Essays On Play

Introduction Jotirao Phule, a prominent social reformer from 19th century Maharashtra, was criticized during his lifetime for inciting animosity among nonbrahmins through his unconventional interpretation of Indian history and ancient texts. Detractors mocked his limited understanding of grammar and philosophy. Phule’s outspoken condemnation of the Brahmins, understandably, alienated him from the upper classes and government […]

As a tragic hero, Othello should be viewed within the context of Aristotle’s Poetics, within which contains the theories of tragedy and the traits a tragic hero must possess to ensure his downfall. These are seen as flaws which cause the hero’s own downfall regardless of external influences. It is undeniable that Othello bears some […]

Many of William Shakespeare’s tragedies portray characters that eventually experience misfortune by the end of the play. Othello is a prime example of depicting various characters that each come to their own downfall because of a critical weakness. In the play, Othello’s mislead insecurities in his wife’s love for him, Roderigo’s foolish trusting nature, and […]

This soliloquy brings Act One of Othello to a rousing and ominous close. The whole first Act we have been made aware of Iago’s feelings of animosity towards “the Moor” (Shakespeare l. 368) but it is here where we finally see, unmasked, his utter disgust for Othello, and Iago’s need to gain revenge. Shakespeare’s language […]

Shakespeare uses the dramatic device of soliloquy to present his characters’ inner thoughts and feelings. It is through these speeches that the audience can see and perhaps relate to the sometimes dark or forbidden feelings of the characters. Iago’s soliloquies establish him as a tragic villain through the way in which they reveal his misanthropic […]

Religion and race are both familiar themes in Elizabethan literature; Shakespeare and Marlowe among other playwrights included many characters of different races and religions throughout their theatrical work. In this essay I will attempt to explore the idea of representation of race and religion in two of the set plays. The plays I am studying […]

Lines 130 to 177 in act 1, scene 3 of the Othello play is what encompasses Othello’s speech to the Duke, the senators and Brabantio. Othello and Brabantio were present in front of the Duke and the senators, basically because Othello was being accused of witchcraft, since there was no other reason why a beautiful […]

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the tragedy of a man plagued by his own thoughts unfolds. At first, Iago lures Othello into believing his wife is unfaithful. Othello succumbs quickly and unknowingly aligns himself with evil. From hereon, Othello is determined to find any evidence to confirm that Desdemona is a prostitute. Once he marries evil […]

Jealousy, once implanted, rapidly grows and often leads to destruction. Its devastating power in Othello arises from various sources within the human psyche: sexual tensions, financial greed, and an obsession for power. These factors lay the groundwork for jealousy among the male characters, ultimately consuming them with resentful intentions. Shakespeare’s play, Othello, is considered didactic […]

Othello, a tragic play written by William Shakespeare, is one that represents many characters who experience troubles and misfortune. There are, in fact, some characters in Othello who cause their own misfortune, due to a flaw in their personality. Othello’s love and jealousy blurs his judgement, in addition to his excessive pride. Roderigo is foolish […]

The theme of racism is prominently portrayed in Othello by William Shakespeare, showcasing European society’s attitude towards individuals who differed in terms of color, race, and language. In this European society, those with white complexions were the majority, while all other races were deemed less important and inferior. Several characters in this play embody this […]

The play “Othello” by Shakespeare exemplifies the theme of deception through friends. The play’s main antagonist, Iago, employs manipulation to ensnare all the characters, including his wife, Emilia, in a complex web of deceit. Tragically, the falsehoods perpetrated by one individual lead to numerous fatalities. The play serves as a stark reminder of the devastating […]

The theme on manipulation and deception is central to both the characters and plots of Shakespeare’s Othello and Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. Though story line and context of the two plays is very different, similarities can be found through the theme of manipulation and deception. Both of these plays contain events of manipulation sometimes manipulating […]

l ‘Be a man’, how are ideas of masculinity presented in Othello. Othello is set during the Elizabethan era, where men were considered to be the leaders and women their inferiors. Women were often regarded as the ‘weaker sex’. This patriarchal society and theme of male superiority is portrayed throughout the play. These themes are […]

Othello is considered one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, centered around the manipulative Iago and the virtuous Desdemona. Iago employs various techniques to corrupt the play’s protagonist, Othello. Although it is evident that Iago taints Othello’s virtue and plans to ensnare them all through their goodness turning into darkness, it cannot be argued that Iago was […]

In many of his works, William Shakespeare explores ideas of gender differences and racial tensions. Othello, a play whose characters are judged again and again based on appearances and outward characteristics, is one such work. The protagonist’s different ethnic background provides a platform for probing ideas of racial conflict. Similarly, the presence of well-developed yet […]

Marital destruction out of dysfunctional marriage and Othello’s characters William Shakespeare is(1564-1616) widely regarded as the greatest writer in the history of English literature and the most pre-eminent dramatist around the world. Among all his works, many literary critics regard Othello as the peak of his tragedies. Othello is not only a tragedy of family, […]

Summary of Iago’s second soliloquy: Iago’s second soliloquy is very revealing as it offers further insight into his motives. The extent of Iago’s hatred and contempt is suggested. It is weakness of his that he allows hatred to consume him in this way, using it as a driving force behind his action. It shows him […]

The role of women in the play is to emphasize the challenges faced by the male characters, but I believe it has the opposite effect. The play strongly emphasizes women as possessions and promotes female submissiveness. Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca, the three women in the play, are all rejected by their partners. In a contemporary […]

In great stories, an essential aspect of a compelling protagonist is their unique individuality. This individuality often gives rise to conflicts that drive the plot. Both Othello and Peekay exemplify this distinctive quality, which leads them to either overcome or be destroyed by these conflicts. Their distinctiveness causes them to confront conflicts like protagonist vs. […]

Tragedies often focus on a tragic hero who has a flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall. That flaw is commonly referred to as a tragic flaw that is inborn to the person and can mirror his background. In Aristotle’s Poetics, he discusses the theory of tragedy and what criteria is essential in an ideal […]

In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Hecate says, “And you all know security is mortal’s chiefest enemy. ”(3. 5. 32-33). Security, is translated into modern English as “overconfidence”, so Hecate is saying that overconfidence is one main downfall that humans face. Although a ten-page, smarter sounding college level definition could probably be found, the […]