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How animal imagery contributes to the emotional force of othello
Characterisation of othello
Characterisation of othello
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Imagery in the play "Othello" by William Shakespeare is to intensify characterization and define the meaning of the play. In Othello, the use of animal imagery is used multiple times by Iago to describe the relationships between humans, especially of Desdemona and Othello. Shakespeare describes the characters actions by comparing them to the similarities in animals and having animal-like qualities. By doing this readers can get an idea of what the character is doing or saying. Animal imagery was a strong device used in Othello because it helped make certain points in the play.
The first use of animal imagery was in Act One when Iago tells Desdemona's father that Othello has taken his daughter. Iago stated, "Your heart is burst. You have lost half your soul. Even now, now, very now, and old black ram is tupping your white ewe" (I.i.89-90). Shakespeare does this to create an illusion that Othello is immoral and selfish to take the virginity of a young white girl as an old black man. Iago's animal imagery is used to give Brabantio an animalistic, lustful picture of his daughter's r...
Shakespeare’s use of rhetoric by his characters is clearly used effectively in Othello through Iago’s and Roderigo’s conversation with Barbantio. The two make use of double meanings, animal imagery, Devil and God comparisons, the use of sexual references, and descriptive insults to confuse Barbantio and make him angry towards Othello. Through Iago’s initial torment, continued by Roderigo, they are able to force Barbantio to do exactly as they wish.
Literary devices play a crucial and essential role in almost all works of literature. Literary devices are techniques used by the writer in order to conjure moods and ideas within the reader. Writers use different literary devices for different purposes. One very important literary device is imagery. In imagery, words are used to invoke an image in the reader's mind. One writer that utilizes a great deal of imagery is William Shakespeare. In William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses images of poison and death to create moods of death and sorrow.
Othello in William Shakespeare's Play Most of the characters in "Othello" perceive Othello as unclean and
In Othello, The Great Chain of being is seen through the antagonist Iago who extensively uses racial prejudice and animalistic language to dehumanise Othello as an animal or beast, purely because of his complexion. In the beginning of the play, Machiavellian Iago pursues to report and persuade Brabantio of Desdemona and Othello’s secret elopement in the middle of the night. Iago abruptly bellowed, “an old black ram….is tupping your ewe” (I.I.85-86). Metaphor has been used to add more offence to Iago’s directive insult of Othello by metaphorically, comparing him to a sexually, aggressive animal in a malevont phrase. The infusion of strong animalistic descriptive language and animal imagery is used to illustrate the hostility towards Othello’s ethnicity and both Desdemona’s and Othello’s interracial marriage to which causes the audience to instinctively analyse for the character’s weaknesses. Furthermore, Iago’s incorporation of animalistic terms allowed him to control his victims, to be more susceptible to his manipulation. In the later scenes, Iago’s manipulative character is further shown when he witnessed Cassio leaving Desdemona’s room without the acknowledgement of Othello, so he used this as an opportunity to report back to Othello by manipulating Desdemona having an affair with
Before coming directly to the forming of the love-theme that differentiates Othello from other Shakespeare plays that utilize the same theme, I turn arbitrarily to Iago to inspect a distinguishing mark of his of which the relevance to thematic form in the play will appear a little later. When Iago with unperceived scoffing reminds Roderigo, who is drawn with merciless attraction to the unreachable Desdemona, that love effects an unwonted nobility in men, he states a doctrine which he “knows” is true but in which he may not “believe.” Ennoblement by love is a real possibility in men, but Iago has to view it with bitterness and to try to undermine it. (333-34)
With Roderigo, someone he commands control over, Iago employs pathos, allowing his plan to appeal to Roderigo’s sensitive emotions about Othello. Roderigo and Iago discuss about how each of them despise Othello when Iago says, “If ever I did dream of such a matter, / Abhor me” using pathos to confirm his hatred towards the General (1.2. 5-6). The play commences with Iago employing direct rhetoric and partnering up with Roderigo to enhance a sense of comradery. Harsh language such as “Abhor me”, exemplifies the hateful emotions Iago feels toward Othello as well as enhances the emotions Iago wants to appeal to in Roderigo (1.2. 6). Affecting Roderigo more influentially, Iago uses deeper, more personal pathos, by highlighting the seemingly good qualities in Roderigo. Iago contrasts Roderigo to Othello pointing out, “Let not they discreet heart think it…manners and beauties: all which the/ Moor is defective in” (2.1. 215, 219-220). Firstly, Iago weighs Roderigo’s positive qualities against Othello’s negatives ones, convincing Roderigo to feel more confident with Iago and following along with his scheme. Secondly, Iago alters this rhetoric to include Roderigo’s love interest, Desdemona. By exemplifying a more personal and sensitive side when talking about “manners and beauties”, Iago can create a bigger impact in
An author can reveal characteristics of characters in literature through several different methods. Some common methods of characterization include one’s appearance, speech, thoughts, name, actions, and emotions. However, unconventional means can also be used, such as imagery, which is visually descriptive or figurative language. In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, imagery is used to characterize central characters to the play. Firstly, Hamlet’s characteristics are revealed through the imagery of death in his speech. Secondly, Claudius’ characteristics are revealed through the imagery in the Ghost and Hamlet’s descriptions of him, as well as his own thoughts. It is through this visually descriptive and figurative language, that readers can identify characteristics of these central characters.
