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Representation Of Women In Literature
Representation Of Women In Literature
Literary devices and their effects
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Words have a tremendous effect on any person or any situation, especially if used cleverly. In the play Othello we can see that Iago has the ability to use the power of words along with imagery for malicious purposes, but due to his effective use of language the other characters considers him to be an honest and moral person. In this essay I will firstly state how imagery and the power of words complement each other and then provide examples with explanations regarding the influence of language in the play Othello.
According to Damascelli (2012) “The importance or predominant personality of one character over the others can be brought out in several different ways, for example through the use of long soliloquies.” This statement from Damascelli
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In Act 1 scene 3 line 166 Othello says “And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake”. When looking at this line and previous lines it becomes clear that through stories of his heroic deeds, Othello was able to make Desdemona fall in love with him. Thus, it can be perceived that not even in this tragic play do words only cause devastation but they may also be the cause of love. When looking at words that hold any form of positive power in the play it becomes palpable that Emilia’s lines at the end of the play should be observed. According to Osherow (2012) it was essential for Emilia to speak at the end of the play because the word that she speaks becomes the voice of the audience. Women were not held in high regard during this period in history and then in giving these few words at the end of the play to Emila the playwright lets her be the link between the lies and the truths. This link towards the truth may seem unimportant in the larger scope of things at first, but in reality it is as vital as any malicious line spoken by Iago because these words implicates Iago as the villain but also empowers the female …show more content…
When looking at Act 1 Scene 1 lines 86 – 87 Iago uses the image of an old black ram mating with a white ewe when describing how Desdemona eloped with Othello. Iago uses these words to create a vulgar image concerning Brabanzio’s daughter to evoke his anger so that he will react irrationally. The words that Iago makes use of reveals a racial stigma that he haves towards Othello, but it is also used as foreshadowing technique with regards to Othello’s insecurities.
As a consequence of the words and imagery being used, it becomes clear that words have power over all of the characters and their actions in Othello. In the play we see themes of love, deception, feminism, etc. all manifest themselves in the forms of words. These words would then later show us the extent of their influence over the characters especially with regard to life and death. Both Emilia and Desdemona die because of words that were spoken, Emilia dies for the reason that she tells the truth and Desdemona dies due to the lies being told about
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.
The presentation of moral issues in Othello focuses on Emilia’s courage to challenge the social and religious morality of their time in Act 4, Scene 3. For instance, Emilia’s Speech establishes cynicism towards men as Shakespeare’s lexical choice of ‘would not’ demonstrates that with the contraction displayed, Emilia is willing not to ‘marry.’ Therefore, her courage presents a moral issue in the play because challenging the social and religious morality of her time establishes that she disobeys the main principle that “Wives submit…to husbands and the Lord.” She knows that marriage is an obligation and her refusal demonstrates she has “Sense like the men....
The biggest things that one notices in the plot, are the great losses incurred by Othello. A key loss of Othello was that of his best companion, his wife, Desdemona. Desdemona was the closest person to him; no one can get closer to a guy than his wife. They were able to share their thoughts with each other and that is very powerful. The unfortunate part to it was that it only took a couple untruthful words from Iago to change Othello's opinion of her. "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!/ It is the green eyed monster…" (III, iii). From words like this, and just a little more suggestions, Othello killed his wife. Its hard to believe that just a few well-placed words like this started a chain reaction that caused great harm to Othello.
Desdemona is a stunning, youthful, white, Venetian debutante. She is her father's pride and joy, but she refuses to marry any of the rich, handsome Venetian men that her surroundings expects her to spend the rest of her life with. Instead, she elopes with Othello – an older black man, an outsider to Venetian society. Turns out, this is a pretty intrepid move – Desdemona not only defies her father's expectations (that she marry a white man of his choosing), she also thumbs her nose at a society that largely disapproves of interracial marriages. In this way, Desdemona's relationship with Othello speaks to the play's concerns with Sixteenth Century attitudes about sex, gender, and race. Desdemona withholds many attributes to the play Othello by Shakespeare. She leads on a perfect life, as the perfect woman, but will it last forever?
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
Picture this- William Harold Shakespeare, the most coveted playwriter in the history of the world, sitting at his desk, perspicaciously pondering over what shall become his most prominant and delicated tragedy of yet. Of course, given what little is known about Shakespeere displays, such deepseated imagery cannot simply be accomplished without first the propriety of haste and vinction.And yet, his very own rhetorical vibe displays allows such a vague pictoration to be concieved. Throughout the whole of Othello, the great Shakespeare remarks through an astounding displays show of pronouns, allitteration, and cacophonous diction his own resentment of both the King of Italy and the poor conditions of the said novelist.
Emotions have some control over our actions. However, there are other factors that influence what we do. In the play Othello though, emotions have way more power over the characters' actions. For example, the actions committed by characters consumed by love are greatly amplified. Another example of this is that the characters in the play that are consumed by jealousy go to far greater lengths than one normally would to quench their thirst for vengeance. The last instance that proves this is that the actions of characters overcome by despair are based solely on their hopelessness. These three points all help to show that in the play Othello, Shakespeare exaggerates how much our actions are affected by the major emotions of love, jealousy, and despair.
