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characterise shakespeares plays short topic
literary analysis of shakespeare
Analysis of Shakespeare
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It has been inform from various studies that Americans tell an average of 11 lies a week. Knowing that, it is understandable that a person lies at least almost everyday. Whether it was a white lie or a pro social lie, it is still overall a lie. Sometimes in life you may have come upon, or go through, a lie that has been stacked up other lies. Not knowing the truth, it can create confusion or worse, even death. In Shakespeare's Othello, Cassio's loyalty to Othello was so strong that he didn't even realize lies by another character were going to lead him to being murdered.
Michael Cassio is a young and inexperience soldier, but even so, he was Othello's loyal and honest lieutenant. Because of his high position, he was greatly resented by Iago. Iago had devised an evil plan to take out Cassio of his posititon and hurt Othello at the same time, as he had said that in Act 1, scene 3, line 383, "Cassio's a proper man. Let me see how to get his place and to plumb up my will in double knavery?" He continues to tell his plan in line 386, "After some time, to abuse Othello's ear that he is t...
Implicitly targeting Othello’s doubts about marrying Desdemona and insecurities about her actions with infidelity, Iago eventually impacts Othello enough that the General himself confides in Iago about his own wife. Earlier in the play, ‘honest Iago’ needs to first gain Othello’s confidence and he does so by expressing his loyalty to Cassio, “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio”, while Othello is present in a conflict (2.3. 203-204). Then, later in the play Iago baits Othello by suggesting that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Immediately, Othello wants more information; however, Iago nervously responds with, “…vicious in my guess-/ As I confess…” and tries to calm Othello by saying, “My noble lord-” (3.3 46-47, 93). When voicing his devotion to Cassio, Iago immediately begins to play on his false reputation as ‘honest Iago’. He enables Othello, and his fellow characters, to think highly of him and to respect that even when his partner, Cassio, has not been following orders, Iago would even endure physical pain and have his “tongue cut from [his] mouth” and proves his locality (2.3. 203). This leads to when Iago responds to Othello’s queries, about
To better understand Iago’s effect on these different characters, it is important to look in to his own character. Iago’s motives are not clear, however, it is true that he despises Othello, and that he is jealous of the fact that Michael Cassio had taken over the role of lieutenant; a role that Iago wanted very badly. It is in the beginning of the play that Iago confesses to follow Othello but not be loyal to him,
In “The Ways We Lie” by Stephanie Ericsson, the author uses her knowledge to talk about the different ways of lies and how those lies affect the liar, as well as the people who had been told lies. According to the author’s essay, there are 10 types of lies that people encounter every single day: the White Lie, Facades, Ignoring the Plain Facts, Deflecting, Omission, Stereotypes and Cliches, Groupthink, Out-and-Out Lies, Dismissal, and Delusion. Throughout the essay, it is connoted that people are lying in various ways even though they are not intended to. I had been taught that lying is a bad habit. According to Ericsson, there are many types of lie and I did three of them in my life: the White Lie, Omission, and Out-and-Out Lies; however, I can defend my lies for good purposes.
They may even argue that Iago’s control over Othello is unreasonable because Iago was the only one to procure any evidence or approached him with the matter. However, C. F. Burgess has a great counter-argument for that claim and does a great job explaining the rationale behind it, “Othello has been conditioned to expect absolute loyalty and honesty from his subordinate.” This expectation of absolute loyalty left Othello blind to the smaller subtleties in Iago’s intentions, ultimately allowing Iago to control Othello. In Act 2 Iago deceives Othello into demoting Cassio not by stating outright that Cassio has done something wrong, instead by appearing conflicted. Iago tells Othello that “[He would] rather have this tongue cut from [his] mouth than it should do offense to Michael Cassio.” which creates the false image of concern for Cassio. By constructing the interaction play out like it did Shakespeare demands attention to Iago’s flair for deception, and also warns that deceit is also leading someone into making false
Cassio is newly promoted as Othello's lieutenant at the beginning of the play even though he has little experience on the field, '. This position is what triggers Iago's inferiority complex, so he plans the bring Cassio down. One can easily say that through the course of this tragedy, Cassio's fortunes change considerably. In Act I, he is Othello's loyal and trusted lieutenant. In Act II, he is Othello's loyal friend in Cypress and respectful admirer of Desdemona but in Act II, Scene III, is manipulated to fight Roderigo, hitting him and Montano, and consequently losing his position as Othello's "lieutenant".
“One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damned in a fair wife, that never set a squadron in the field, nor the division of a battle knows, more than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric, where in the togèd consuls can propose as masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election; and I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds Christian and heathen, must be beleed and calmed by debitor and creditor. This counter-caster, he, in good time, must his lieutenant be” Iago, (1.1.21-34). Clearly jealous of the choice of Othello giving Cassio the military job Iago felt most suited for. Throughout the play, Iago’s amorality is seen and shown through his own actions. These actions, though, resemble the characteristics of a psychopath. Managing to fit in with major psychopathic traits, including lack of empathy, pathological lying, conning and manipulative, glib and superficial
Iago elaborates a master plan to get Cassio position as a lieutenant. Iago get Cassio drunk so he could fight Roderigo. Othello then discharge Cassio from the lieutenant position when he says, How must poor Cassio have felt? To lose all he had worked for, working up his reputation that any half-hearted human can tell he earned and deserved. Iago know that Othello who ask him about the deed because of he fame of being a honest man. Iago tell Othello about the deed winning his trust that is when Iago starts to crab Othello by his weak point his Love for Desdemona.
