Othello
Othello is a play about tragedy, written by William Shakespeare, edited by Christopher Bentley in 1982. The society and context of Shakespeare's writing is important in understanding the play because it was dramatically influenced by the people and the society Shakespeare lived in. Shakespeare's play Othello explores a variety of aspects such as the historical context which refers to the time the text was composed and events that happened during the creation of the play, the literary context involves the style of writing and the language used throughout the play, and the social context which relates to the role of men and women, and racism. These aspects have influenced Shakespeare's writing of the play and this can be observed in Othello. Firstly, the historical context considers the attitude towards race, love and marriage, and the role of the military in Shakespeare's time, revealing some of the social and political controversies reflected in Othello. The play has been marked with risk because of the plays focus on racial prejudice and gender conflict. The play presents conflicting attitudes towards race and religion, war and the military, and love. Othello was written in the Elizabethan times and race and colou
Othello has been misjudged by his colour and people such as Iago showed negative attitudes towards him, "an old black ram" (I, i, 88). The words coming out of Othello's mouth is seen to be very powerful, he speaks as a noble and decent man "Most potent, grave, and reverend Signiors, / My very noble and approv'd good masters" (I, iii, 76-77). Iago deeply hates the Moor because he let Cassio outrank him and now Iago has to follow instructions under an inexperienced Lieutenant. The style of writing Othello is written in is prose and blank verse. Thirdly, the social context of Othello involves the roles of men and women, and racism. Othello is a black man but he is accepted in the Venetian society for his bravery and military service. Because of his colour and race, Othello feels like an outsider so he fights to succeed hoping people will accept him for who he is instead of for his colour. The woman's repressiveness is her silence in comparison to the male's role in the play. The use of blank verse can be seen when Iago says "She that was ever fair, and never proud, / Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud, / Never lackt gold, and yet never went gay, / Fled from her wish, and yet said, 'Now I may'. This shows that in the period of the Elizabethan times, many people misjudged blacks and they were seen as villains. Othello's character is mainly judged on his military skills, to the Venetians he is seen as a leader, "the warlike Moor" (II, i, 27), "our noble and valiant General" (II, ii, 1-2). Even though Othello is accepted in the Venetian society, he still strives to fit in.
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Acceptance Essays