In everyones life there is always the one person who you think you can trust, and later come to find that they have been playing you all along. This is the exact case for Othello. Iago, whom Othello thought was a person he could trust, betrayed him in many horrific ways.As you read the famous Shakespearian play, Othello, the Moor of VeniceI, you come to realise pretty quickly that Iago is the evil charecter in this play. The readers do not actually get to see a good side of Iago, if there is any, because he is constantly using and playing people. Readers will also come to learn that no matter how evil Iago may be perceived as that he is very much a coward, using other people to do most of his dirty work for him.
If a picture tells a thousand words, than imagine the importance of an image upon a play such as Macbeth. In any literary work, it is extremely important that the author can effectively manipulate a reader's feelings towards a character. In Macbeth, that feat is accomplished magnificently by Shakespeare. Through his skillful use of imagery, Shakespeare shows us a deeper look into the true character of Macbeth. Though imagery is widespread throughout Macbeth, it is most dominant in clothing imagery, light and darkness imagery, and blood imagery. Through these images,
Othello, a valiant soldier, has a much more complex character underneath the surface of his firm rough exterior. To represent these characteristics, in the form of a colored shape, I chose to compare Othello to a square with a red-orange exterior, contrasted with an ice-blue interior. This figure, while portraying some of the more literal traits of Othello, mainly focuses on his inner emotions, and his circumstances throughout the play.
In William Shakespeare’s play “Othello” the use of animal imagery was evident throughout the telling of the story of the.. Shakespeare explained several characters actions by comparing them to similarities in animals. The characters in “Othello” were often depicted as having animal-like characteristics. Some characters were even compared to animals by other characters in the play. By defining characters in terms of these characteristics one can get a clear description of what the character is doing or saying as compared to certain animals.
Imagery is the use of symbols to convey an idea or to create a specific atmosphere for the audience. Shakespeare uses imagery in Macbeth often, the most prevalent one, is blood. I believe he uses this as a way to convey guilt, murder, betrayal, treachery and evil, and to symbolize forewarning of events.
Shakespeare utilizes imagery in the scenes of Macbeth’s grief for killing king Duncan, lady Macbeth cleaning the spot on her hand, and the voices Macbeth hears after he has finished his dark deed. Lady Macbeth
Thesis Statement: When the characters in Othello cease to use reason they lose their humanity and are associated with animal imagery. Roderigo Irrationally in love with Desdemona Wants to drown himself like "cats and blind puppies" Iago calls him a snipe Iago Irrationally jealous of Othello and Cassio Equates love with animalistic lust Encourages others to "be a man" A man is decisive A man looks out for himself A man loves himself Roderigo calls him an "inhuman dog", Lodovico a "Spartan dog" Emilia implores him to tell the truth "if thou be'st a man" Othello Irrationally jealous of Desdemona and Cassio Equates lack of reason with animals Refers to himself as a dog.
One very clear example of this can be found within Act V Scene ii and the imagery which is used to describe Desdemona, 'that whiter skin of hers than snow/ and smooth as monumental alabaster', and in the recurrent references to light, 'thou flaming minister', 'thy former light'. Further, if one views beauty and light in this context as heavenly then the animality and darkness can be seen to correspond to that which is secular, a notion which Othello communicates in the opening speech of the final scene, placing earthly notions of justice against...