Critical Appreciation of Othello
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" Put out the light, and then Put out the light if squelch thee….I can…light restove… I know not where is that Promethean heat plucked the rose….cannot give a vital …needs to wither. I'll smell it on the free growth "Here in this soliloquy, Othello says about Desdemona, that if he Puts out the light. The light would be put back again so would be better to pluck the rose. It will wither. The fragrance of the rose could be got from the tree. In Greek Mythology, Prometheus had stolen fire from the gods and gave it as a gift to mankind. The"artificial" flaming minister' is within the power of man. But no one can restore life to the plucked rose and dead Desdemona. Othello intended to murder. He suspected her faithfulness.
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Othello is a tragedy of Intrigue or tragedy or character - intrigue plays a vital role in the tragedy of Othello, in his other tragedies, the hero is fully aware of his hostile surroundings. The hero faces it with fortitude But due to their inherent character, they fail. As we see in Hamlet, Macbeth. but in Othello it is different. Othello is unaware of the villainy of Iago. The drama is a network of intrigue. Iago plays intrigue against Roderigo Cassio, Desdemona.
he says "Whatever he kills Cassie or Cassie him…..every way makes my gain."
He makes Othello doubt Desedemona's integrity and virtue.
He is jealous of Cassio because Othello appointed him as a lieutenant.
Besides intrigue, there is a tragedy of character, and we know certain weaknesses in the character. The explicit and blind trust in others is his primary weakness.
Hasty judgments and rashness of action make the play a tragedy of character; Othello had not had the introspection of Hamlet.
Emilia asks of Othello, "What should such a fool do with such a good wife?"
Iago is not an ordinary villain. He is intelligent and shrewd. He was an observer of human nature. He knew the character of Othello very well.
The plot of Othello is simple. it has no subplot as the main character lands in Cyprus, The action moves quickly and the tension builds steadily without a moment's respite. It ends when Othello kills himself. There are only a few characters.
Othello is the only play that comes close to the unities of time, place, and action. The entire action takes place in Cyprus.
Shakespeare rarely observed the unities of time, place, and action. he opined that they were antithetical to dramatic creation.
A Shakespearean tragedy has a conflict between two opposing groups, persons, or interests. The story of the plot develops as a result of this conflict
Shakespeare's tragedy has:
. Exposition of introduction -the main character is introduced in a friendly way the conversation between Iago and Roderigo in the opening lines provides us with the necessary information about the elopement of Desdemona and Othello the First Act reveals the major character as well as the evil and good force that exist in the Play.
Complication or the rising factor- the second factor is the complication or rising action the scene shifts from Venice to Cyplus their Cassio is dismissed this Desdemona unexpectedly arrives there Iago gets a chance to add to the confusion as Idea flashes in I ago utilises this Desdemona
The third is the dramatic climax: normally Shakespeare's tragedy has a rising action it has he hero's achievements. But his failure comes with a falling action in Othello there is no such thing there is the development of love to the highest point The dramatic fall is due to bitter jealousy there is the victory of the force of Evil once the force of good and it takes to the hero's downfall. Othello misinterprets every statement he even does not accept comments from Emilia .he strikes this Desdemona in public
Conclusion: this occurs when the hero is ruined .he is ruined of his own Noble and dignified self
3) DOMESTIC TRAGEDY
The main character of Othello is different from the place of Shakespeare lear is a king. His three daughters become the Queens Macbeth is a powerful general later he becomes a king Hamlet is an heir to The Throne. In Othello, it is different here the Duke is high ranked person Shakespeare deals with the king and Queens in tragedies we are aware of the downfall of the hero, and the downfall effect the destiny that surrounds him and his Kingdom Shakespeare ends up with the establishment of a new government
But the Othello it is different when the hero dies the people of Venice are deprived of a great general the fate of the people is not altered we feel the pain of the miss fortunate hero and his wife they are as common as us.
In Othello, Shakespeare is closer to achieving domestic tragedy. in other tragedies of Shakespeare, it may Force us to uplift our emotions but we can never be a part of it there is Othello the emotions are such that we are one with it.
Othello is termed a domestic tragedy because it deals with the private married life of common people other considered critical.
Othello is not to be a tragedy. Othello is not a private individual. He is a shoulder a military general he is a man of exceptional character he is noble and daring.
We consider Othello as a domestic tragedy because the emotions are such that we are likely to face in our lives.
It is a drama of modern life we can identify the character and events with ourselves. The play cause of a dark brooding kind of fatality. The conflict of Othello is very huge it trans verses the whole Earth and the entire cosmos.
We see here the ordinary Nobel human being. They are caught in the currents of destiny from where there is little chance to escape as we proceed in the drama the impact of intrigue is lessened. Character games ascendency.
Othello Surfers heart-rending agony as he vacillates between love and owner Othello is the high priest of the owner but when he is convinced that is why was unchaste he has no option but to sacrifice her throttling her to Death was a sacrifice ritual for him.
Shakespeare's Canvas was too huge despite the varied emotions of everyday life and this is relevant to the domestic tragedy he Archives it partly in Othello. Othello appears to be a domestic tragedy because the emotions are close to our life.
