Download English Essay 3

English Essay 3
“Shakespearean plays are mainly concerned with the clash between a notable individual
and his / her society.”
Use Othello to focus a discussion on the extent to which this is true.
In the play Othello by William Shakespeare Othello is a character that changes drastically
from the beginning. Othello is affected by his society from the influence of others around
him. This influence leads to his downfall and change in character. These ideas are related
to clash between Othello and Venetian society trough the theme of Racism.
Othello is a character who is a black man. He holds a significant role in charge of the
Venetian army. At the beginning of this play he is forced into a decision of choosing a
lieutenant. He chooses Cassio over Iago. We as the readers are witness to an impressive
figure who displays a fine number of qualities when making and enforcing the decision of
his lieutenant. He portrays openness sincerity a natural authority and cool headedness.
Through this we see that the society he serves is colour blind prepared to see the good in
black people and agree they have a useful role to play. The fact that he has actually risen
to the position of the army reinforces the belief of his society at this stage. Shakespeare
seems to challenge the idea of racism in the play. We as the readers would expect the
villain to be black and the hero white but in Othello it is the opposite. This reinforces that
Shakespeare was challenging the audience and reinforces the idea the Othello is an
outsider. I believe the clash between Othello and his society was something different
society was facing and that his different ness as controlled black man reinforces the
slightly different clash between character and society we as the readers would expect
however the clash is still very evident which speaks the truth of clashes being a
significant feature in Shakespearian texts.
Othello as the play progresses is affected by the racist comments of other characters and
it is through this we start to see a change in character. At the beginning of the play
positive description come from the moor himself he seems proud of his race. However as
the play progresses this changes. The racist comments from people within is army and his
society they include “an old black ram tupping your white you” it is through these
comments that we start to see how his society is affected by something so different, a
black man in charge. The comments however from Roderigo, Iago and Brabantio are
undermined because we do not respect these characters as the readers. So in my mind
these are only perhaps perceived views of what the society was like with a black man in
charge in a very white mans world. I believe the comments presented form these
characters portrays the clash that we as the readers would expect between a black man in
control of a white man world.
Othello begins to change and from the racist comments I believe contribute to his fall
from cool calm controlled to a murderous character. Towards the end of this play
Othello’s race begins to play a more important role. Iago’s racism is continuous and it
becomes insidious. Emilia, Iago wife also joins in and says “O, the more angel she, and
you the blacker devil”
This is after killing his wife which shows her disgust towards his actions. Iago signal
handily destroys the black and white harmony that existed at the beginning. We see
Othello Disgrace his wife in public when Lodovico arrives. The Physical slap and abuse
directed at her shows his complete disregard for his position he doesn’t seemed
concerned about public appearance. Although jealousy is a factor in this I believe race is
to. I feel Othello felt more and more insignificant as the play progressed and this is a way
of venting his continuing frustration towards the position he is in as becoming more and
more removed from the society and his feeling as an outsider. Through this continuing
racism and we as readers start to really believe the clash between a black man in a white
man society. This clash was a very fundamental part of the play and it is through this
clash with society that reinforces to me that clashes are very prominent in Shakespearian
texts. Another example is of course Macbeth and the clash between his society.
Shakespeare has presented to us, the readers an interesting and different character. We
have been witness to the change in Othello and I believe race played a big role. The racist
comments by characters have also contributed. Othello is seen as an outsider a white man
serving a black man world. It would be hard for Othello in my mind to carve out a place
for himself in society, because the society will never truly accept him for who he is. I
believe this clash between him an his society his very important feature of this play and it
shows of significant racism. Shakespeare clashes presented are very important as I was
able understand the text on the whole a lot better