THE DOWNFALL OF OTHELLO AS CAUSED BY IAGO Iago is one of Shakespeare s most intriguing and credible villains. Iago can be perceived as either evil or brilliant in his plans to be deemed lieutenant. As the villain in Othello , Iago has two main actions: to plot and to deceive. Iago is mad that Cassio was chosen to be lieutenant instead of himself. From this anger comes the main conflict of the play.
However, even once Richard realises he can do nothing to prevent his defeat, he asserts that he would rather fulfil his hellish role with pride than retreat in cowardice. Richard is able to influence and control those around him as a result of each individual’s desire for power. Yorkist society, as it is portrayed by Shakespeare, is one that emphasises structure, hierarchy and the importance of power, and this leads to a nobility full of self-absorbed, parochial beings. Richard believes he has been “cheated… by dissembling nature” and that the only compensation for his deformity can come through control over others – to him it seems like his right in place of the ability to “caper nimbly in a lady’s chamber”. Buckingham, Richard’s accomplice and “other self”, is also interested in furthering his political standing, and he decides that siding with Richard will be the most effective
Later, he describes himself as "Deformed, unfinished, sent before his time into this breathing world, scarce half made up." The deformity, which has been shown to have been exaggerated or even deliberately faked in portraits of Richard III, is given as the source of his evil ways. He says that as he "cannot prove a lover" he is "determined to be a villain." While everybody makes fun of Richard, and thinks that he is not able to achieve anything, he shows everyone that even though he is handicapped, he can achieve the highest power, to be King. Richard overcompensates his inferiority.
Upon his characterisation of the protagonist, Prospero, Shakespeare leaves various parallels between Prospero and himself through Prospero’s creation of the enigma that is the tempest. A parallel is also made apparent between Prospero and James the 1st in that they were both rulers by divine right and delved into peculiar philosophies. Shakespeare utilises the tempest as an allusion within an illusion. The political relevance of the tempest is very lucid; he addresses the political instability amongst the nobles of the play as a connotation to the current political problems in Jacobean England. The short terse sentences along various repetitions and imperatives serve to denote calamity in the ship.
“To be or not to be, that is the question; whether’ tis nobler in the mind to suffer...” (Shakespeare Act 3, Scene 1). This quotation proves Hamlet becomes inferior to others and the environment through his madness, causing him to express himself explicitly towards others. Hamlet’s madness not only causes his loved ones lives but it allows his “end” to come because he accepts every challenge from his opponent. Hamlet’s madness not only affects him but Ophelia, who is mentally torn apart by Hamlet. Ophelia was once flawless, but since her encounter with Hamlet she has fallen into the same madness and wants to kill herself.
Don Pedro’s loyalty towards his friend Claudio has portrayed him as an insensitive character regarding his comments about Hero. Don Pedro is so quick to believe that he has been “dishonour’d” by Hero that he clearly overlooks the fact that his villainous brother Don John, who has in fact lied before, is simply tricking him again. Some may regard Don Pedro as being loyal and trying to give what is best for his friend, but most think that Don Pedro’s actions portray him as an insensitive character who jumps to conclusions rather quickly. So once again, Don Pedro’s intention of trying to help do what is best for his friend, is
Othello Intro The tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare between 1601 and 1604, in England. It is set in the late sixteenth century, during the wars between Venice and Turkey. The play focuses mostly around Iago and Othello, and Iago’s evil plans to bring down Othello. A central character is a character that has a major role, is most probably the protagonist, and drives the action (i.e. with his or her energy, ideas, and actions).
Richard shows a dangerous capacity for poor judgment and fascination with luxury, which deviate from the expectations of royalty. The servile followers that Richard is surrounded by also play an integral role in his incompetence. Moreover, there is mirrored imagery when Shakespeare discusses Bolingbroke’s determination to depose Richard with the Earl of Essex’s rebellion to overthrow Queen Elizabeth. However, the Earl of Essex’s rebellion was unsuccessful, as his supporters had deserted him before arriving at London whereas Bolingbroke’s uprising was successful due to the support of the nobles. Bolingbroke strives to preserve his family honour and retrieve his rightful land, thus his ambitions prove him to be a competent co-ordinator.
It has been argued by Goethe that the reason Hamlet failed to avenge his father’s death was because he did not have the inner or physical strength. He argues Hamlet does not have the attributes of a hero. But this can be argued because all throughout the play Hamlet demonstrates that he has the strength, emotionally and physically. Therefore it is obvious that the only reason hamlet did so was because he was a man of great philosophy, so typically he thought too much, and in doing this it became the tragic flaw in his character. Which everyone knows will lead to his downfall.
Shakespeare's Presentation of Othello as Responsible for his Own Downfall Shakespeare’s Othello consists of the themes betrayal, love and dishonesty. At the centre of this play is the tragic downfall of Othello at the hands of his so called friend Iago. In this essay I will be discussing the reasons for and against Othello being responsible for his downfall through looking at critical interpretations of his character and actions. In some ways you could say that Othello was highly responsible for his own downfall as he was easily manipulated by Iago showing him to be gullible and naïve. Iago manipulates Othello by making him suspicious through inference, “Ha I like not that”.