Othello and Cinthio’s Tale Essay Example

handkerchief, which is regarded only as an insignificant possession of a woman in Cinthio’s tale, is given a historical background by Shakespeare.  Iago’s wife, Emilia, a very minor and passive character in Cinthio’s tale, is shown as a woman with a mind of her own by putting up an argument against her husband. With Cinthio, Emilia does not help her husband in his scheme, but she is the one who snatches the handkerchief of Desdemonia in Othello. Shakespeare also puts in additional characters that are not found in Cinthio’s narration: Roderigo, Barbantio, Ludovico, Bianca and other minor characters.

There are other parts that show Shakespeare’s deviation from Cinthio. The two plays show the lust of the Ensign, or Iago, for Desdemonia, but the plot is made complicated in Othello by Roderigo, an ardent suitor of Desdemonia. Here, Shakespeare vividly narrates the evil mind of Iago as he manipulates Roderigo and other minor characters to advance his own motives. In Cinthio, the ensign does not manipulate other character, aside from the Moor himself, to plot his revenge against the woman. The two plays also differ in the tragic end of Desdemonia and Othello. In Cinthio’s tale, Othello orders the Ensign to kill Desdemonia by hitting her with stocking filled with sand. Othello is put in prison, after the Ensign witnesses against him, and eventually killed by the woman’s relatives. In Shakespeare’s version, Othello himself kills Desdemonia. After learning the truth, Othello commits suicide.

Shakespeare’ motive for writing Othello is perhaps to emphasize the savagery of the black people during that time. The play shows the moralistic point of view that a white woman marrying a black man is

not acceptable. This notion is justified as the play ends with Othello turning savage by murdering his wife and committing suicide. On the other hand, Shakespeare may have written the play in order to show to all that the blacks are only humans that only turn savage because of the influence of their surroundings. Shakespeare elevates the image of the blacks as Othello is portrayed as a noble General of a fleet and a tragic hero that falls victim of the society. Although he commits a despicable act, he regains his nobility at the end by admitting his fault and taking his own life.

Work Cited:

Shakespeare, William. Othello. København: Teater Sthyr &Kjær, Huset i Magstræde, 2001.