The aim of the essay is to analyze the literature work «Othello, the Moor of Venice» and to find out what topics and problems are described in this work. In addition, it can be said without doubts that those problems are actual nowadays. The task is to understand how and in what situations. Moreover, it is essential to understand the main idea and topic of the play, and what the narrator wants to claim through the characters and their actions. The essay includes the summary and characterization of the events and protagonists.
Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It depicts a story of noble blake warrior Othello, who served at the Venetian army and fought in a war against Turks. He married a beautiful woman Desdemona despite of her father’s unwillingness to bless their marriage. Moreover, the unexpected marriage of the moor and beautiful young lady arose the feeling of jealousy I'm many people's hearts, including lago. Thus, Othello’s ensign made him think that his wife Desdemona betrayed him and that it was his duty to kill her. In such a way the villain of the story destroyed the lives of many innocent people. The significance of the play lies in the fact that it raises a lot of important themes, such as marriage,jealousy, hatred, uncertainty, and manipulation. All these themes are still accurate at present time. However, the main emphasis of story is put on its main character, Othello. Mainly through his character all the Maine themes of the story are described. It is possible to say that Othello is a complex a tragic hero of the play.
It should be noted that Othello serves not only as the major character of the play. It is also possible to call him a tragic hero of the play.From the very beginning of the story it is clear that Othello is a man of virtues. His character embodies such traits as justice, bravery, courage, and valor. For instance, the Duke of Venice, speaking about Othello with Brabantio, claims, “And, noble signior, / if virtue no delighted beauty lack, / Your son-in-law is far more fair than black” (1.3, 645-48). Othello himself believes that he deserves Desdemona and promising future with her. Thus, as Macaulay claims, “in the discourse between Othello's parts, title, and soul, Othello has the ability to reveal himself as he truly is, a man of worth and character” (Macaulay). It is true that Othello is regarded as a savior of Venice and as a respected general. Nevertheless, he feels himself lonely in Venice and cannot find his own place in it. The protagonist understands that the country doesn't accept him because of his origin of the Moor. He may have high position in the military service but he will never be able to become the part of the society in which he lives. Therefore, when Desdemona falls in love with him, no one in the republic can believe it. It is impossible to believe in the fact that a young lady can love the Moor and military commander. It is clear that the main character of the play doesn't believe in himself as he pretends to. So, that is why he as well perceives the love of Desdemona as undeserved gift.Othello's low self esteem makes it easy for other people to deceive him. And here lies the main tragedy of the play – the coexistence of humanity and pureness together with villainy and self-interest. In his play Shakespeare vividly shows how the most noble and wise people die when come under the influence of evil, how evil gets control over their souls which further leads to terrible consequences.Othello is rather ingenuous person who believes people. That is why it is easy for Iago to implant doubt in Othello's mind. That is why in one of their talks he says the following: “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; / Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure: / I would not have your free and noble nature, / Out of self-bounty, be abused; look to’t” (3.3, 1849-52). The news that his wife is unfaithful to him totally changes Othello’s perception of the world. For him, Desdemona is a center of honor, truth, and nobility. That is when his lago tells the man that Desdemona is unfaithful to him, this news becomes a real tragedy for Othello. He starts to think of his wife as of the worst evil in the world. The protagonist starts to think that his wife does not deserves the right to live and to continue lying to him. That is the main reason why he decides to kill Desdemona.The main character supports his decision with the following words: “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men” (5.2, 3307).The protagonist is disillusioned. His whole life was dedicated to the love of Desdemona. However, he sees no other choice but to kill her. The protagonist’s grief is emphasized when he learns the truth about his wife innocence. Othello finally understands that he was greatly manipulated by Iago and his evil spirits. The main character of the play feels great pain and understands that he cannot live any longer in the world full of hypocrisy and pain. In the existing situation, Othello decides to stab himself. So, it is possible to call Othello a tragic hero – a hero who came under the influence of evil. Being a noble person and having high position in the society he still couldn't find himself in the society in which he leaved. He is easily manipulated by Iagoand is not able to identify his true personality.
