Tragic Love
Antony and Cleopatra and Othello are two of many tragedies that Shakespeare crafted. They contain infamous couples that will do everything they can do be with their loved one, even if that means joining them in death. These two plays share elements of marriage or loving relationships that take the reader on journeys that begin with romance and end in tragedy created by manipulation of others. Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra and Othello expose the inevitable outcomes of a tragedy through jealousy, manipulation of others and craving power, combining and ultimately leading to the dramatic deaths of the lead characters.
Marriages or relationships come in various forms; they can be committed, ruled by jealousy, or ruled by manipulation.
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Antony is the first to commit suicide, and did so without consulting his lover Cleopatra. He is a man who is always stuck between the conflict of duty or passion for life. Antony wants to be the proper military man that he has grown up as, and keep the reputation he worked hard for years to build, while still being able to live life and have a successful relationship with Cleopatra. When “Antony attempts to justify his untoward conduct [towards Caesar] in the following terms” he is also attempting to dissociate himself from his actions, allowing him to believe he is keeping his pristine reputation (Lucking, 620). The other conflicting opposites in the play that show up for Antony are the Western and Eastern ideals. The source of the Western ideals is Caesar, and how he embodies his stoic duty, imperialism and the need to invade foreign lands for power. Meanwhile, Eastern ideals stem from Cleopatra, who enjoys theatrical grandeur, the need for the superficial and has a free flowing passion for her kingdom. After much conflict between these two opposites, Antony decides that the only way he can make the choice between the two things that he loves most is to kill himself. By making the decision of suicide, Antony dies with the idea that he is a man of integrity, self-control and purpose. Once …show more content…
Othello, a military man accustomed to regimented routines and practices, places a similar dictation on his married life. Even though he is happy in battle and leading his people, being with his wife is the place that he feels happiest. The combination of being a military man and being a lover were intertwined in Othello’s life, and once he started becoming less involved with the military, he started to feel less confident in his relationship with Desdemona. Once he found about this weakness in Othello, Iago planned an epic revenge by spreading lies about Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. After countess occasions of Iago bringing forth fake proof that Desdemona was having an affair, Othello starts going completely mad. In his madness, Othello confronts Desdemona about what has has happened between her and Cassio. Othello uses the “evidence” that Iago had given him, the handkerchief that he had once given her as a token of his love. He was told by Iago that Desdemona gave it to Cassio as a sign of her new love. She denies any accusations of this happening, because she wasn’t truly guilty of those actions. Even though Desdemona keeps stating she would never do anything like that to him, Othello is still crazy with jealousy and cannot take anymore of what he thought was her lies and smothers her to death. Shortly after, Emilia enters the room and demands to know what has
In one of Shakespeare’s most masterful pieces, he depicts a tragic love story in which love conquers all…but at what cost? The truth is in this play, love is the victor, but with horrible consequences. Love lives on, love survives, but only at the loss of life. Not only in this play, but in many other Shakespearean works, the constant theme stands that any kind of marriage or deep emotional bond which is solely based on love ends tragically. Othello’s passionate love for Desdemona is the same passion that causes him to end her life. Antony, under the suspicion that Cleopatra has died, tries to commit suicide to only find out soon after that she is alive and in hiding, but all in vain for the fatal wound has already pricked it’s victim. Shakespeare constantly relates love with tragedy, stating that love is in fact fleeting and impermanent. The only way for love to live forever is if it dies young.
