Othello
By Shakespeare
Introduction:
William
Shakespeare has become the most famous and influential author in English
literature. (26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) He was an English poet, playwright and
actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and
the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national
poet and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations,
consist of approximately 39
plays 154 sonnet, two long narrative poems and a few other
verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every
major living language and are performed more often than those
of any other playwright.
In the shakespeian tragic drama the play starts usually happily
the hero and heroine of shakespeian drama are of great starts for the readers. Interest
the heroine of shakespeian drama always have tragic end while the hero of the
play pusses some serious flaw and this serious flaw of the hero becomes the cause
of the hero’s tragedy.
Othello is
the most domestic of Shakespeare tragedy its focus is not on the fall of the
king the collapse of the nation the agony of the prince or the contradiction
between lobe and beauty it is about end of marriage and nature it is more concerned
with sexual jealousy.
Summary of the play:
Othello is a highly esteemed general in the service of Venice. Iago is Othello's ambitious friend and ensign. However, he promotes the Florentine Michael Cassio to the position of personal lieutenant and Iago is deadly jealous. Iago begins an evil and malicious campaign against the hero.
Othello
elopes with Desdemona, daughter of Senator Brabantio and Iago enlists Rodrigo,
a former suitor of Desdemona, to slander him to Brabantio. Desdemona's father
then complains to the Duke of Venice, claiming the vile, black man, used spells
and charms to win Desdemona's favors.
Turkey threatens Cyprus and the Senate charges Othello to defend Cyprus to become the new governor. The Duke of Venice listens to Brabantio's charges against him but after hearing Othello speak of his love for Desdemona the duke finds in his favor.
Othello is totally unaware that the treacherous Iago was behind all the charges and orders Iago to accompany his wife to Cypress. Roderigo egged on by Iago, also accompanies them convinced that Desdemona will tire of her lover. Not content with slandering him, Iago also persuades Roderigo that Cassio must be discredited to prevent any possibility of Desdemonia turning to Cassio.
In Cyprus, Iago gets Cassio drunk, then has Roderigo start an argument with him. Montano, the outgoing governor of Cyprus, intervenes, and Cassio wounds him. Othello arrives on the scene and Iago convinces him that Cassio is to blame and he disowns Cassio. Iago then persuades Cassio that he can get back into Othello's favour if he gets Desdemona to intercede on his behalf.
Desdemona pleads on behalf of Cassio making her lover suspicious and extremely jealous. A handkerchief belonging to Desdemona comes into Iago's possession via his wife Emilia, which he plants in Cassio's room. Iago tells him and when Desdemona is unable to produce the handkerchief her lover is convinced that she and the younger and more handsome Cassio are having an affair. He is consumed with anger and jealousy and confides in Iago that he plans to poison Desdemona - Iago suggests that he strangle her instead in the bed that she 'contaminated' with Cassio.
Turkey threatens Cyprus and the Senate charges Othello to defend Cyprus to become the new governor. The Duke of Venice listens to Brabantio's charges against him but after hearing Othello speak of his love for Desdemona the duke finds in his favor.
Othello is totally unaware that the treacherous Iago was behind all the charges and orders Iago to accompany his wife to Cypress. Roderigo egged on by Iago, also accompanies them convinced that Desdemona will tire of her lover. Not content with slandering him, Iago also persuades Roderigo that Cassio must be discredited to prevent any possibility of Desdemonia turning to Cassio.
In Cyprus, Iago gets Cassio drunk, then has Roderigo start an argument with him. Montano, the outgoing governor of Cyprus, intervenes, and Cassio wounds him. Othello arrives on the scene and Iago convinces him that Cassio is to blame and he disowns Cassio. Iago then persuades Cassio that he can get back into Othello's favour if he gets Desdemona to intercede on his behalf.
Desdemona pleads on behalf of Cassio making her lover suspicious and extremely jealous. A handkerchief belonging to Desdemona comes into Iago's possession via his wife Emilia, which he plants in Cassio's room. Iago tells him and when Desdemona is unable to produce the handkerchief her lover is convinced that she and the younger and more handsome Cassio are having an affair. He is consumed with anger and jealousy and confides in Iago that he plans to poison Desdemona - Iago suggests that he strangle her instead in the bed that she 'contaminated' with Cassio.
Letters are the received from the Duke of Venice recalling Othello and naming Cassio the new governor. Iago persuades Roderigo to kill Cassio for him, but he fails only managing to wound him. Cassio strikes back and wounds Roderigo. Iago rushes past unseen and wounds Cassio in the leg. Othello arrives at this point and watches from a distance and believes that Iago, his good and honest friend, has killed Cassio. Iago finally kills Rodrigo.
Othello returns to the castle to kill his wife. Othello, who still loves his wife, kisses her awake and after more accusations and denials from Desdemona he finally smothers her to death.Emilia tells Othello the truth about the scheming Iago and the wounded Cassio corroborates her story. Othello wounds Iago, then kills himself. Iago kills Emilia. After Iago is led away, in chains, Cassio becomes governor of Cyprus.
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