The way in which the character of Othello is refered to in the play is as a cultural outsider in the city of Venice. In the opening lines of the play, the character of Othello continues to remain at a distance from much of the action that affects and concerns him. Characters such as Roderigo and Iago constantly refer to him as 'he' or 'him' along with other insulting racial names and gross and sexual terms such as "the thick-lips" (Scene 1, act 1, 66) and "an old black ram" (Scene 1, act 1, 88). It is the character of Iago that believes that Othello’s status as a political commander of Cyprus has been misplaced, believing that he should be in the place of Othello. Shakespeare may have chosen to introduce the main character this way because it makes the reader believe that perhaps Othello has been wrongly judged and misunderstood. However there are characters in the play such as Brabrantio and especially his daughter, Desdemona who admire his exotic traits and appearance, as shown in the quote made by Othello-“[Desdemona’s] father loved me, oft invited me, / Still questioned me the story of my life / From year to year” (Scene 1, act 3, 127–129). The contrasting views of Othello in the first few chapters of the play, especially by the way Iago refers to him, make the reader feel sorry for Othello, wondering if he is has been strongly misunderstood. The way Shakespeare has chosen to introduce the main character Othello, gives him a sense of mystery and makes the reader want to see if the way that Iago speaks of him is a true representation of Othello's character.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Homework Task Week 2
Why has Shakespeare chosen to introduce the main character in this way? How are we, as the audience, being positioned to see Othello and to see other characters? Write a well-structured paragraph in response, using evidence from the play, including at least one quotation.
The way in which the character of Othello is refered to in the play is as a cultural outsider in the city of Venice. In the opening lines of the play, the character of Othello continues to remain at a distance from much of the action that affects and concerns him. Characters such as Roderigo and Iago constantly refer to him as 'he' or 'him' along with other insulting racial names and gross and sexual terms such as "the thick-lips" (Scene 1, act 1, 66) and "an old black ram" (Scene 1, act 1, 88). It is the character of Iago that believes that Othello’s status as a political commander of Cyprus has been misplaced, believing that he should be in the place of Othello. Shakespeare may have chosen to introduce the main character this way because it makes the reader believe that perhaps Othello has been wrongly judged and misunderstood. However there are characters in the play such as Brabrantio and especially his daughter, Desdemona who admire his exotic traits and appearance, as shown in the quote made by Othello-“[Desdemona’s] father loved me, oft invited me, / Still questioned me the story of my life / From year to year” (Scene 1, act 3, 127–129). The contrasting views of Othello in the first few chapters of the play, especially by the way Iago refers to him, make the reader feel sorry for Othello, wondering if he is has been strongly misunderstood. The way Shakespeare has chosen to introduce the main character Othello, gives him a sense of mystery and makes the reader want to see if the way that Iago speaks of him is a true representation of Othello's character.
The way in which the character of Othello is refered to in the play is as a cultural outsider in the city of Venice. In the opening lines of the play, the character of Othello continues to remain at a distance from much of the action that affects and concerns him. Characters such as Roderigo and Iago constantly refer to him as 'he' or 'him' along with other insulting racial names and gross and sexual terms such as "the thick-lips" (Scene 1, act 1, 66) and "an old black ram" (Scene 1, act 1, 88). It is the character of Iago that believes that Othello’s status as a political commander of Cyprus has been misplaced, believing that he should be in the place of Othello. Shakespeare may have chosen to introduce the main character this way because it makes the reader believe that perhaps Othello has been wrongly judged and misunderstood. However there are characters in the play such as Brabrantio and especially his daughter, Desdemona who admire his exotic traits and appearance, as shown in the quote made by Othello-“[Desdemona’s] father loved me, oft invited me, / Still questioned me the story of my life / From year to year” (Scene 1, act 3, 127–129). The contrasting views of Othello in the first few chapters of the play, especially by the way Iago refers to him, make the reader feel sorry for Othello, wondering if he is has been strongly misunderstood. The way Shakespeare has chosen to introduce the main character Othello, gives him a sense of mystery and makes the reader want to see if the way that Iago speaks of him is a true representation of Othello's character.
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