The Importance Of The Shadow In Shakespeare's Othello

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"Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow. The shadow is what we think it is and the tree is the real thing." Abraham Lincoln projected this statement to mean that sometimes the appearance of a person is not inevitably the reality of who they are. In Shakespeare 's play Othello, this point is illustrated by the passionate love and extreme hatred in the play which brings out the truth inside of each and every character and situation. In Shakespeare 's play Othello, the world is governed more by appearance than reality, as the characters and situations are more than they transpire. Firstly, Desdemona who appears to be unfaithful to Othello but in reality she is being faithful. Secondly, the harsh character Iago, who seems to be an honest …show more content…

Othello is a very calm person. This is shown at the beginning of the play when Brabantio suspects Othello of using black magic to marry his daughter nether the less Othello stays calm. After Brabantio tries to fight with Othello for marrying his daughter, he screams at him and says things like "Would ever have, y ' incur a general mock," (1.2.71). Instead of Othello getting angry and fighting back he says, " Whither will you that I go/To answer this your charge?” (1.2.86-87). From this interaction Othello’s calm personality is revealed. Instead of getting angry and fighting he decides to settle this dispute peacefully and goes to court. Othello’s calm and peaceful personality does not last long. After Iago gets under his skin, his persona changes dramatically. Othello becomes a mean, hateful and easily angered person and he allows himself to be lured into believing anything. The example of this in the play is when he believes Iago that Desdemona is having an affair. When he confronts her, it easily illustrates the ‘new’ person he becomes. When he confronts Desdemona and she rightfully denies it, he is easily angered and screams “Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell” (4.2.43). This shows the power Iago’s words have on Othello; that now he has changed to a more temperamental person. These points bring out the truth in …show more content…

Firstly, Desdemona appears to be having an affair with but in reality she is being faithful. Secondly, the cruel character Iago who everyone believes is an honest person but in truth is an evil conniving person. Finally Othello, who at the beginning of the play is generally calm, cool and collected but at the end he becomes a ‘new’ person. This concept of appearance verses reality could be relevant in anyone 's life. Just think about something and say to yourself is it truly what it appears to

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