Download Shakespearean dramas are often studies of human frailty

Shakespearean dramas are often studies of human frailty.
Use Othello to focus a discussion on the extent to which this is true.
You may confine your discussion to Othello or include other Shakespearean plays
you have studied.
Shakespeare’s dramas are frequently concerned with human frailty, but perhaps none
to the extent of the drama Othello. In Othello, all major storylines depend upon the
frailty of the human characters involved – beginning with the frailty of the characters
in failing to see through the façade of ‘honest Iago’, to the frailty of Othello in being
easily manipulated by the deceitful Iago, and finally, the death of the beautiful but
fragile Desdemona at the hands of her husband, and her inability to defend herself.
Fantastic introduction clearly signposts your points. Only thing missing would
perhaps be an explanation of your definition of human frailty?
Iago’s behaviour throughout this play has bee described as “motiveless maglicancy”
make sure you spell this correctly! by critic Coleridge– that is, he purposely caused
suffering and pain to other characters throughout the play, with no true motive. Iago
does toy with some minor reasons for his behaviour, such as the promotion of
Michael Cassio over himself “I have already chose my officer. / And what was he? /
Forsooth, a great arithmetician, /One Michael Cassio”. In reality, however, the extent
of the suffering he causes is immeasurable compared to the motives. The most
significant part of the behaviour in regards to impact it has on the story line is the
inability of all characters in the novel play! to see through it. Iago is constantly
referred to as “honest Iago”, and is considered a wonderful friend and comrade. This
reflects human frailty – the characters are unable to see the cause of their misery even
though it is blatantly obvious to the viewer of the play. This frailty lasts right up until
Act 5 Scene II, where the actions of Iago are finally revealed by the realisations of
Emilia, Iago’s wife. This reflects how frail the human characters in the play truly are
– the actions of Iago had to be made blatantly clear to all characters before they would
realise – they did not pick up on the subtle signs of Iago’s behaviour, as this is a
typical part of the frailty of humans – they do not notice things until it is too
late.interesting discussion – needs a couple of specific examples of the ‘frail’
characters who don’t see through him. And ‘blatantly’ is a bit chatty for a formal
essay!
Iago’s behaviour leads on to another example of human frailty in Othello – the
jealousy of Othello caused by the manipulation by Iago leads to the gradual mental
deterioration of Othello to the point where he becomes an entirely different husband
to Desdemona and a complete contrast to the Othello at the beginning of the play
(there is foreshadowing of this in Act II – he says to Desdemona “But I do love thee;
and when I love thee not, /Chaos is come again” – this chaos is the insanity that he is
undergoing due to the frailty of his mind)why is this point in brackets – if it’s a good
point worth making, don’t hide it in parenthesis!. The frailty begins to show in Act III
scene iii, as the formally strong, rational, and powerful Othello states “I have a pain
upon my forehead, here”. This physical pain is symbolic of the mental deterioration
he is undergoing, due to the mind games of Iagogood point – Iago states one thing, yet
done another. His prime intention is to make Othello as jealous as possible, yet warns
Othello of the dangers of jealousy “O! Beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the greeney'd monster /which doth mock/ the meat it feeds on”. This behavior contributes to the
mental decline of Othello – no matter how strong and powerful he is, as a human, he
is just as vulnerable to the manipulation of Iago as any other character in the play.well
written
Desdemona is the frailest character in the play – she is a tender, gentle, kind woman,
who is ruled over by her husband in this patriarchal society. She must obey him
without questioning his authority – she calls him “my Lord”, which reflects the status
he holds over her. Her weakness and frailty in this society is obvious. However,
combined with the fragility of other characters, such as the inability of most
characters to see through Iago’s façade, and Othello’s frailty in regards to the jealousy
caused by Iago, results in Desdemona’s murder. In summary, Iago’s unnoticed
behaviour drives Othello to such severe jealousy that it results in the murder of
Desdemona. Desdemona is unable to defend herself – when Emilia asks who has
murdered her, Desdemona even replies “I, myself”, reflecting that as a wife she is so
frail that she cannot even accuse her husband publically of murder. The fact a feather
pillow is used to suffocate Desdemona is also symbolic of her frailty – the soft pillow
could cause Desdemona’s death, because she as a person was even softer, and more
fragile. Well done
Shakespeare appears to have an interest in human frailty and its consequence. Society
itself appears to be frail in order to not be able to see through Iago’s façade, Othello is
mentally fragile in order to be driven to madness by jealousy, and Desdemona’s
frailness as a female victim of a patriarchal society. The idea of frailty is so significant
in this play, that each of these events are linked to form the major plotline of the play.
A thorough discussion of the play’s theme and characters, well done. Just be careful
to always express your points clearly and to include specific examples and quotations
where needed to support your points. Well done.