This contrasts with the innocent "white ewe" description that is often ascribed to Desdemona. These animal references continue in Iago's second soliloquy: "Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me/ For making him egregiously an ass" (2.1.330-331). First, Iago calls Othello "the Moor", a racist reference to Othello's African background. Next, Iago announces his plan to make Othello thank him, not knowing that Iago is the cause of destruction. The word "ass" continues to reference Othello's allegedly animal-like nature. Iago uses these racist, connotative words to undermine Othello as justification of his barbaric
Diction is the author's choice of words, taking into account correctness, clearness, and effectiveness. Shakespeare's works focus on human problems and resolving them. The use of Shakespeare’s diction throughout Othello is very unique because he is very clear in the emotions and the plans of characters. He lays out what a character's plan is before he acts it out. He also has a tendency to retell the recent events. These subtle hints allow the reader to foreshadow and develop a feel for each character. The intimations of what’s to come is prominently seen through Iago’s soliloquies. He often speaks openly of his plan for revenge that only the reader will know. This in turn creates dramatic irony. The effect of this type of diction is that the reader has a clearer and comprehensive understanding of what exactly is going on. He uses imagery several times in the describing of various people as animals or in terms of comparing things. Most of the imagery pertains to Othello and his various travels or especially his jealousy. This use of imagery and diction is effective because in addition to having merely an idea of what is going on the reader can have a mental picture as well. These strong bouts of imagery are beneficial to the work as a whole because they give strong pictures in which the general action of the work can be amplified, which is something Shakespeare strives for. The women in the story: Desdemona and Emilia, play an important role in the theme of the story. It is possible to establish a clear relation behind Shakespeare’s diction towards each of these women and the theme of ignorance behind a man’s view of the women in his life, and misconceptions of what love truly is.
References to black and white carry the most weight and contribute much to the actions of the characters; those colors often are used as a comment on race, on good and evil, on sexuality, or a combination of the three. The play does not proceed far into the first scene without a racial statement, where Iago informs Brabantio that Othello and Desdemona have run away together: “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/ Is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.85-86). Iago refers to Othello as a “black ram” and to Desdemona as a “white ewe,” pointing out the differences in skin color (since Othello is a Moor). A ram, since it has horns, can also be symbolic of the devil; therefore, Iago makes Othello devil-like and racially different at the same time. Additionally, the color black is often seen as evil or bad, whereas white is seen as good and pure. Since the black ram is “tupping,” or mounting, the white ewe, Iago is making a reference to the sexual act of Othello, black, taking Desdemona's virginity, white and pure. Planting an image like this in Brabantio's mind causes him to react negatively towards the marriage, and because Othello is darker-skinned, it makes the situation worse....
In Act three, Scene three, Desdemona agrees to speak to Othello in Cassio’s behalf) As Desdemona and Cassio discuss Cassio’s loss of rank and trust in Othello’s eyes. Iago brings to Othello’s attention the discussion taking place between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago knowing full well why the discussion is happening. Iago hints the pair seems to be spending a lot of time together. Iago plants the seed of doubt in Othello’s mind Othello begins to ponder the idea of whether Iago suspicions are true.
Language and imagination are among the most dangerous weapons Iago has at his disposal in Othello. Jealous and angered by Othello’s - his commanding officer - passing over him for a promotion, Iago develops a fierce, antagonistic perspective the aforementioned character; this sentiment quickly corrupts his volition, and he subsequently concocts a plot bent on destroying Othello. He renders this revenge scheme credible by concealing his true feelings behind a facade of loyalty and trustworthiness, and fabricating a fictitious story concerning the infidelity of Desdemona, Othello’s wife. Until the play concludes, Iago utilizes purposeful rhetoric to drive his agenda, and also a mastery of deception to mislead the minds of his targets.
“Communication to a relationship is like oxygen to life without it…it dies.” This quote, once said by Tony Gaskins, a motivational speaker and author, relates to Shakespeare 's play, Othello, because the lack of communication between Othello and his wife, Desdemona, causes him to kill her. Othello’s motivation to kill his wife was manipulated by Iago’s manipulation into believing she was having an affair with Cassio, Othello’s second in command in the military. Iago’s relationship with his wife, Emilia, also contains this similar lack of communication because he believes Emilia has been unfaithful to him multiple times. The men not communicating their beliefs to the women around them, leads the men into believing other’s rumors. This miscommunication
Othello is a man of romantic nature. He fell in love with the beautiful Desdemona. He was accused of stealing her away from her father. Othello was of a different race and did not fit in with her family. Othello makes a plea for Desdemona and tells his story which wooed her to begin with. Othello tells of the love that her father showed him since his boyish days. This was like a match made in heaven that overcame many obstacles which got in their way. Othello could not understand why he was good enough to work and fight alongside of her father, but was not good enough for his daughter.
The audience at this point know nothing of Othello that is gained by their own opinion, instead we are lead to believe from Iago’s race related description that Othello is a threatening and evil moor, whose beastial sexual appetite, conveyed by Iago’s cries to Brabantio, telling him that ‘an old black ram is tupping’ his ‘white ewe’ (1.1.89), is something of a rapist. Iago’s coarse animal related language conveys Iago’s feelings against Othello’s marriage in a much more pronounced way. The image of an ‘old black ram’ gives the audience nothing but negative images of Othello, especially when this ‘old black ram’ is being associated with the innocence of a ‘white ewe’. Iago then associates Othello with the image of ‘the devil’ (1.1.92) because of Othello’s colour, Iago warns Brabantio that he has ‘lost half [his] soul’ now that Desdemona is married to Othello. Iago here emphasises the biracial nature of the marriage, already showing his ability to manipulate people, in this case he is manipulating Brabantio, to believe in Iago’s own opinions and in theory to eliminate all thoughts that Brabantio might of had of his own about the marriage.