Not only does Iago hate Othello, he also has a strong hatred for Cassio. His hatred for Cassio also has to do with the want for power. There was a position open under Othello and the two soldiers it came down to when considering who may receive the position were Cassio and Iago. Iago believed he worked extremely hard to earn the position, and he considered himself to be a strong, capable candidate to feel the position of general's second in command. Iago is not able to understand why Cassio was given the position over him because Cassio is a math guy, and Iago thinks of himself as the next
The character of Micheal Cassio is easily manipulated. He is very involved with his work as leutenant in Othello's army. He also continues to see the good in people even when they do him wrong. He continues to stay loyal to Othello, even after his is puplicaly humiliated and stripped of his duties by the Moor."Thy honesty and love doh mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee, But nevermore be officer of mine." ( Act 2 Sc. 3, pg. 97) His public displays of weakness also make him a likely target for manipulation.
The situation above leaves an opening for Iago to fulfill his vital plan to bring down Othello through Desdemona. Cassio was a mental wreck and told Iago that his reputation was ruined. Iago told him that he can get his rank back through Desdemona and get back on Othello's good side. "Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again (p. 54)." Once Cassio talks to Desdemona, Iago will speak with Othello and get him to think of his wife's trust. In Act three Scene three Iago is speaking to Othello and warns him to look out for Cassio and Desdemona. Othello asks Iago if it was just Cassio that left from speaking with his wife.
Othello by William Shakespeare, shows the true meaning of struggling in life personally, mentally, and physically. Michael Cassio is faced with numerous challenges that develop after an envious man, Iago, becomes upset over Cassio’s new role as a lieutenant. As a result of Iago being devious and vengeful, he develops a plan to destroy the marriage of his enemy, Othello and ruin Cassio’s life and reputation in the process. Cassio is naive to the fact that he is being targeted by Iago and tries to regain his position back after he suffers the loss of it. By seeking the help of the general’s wife, Cassio naively plays into Iago’s devious plan to destroy his life. There are several songs that Cassio would relate to and enjoy, because he is able
He is perceived as “honest” Iago, but this is a product of his deception. He claims to be motivated by truth and never completely tells a lie; yet, he is committed to telling the truth for his own purposes. Moreover, he is two-faced. His narcissistic side is seen in asides, where he divulges schemes to ruin Othello and Cassio. Beginning to plan their downfall, Iago reveals, “But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do, as if for surety. He holds me well; The better shall my purpose work on him. Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now: To get his place, and to plume up my will In double knavery.” (1.3.557-62). He purposely misleads people to trust that he is honest out of love for them, but his deeper intent is to bring about their destruction and his
Othello has had Iago as his ensign for many years. They have gone to battle many times over. In war, every little thing can affect the outcome, everything is vital information. During this time, Othello, when he was upset or unsure of what to do, has learned to trust and listen to Iago’s insights about strategy and war. Othello shows that his trust in Iago extends beyond the battlefield when he asks Iago to take care of his wife during the voyage to Cyprus. It’s this trust that backfires on him. When Othello hears Iago’s off hand remark about Cassio, he trusts that Iago would not have said anything if it wasn’t something to worry about. Then, Iago, knowing how Othello thinks of his character, makes Othello think there is more to his thoughts than he is willing to speak of. Iago knows just what to say and how to articulate it to make Othello think the worst. He even manages to look like a friend who wants to keep...
Iago longs to hurt Othello. He is Othello's footsoldier, an ancient, his right-hand man, and long-time friend. Iago was enraged when Othello did not promote him to lieutenant, choosing instead the handsome, young, affluent, Cassio. Iago felt that he was more entitled to the position than Cassio. Cassio was a brillant strategist, but had very little experience on the battlefield. Iago, on the other hand, had an abundance of battle experience and felt that he was passed over only for appearances' sake. This idea may very well be true. Othello needed someone who would make him look better in the eyes of important state officials and people of high standing in the community. The Moor was a black man, a fact that is often referred to in the play and which also causes Othello much insecurity. He saw his race as a drawback and something that could prevent him from gaining further success. So Michael Cassio was the perfect "face" to bring along to state functions; the perfect white face. He was a very presentable, educated, good-looking man from a middle-class background. To get back at the Moor, Iago decides to poison his mind against his wife and against Michael Cassio, by conjuring up images of an illicit sexual affair between the two.
Cassio trust of Iago is what makes Cassio get fooled by Iago so easily. His character is trusting and kind, and Iago uses this to the best of his abilities as seen throughout the play. His anger towards Cassio is what gives him the drive to start the plan and eventually remove Cassio from his role as lieutenant. Cassio has no doubt and automatically assumes responsibility without questioning anything. His trusting character is what Iago uses because of how unsuspecting he is and easy to fool. Together all of these explanations create a perfect combination for Iago to take advantage of, and trick Cassio throughout the