Through his suggestion to Cassio, Iago can now be certain that Cassio will entreat Desdemona to petition for him with Othello. Cassio does implore Desdemona and she responds, “Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do all my abilities in thy behalf” (Act III Scene III). Iago manages to obtain the handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona that had strawberry patterns on it form Bianca. He then tells Othello to ask for the handkerchief and if she doesn’t produce it, than she must be cheating on him. Iago also manipulates the undeserving devotion of Emilia. We learn at the end of the play that Iago “begg’d of me to steal it” of Emilia. Like Desdemona’s good nature, Iago exploits his own wife for his malicious revenge. The handkerchief was the final straw for
The more Othello realizes how much would value his future with Desdemona, the more betrayed he feels. Othello begins to think that his entire investment in Desdemona is for naught, transforming Othello’s passion into spite. Iago exploits the underside of deep devotion - jealously. The emotions Othello feels - attachment, jealously, and hate - drives him mad, obscuring the logic of the situation - that Iago is only spreading fantasized rumors about Cassio and Desdemona. Instead of confronting Cassio, Othello accepts Desdemona’s treason as truth. Iago may have mastered Othello’s emotions, but Othello allows his emotions to consume him. People need to confront their feelings and not lose track of logic. Otherwise, even something as sincere as Othello’s fondness for Desdemona can turn one into a
The William Shakespeare tragedy Othello features various types of love, but none compare to the love we find between the protagonist and his wife. In this essay let us examine “love” as found in the play.
Othello is seen as a brave and loyal soldier, but is initially presented as dark and dangerous by Roderigo and Iago. To Brabantio, Othello appears to have black magical powers, but in fact, the private truth is that Othello won Desdemona with stories of "disastrous chances ... moving accidents [and] hair-breadth scapes". Othello is concerned with his reputation and upholds a strict code of honour both privately and publicly. He dismisses Cassio as soon as he discovers his officer's drunken actions. Similarly, as soon as he suspects Desdemona of adultery, Othello watches her like a hawk. Finally, the act of killing his wife is not an act of revenge for Othello, but of justice. He justifies his actions: "She must die, else she'll betray more men". Emilia initially believes that he killed Desdemona for no reason as Desdemona has appeared innocent to her throughout.
At first Othello is confident about his belief that Desdemona would never lie or cheat. This allows him to appear composed when the topic is even brought up. When Brabantio says, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee” (1.3.288-289), he says, “My life upon her faith” (1.3.290). Othello believes that Desdemona would never lie to him, even though she had lied to her father. Also, he did not act or appear mad when Brabantio says this. As a result, Iago is able to use this confidence of Desdemona not cheating on him against him. At first Iago just gets the idea in his head. He then tries to “Fetch me the handkerchief—my mind misgives” (3.4.80). Othello admits that he is doubting her loyalty. Iago told Othello that she had given the handkerchief to Cassio. At first Othello did not believe him until he realizes she truly does not have it. Once he believed this Iago was able to continue with his lie. He told Othello she has slept with him numerous times. He also tells him that he should kill her due to everything she has done. To this Othello replies, “Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned tonight; for she shall not live. No, my heart is turned to stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand” (Shakespeare 4.1.183-185). Othello admits that he believes she should be killed. Iago then induced him that he should be the one to kill her. Othello
The love of the protagonist and his wife in William Shakespeare’s trgedy Othello can not stand up against the repeated assaults of the sinister Iago. Let us in this essay search for and comment on the examples of love found in the play.
In Antony and Cleopatra, the important point one must recognize is not the battles present both in love and war, but the toe that is continuously slide across the line which Shakespeare always felt inclined to cross. There were no prototypical male or female protagonists in Shakespeare’s world. It is a factor that should always be acknowledged when stewing over this brilliant playwright’s work. Boundaries were meant to be crossed, and Shakespeare made his belief just as apparent in the sloshing of gender roles in Antony and Cleopatra.
She mentions how she physically cares for Othello, asking him to take care of himself and his body. She then uses this as a segway proving that if he trusts her council in these small matters then her advice on larger matters should hold even more weight and proof upon them. Othello agrees to her council and asks to be alone so that he may think, However Iago had different plans. Previously Desdemona had spoken to Cassio and had told him she would try to win back Othello’s favor for him, and Iago used this friendship to his advantage. After Othello had spoken to Desdemona and agreed to meet with Cassio, Iago began to whisper poisonous thoughts into his ears saying Desdemona is unfaithful. Desdemona is clueless to this change of events and continues to play in to Iago’s hands, innocently continuing to befriend Cassio and entreat Othello to accept him. Even so, she continues to love her husband even when he begins to act distant and strange. Desdemona tries again to comfort Othello when he is distraught, but this time he pushes her away, wishing not to be comforted by his wife as he is now suspicious of her. Later, Desdemona realizes her handkerchief is missing, not knowing Emilia took it as Iago had instructed her. Desdemona realizes that Othello will be cross with her, but she does not realize the torrent of frustration she has now been placed in the
Iago plants the handkerchief on Cassio. Convinced of Desdemona’s infidelity, Othello smothers his beloved wife in their marriage bed. Emilia then proves Iago’s guilt and Desdemona’s innocence to Othello. Othello stabs Iago, who is under arrest, but fails to kill him and commits suicide.
