CRITICS CAN HAVE OPPOSING VIEWS. OTHELLO HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS ROMANTIC, NAÏVE, HEROIC AND A MERE SERVENT OF THE STATE
             USING AT LEAST OF THE TWO OF THE CRITICAL READINGS PROVIDED, COMPARE WHAT THEY SAY AND DISCUSS THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOU AGREE WITH THEIR ANALYSIS OF SHAKESPEARE'S CHARACTERISATION OF OTHELLO. YOU MUST ALSO PROVIDE A CLEAR VIEWPOINT OF YOUR OWN.
             After studying 'Othello' and the critical readings of Fintan O'Toole and A.C. Bradley, and comparing their views on Shakespeare's characterisation of Othello. I have drawn my own conclusions.
             Bradley's first sentence reads 'Othello is, in one sense of the word, by far the most romantic figure among Shakespeare's heroes.' I disagree with this statement. It appears Othello is romantic when we hear him speak.
             "It gives me wonder great as my content
             To see you here before me. O my soul's joy,
             If after every tempest come such calms" (2,1,181).
             As the character develops we realise that he is not romantic. Othello doesn't know how to be romantic; it is especially not in his nature.
             It appears that Othello had not had a lover before Desdemona, this highlights his lack of experience with women.
             The only way in which Othello is romantic is in the style in which he speaks. Although Othello denies that he is gifted with a clever way with words.
             "And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace" (1,3,83).
             It is the only way he knows to express his feelings towards Desdemona.
             "I cannot speak enough of this content;
             It stops me here; it is too much joy" (2,1,193).
             I think Othello only speaks in a romantic way towards Desdemona in order to impress her, and the Venetian people around her.
             Like Bradley I think Othello is more poetic in the way he speaks than romantic. 'One will not doubt that Othello is the greatest poet of them all.' Othello i...