It is also worth mentioning that the theme of uncertainty and low self esteem plays a crucial role in the play. Thus, according to Aristotle, a tragic hero despite his greatness is not perfect as well. It is evident that the main character of the play suffers from low self esteem. Being the Moor he understands that he differs from all the other people, who despite his heroic deeds don't accept him. Thus, when Brabantio expresses his indignation about his marriage with Desdemona, Othello claims, “I shall promulgate – I fetch my life and being / From men of royal siege, and my demerits / May speakunbonnetedto as proud a fortune / As this that I have reach’d” (1.2, 225-28). From this words it is clear that the protagonist is unsure of himself. That is why he tries to recall all his deeds and his royal descendants in order to prove himself and other people that he deserves such a woman as Desdemona. Being perceived by other people as the dark Moor, Othello understands that he will always be viewed as a stranger by the people of Venice. Thus, according to Fernandez, “Othello is neither her nor there, his skin is black but he wants to be white, he acts like white and acts against his own people protecting Venice, but he is still a Moor” (Fernandez). Another fact that supports the idea that the main character suffered from low self esteemlies in his relationship with Desdemona. Thus, Othello couldn’t believe his happiness when Desdemona agreed to marry him. He perceived her love as pennies from heaven. It seems that the protagonist doesn't believe that he deserves his wife. And his uncertainty makes it easy for Iagoobnubilate Othello's mind and to accuse Desdemona in adultery. His lack of confidence makes him believe in Iago’s words and to suffer from jealousy. In this situation the main character prefers the Iago’s truth rather than his wife’s. He decides to act as a true European and to punish his wife. The choice made by Othello also shows his desire to be legitimized in Venice. As Fernandez states, “Othello chooses to believe a white male rather than his own white loving wife because she is a female who is not legitimizing him and because females, especially those from Venice, are “whores” before the eyes of European men” (Fernandez).
It is important to note that together with the theme of low self esteem stands the theme of manipulation. In fact, both themes are interconnected. Indeed, Othello's lack of confidence makes it easy for Iago to manipulate him. Being a cunning man Iago always knows what to say and when. He knows that race and passion for his wife are Othello's main weak points. That is why he uses his enemy’ weaknesses in order to destroy his life. Thus, “because Othello's appearance lends itself to suspicion, the “visibly invisible” Iagobecomes Othello's main source of social guidance, and can concentrate on abusing Othello's trust to the point of corruption” (Stesienko). Iagoconstantly tries to poison the protagonist’s mind with jealousy. First of all, he tries to convince Othello that he shouldn't confide the women from Venice. Than he reminds the man that Desdemona is capable of lies, as she lied to his father about her feelings to Othello. Thus, the lago claims, “She did deceive her father, marrying you; / And when she seem’d to shake and fear your looks, / She loved them most” (3.3, 1858-60). Finally, Iagoprovides proofs (created by himself) of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. Unfortunately, but the protagonist is not able to recognize a villain in Iago's face. Therefore, he follows lago’s advice and kills his own wife.Othello has great feelings for Desdemona, and that is exactly why he takes hard her downfall. Therefore, it is possible to say that Othello's passion for Desdemona is the source of his strength and destruction at the same time.However, the most crucial moment in Othello's life comes when he learns that his wife was innocent and faithful to him. Thus, the protagonist understands that he made a great mistake when he trusted in Iago. As Fernandez states, Othello “has been betrayed by whom he thought to be his loyal servant Iago and he discovers how mistaken he was at suspecting his wife who has died by his own hands” (Fernandez). The main character of the play cannot bear this knowledge and kills himself and to join his dead wife. Othello understands that in his desire to become the part of Venetian society he became oppressor. That is why the only possible punishment that the main character sees for himself is death.
References
Shakespeare, W. (1604).Othello, the Moor of Venice. Retrieved from http: // www.opensourceshakespeare.com
Fernandez, J.R. (2013).Othello: the Oppressed and the Oppressor. Academia.edu. Retrieved from http: // www.academia.edu
Macaulay, M. (2005).When chaos is come again: narrative and narrative analysis in Othello. Style. Retrieved from http: // www.thefreelibrary.com
Avery, J. (2013). Protestant epistemology and Othello's consciousness. Renascence: Essays on Values in Literature.Retrieved from http: // www.thefreelibrary.com
Stesienko, A. (2013). The Monster in the Moor. The Oswald Review: An International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Criticism in the Discipline of English: Vol. 13. Iss. 1, Article 7.Retrieved from http: // www.schoolarcommons.sc.edu