In The Tragedy of Othello, William Shakespeare tells the tale of the “noble Moor” whose honor and innocence bring about his downfall. Shakespeare writes of the power of jealousy, and the art of masterful deception and trickery. The story primarily takes place in Cyprus, during a war between the people of Venice and the invading Turks. In this play Shakespeare shows the feelings of Othello’s embittered right-hand man of, Iago, who feels he is passed over for a promotion and swears his revenge. He proceeds to manipulate his friends, enemies, and family into doing his bidding without any of them ever realizing his ultimate goal. He makes Othello believe that his new wife, the innocent Desdemona, is committing adultery with his newly promoted officer Michael Cassio. After this seed of jealousy has been planted, Othello’s mind takes its course in determining the true outcome, with a little more nudging from Iago. The course of action he proceeds to follow is one that not only ends his own life, but also the life of his wife and others. In Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Othello, Othello is a man who is still truly honorable, despite the course of action he takes to resolve his perceived problem.
Iago intends to orchestrate the demise of Cassio and Othello. On the surface, winning a promotion was the catalyst for Iago’s rage but bringing down only Cassio does not satisfy his bloodthirsty rage. Although Iago is cunning and ruthless in his pursuit to ruin Othello, the plot spins out of his control and only gains traction when his wife, Emilia unknowingly helps him. At this point Iago is poised to fail but the possession of Desdemona’s handkerchief provides a key piece of “ocular proof (Shakespeare)” that Othello requires to be convinced of Desdemona’s infidelity. Iago loses control of the situation. His stated purpose is to suppl...
From this point on, Othello insecurity manifests into a seemingly irrational fear of being cuckolded, and his self-perceived worth diminishes exponentially. Othello comments on the likelihood of Desdemona cheating, by explaining how it may be “for [he is] black / And have not those soft parts of conversation / That chamberers have…” (3.3.280-282) Othello’s frustration with the threat of being cuckolded puts strain on his relationship with Desdemona, and she quickly becomes a victim of domestic abuse. For example, Othello acts as an interrogator, demanding to see the handkerchief which he gave her that symbolizes faithfulness and commitment towards Othello. (Quotation) When she is unable to produce their symbol of trust, Othello’s anger manifests inside him. The audience is shown a stark contrast to Othello’s typically cool, collected and composted nature. This abrupt and irrational change in behaviour is emphasized when Othello strikes Desdemona in front of Lordovico, (4.1.245) Othello’s
Antony. Shakespeare proves this play a tragedy by selecting characteristics of ill-fated lovers in Antony and Cleopatra. Poor Antony turns victim to Cleopatra's enslavement, and forgets his duties in Rome. Antony is a disgrace to his Roman self, and "loses" himself to dotage" of Cleopatra. He also forgets of his marriage to Caesars sister Octavia flees back to Egypt, to Cleopatra.
When Emilia discovers Othello and Desdemona in their bedroom she demands to know what happened. Desdemona, dying in bed, still does not implicate her love in her murder before she finally dies. Othello then tells Emilia about the handkerchief, in which she tells him that he was wrong and that she had taken the handkerchief and given it to Iago. Iago then kills his wife and tries to escape but is soon captured by Lodovico, Montana, and Cassio. The truth is soon revealed, that Othello and Iago planned Cassio’s death. Othello tries to reason with the men but they will not hear any of it. Othello, overwrought with grief over what he had done, kills himself and dies on top of his wife.