after cassios meeting with desdemona and upon seeing him leaving, iago uses this opportunity to sow yet another lie, convincing othello that cassio seems to be avoiding him. Discover librarianselected research resources on othello from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. Literary devices in othello by olivia shumbo on prezi.
Essays, articles and book excerpts on shakespeares othello. A feminist interpretation of the play would assess the balance of power between the genders, the cultural expectations displayed in the play and the degree to which these are conformed to by the women, as well as how far the drama centres on male or female. Othello glances at iagos feet and confirms that iago does indeed have human feet, and therefore must be human. The character of othello is comparatively simple, but it is desirable to show how essentially the success of iagos plot is connected with this character. Othello the moor of venice william shakespeare with related readings the emc masterpiece series access editions emcparadigm publishing st. Thomas rymer was one of the plays earliest critics. Iago is a flat character, because his traits are constant. A feminist analysis of othello in william shakespeares tragic play othello there are numerous instances of obvious sexism aimed at the three women in the drama desdemona, emilia and bianca and aimed at womankind generally. The story of an african general in the venetian army who is tricked into suspecting his wife of adultery, othello is a tragedy of sexual jealousy. These free notes consist of about 29 pages 8,693 words and contain the following sections. Othello cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. Virginia mason vaughan discusses four recent critical approaches. He is looking to see if iago has cloven feet like the devil othello now thinks him to be dominic 337. A critical analysis of othellos main characters william shakespeares othello is a classic depiction of a struggle between good and evil.
Critical views of othello the play is thought to have been written between autumn 1603 and the summer the following year. Othello is attempting to show that iagos demonic behavior does not mean he is in fact an immortal demon. Othello 1995 directed by oliver parker is an excellent adaptation of william shakespeares the tragedy of othello, the moor of venice. The text published in the first folio of 1623 seems to have been based on a version revised by shakespeare himself that sticks close to the original almost line by line but introduces numerous.
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