4) INTRIGUE-
Iago intrigue occupies a distinct part in the drama it is so profound that it is difficult to find any parallel in any other tragedy.
In Othello, the victims take our utmost sympathy the intrigue is on love and death so the tension is unbearable.
The play causes enormous oppression and a dark brooding kind of fatality.
What we see are ordinary Noble human beings got in the current of destiny from where there is little chance to escape.
As the play proceeds introduce loses its prominence the catastrophe of the character gains accident c and the part placed by accident accentuates the feeling of fate.
Shakespeare contrives Desdemona to drop her handkerchief at the moment which is favourable for I ago Cassio blenders in the presence of Othello.
There is no escape from fate and the Gods are not in heaven because fate has taken the side of the villain.
Shakespeare makes us aware of a mysterious power with governs human actions and wonders whether the god in heaven is truly first or are we; "As flies to wanton play are we to the gods They kill us for that sport."
Othello suns up, "who can control his fate?"
In India arrive just after the athlete throttled this Desdemona.
Had she arrived a minute before this Desdemona would have been saved.
The dropped handkerchief became a tragedy because of the manner in which Iago utilises this accident to his own advantage.
Othello is not convinced of the guilt of his wife and demands proof Iago had to confirm his suspicions.
Iago also tells him that he had seen Cassio wiping his face with this Desdemona's handkerchief.
Here in Othello, the dramatics attempt to say that men have to survive by their own process of thought based on morals to achieve true happiness.
othello decides to Throttle Desdemona because he feels "yet she must die also She'll betray move men"……" put on the light and then put on the light".
Desdemona is surprised as to how one can kill someone for love." that death intreats that kill for love."
Desdemona is warmly human there is a certain domestic femininity about her she is a maiden ' never bold'.
The domestic gentleness is apparent throughout she talks of tonight's supper or tomorrow's dinner.
She is typically feminine in her attempt to help Cassio and her pity for him.
She would bind her head with her handkerchief later this becomes a terrific symbol of Othello's jealousy.
The 'Othello' word is eminently domestic and Desdemona expressively feminine.
We hear of her needlework her fan Globes and masks.
Emilia gives her nightly wearing she also says she has laid on her bed' the wedding sheets' that wisdom on a head asks for.
the extreme beauty and those of the scene largely depended on the domesticity of it.
Othello is extremely human and so is Desdemona.
Othello is a symbol of human- especially masculine-' purpose courage and valour'
in his final judgement is seen the found idea of human faith and value in a very wide scene
Desdemona has individual domestic charm and simplicity she is also a symbol of women in a Gener. l she is the supreme value of love.
Othello realises his mistakes he was proud that he could remove all obstacles with his sword but now all that was a 'boast' who can control his fate ask a lot to himself.
For him, this journey of his life had come to an end.
He curses himself that the devil's scourage him tell he loses his eyesight.
He prays-" wash me
5) HANDKERCHIEF EPISODE
The story revolves around marriage and as a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness, a handkerchief was passed on.
The is initially a gift given to Desdemona by Othello as a love taken it is subsequently symbol symbolically transformed into disdains bed sheet which she uses to reveal her true Innocence and fidelity to Othello.
And finally this Desdemona requests that the bed sheet be used as a cover for her death shroud.
The H.K. had the pattern strawberries (died with the virgin's Blood) on a white background.
The H.K. suggests the virgin as well as fidelity.
The H.K. is Desdemona's chastity but when she gives away the HK it is like she has given her body away.
But Iago Go or we can say I Go uses the H.K. as a sign of betrayal This is his intrigue he manipulates Cassio He brings him to Desdemona.
They discuss Othello's anger.
But Iago presents this before Othello as that they were having an affair.
Ayogo convenience Othello that Desdemona would never love him.
The dropping of H.K. represents that the love for Othello is also gone
The H.K. was the first give of Othello to Desdemona she always kept it with her to" kiss and talk to it 'but Iago forced his wife Emilia to steal it he took it and dropped it and gets used to camp.
Letter Cassio gave it to Bianca asking her to make an H.K. as same as it.
Bianca knew it was a woman's H.K. She alleges Cassio of having another mistress.
To Othello, the HK symbolised Desdemona's honour. Othello himself seemed to represent the H.K.
Othello tells Desdemona that his mother had given it to him on her deathbed.
You wanted that he would give to his wife.
The H.K. also represents that Othello would be true to her and that she would also be true to him.
Othello goes on to tell her that an Egyptian sorceress gave it to his mother She told his mother that this would make her desirable to her husband and Othello's father would also be loyal to her.
But if she lost it or gave it away, Othello's father would leave her.
Desdemona feels horrible and guilty that she had lost her handkerchief.
Before stabbing himself Othello says-" I kissed thee ere I killed thee: no way but this killing myself to die upon a kiss."
On the part of Desdemona when she faced adversity she succumbed she did not know what to do or how to handle it.
To Othello, the H.K. was a symbol of Desdemona herself -her faith and chastity in talking it out became evidence of her infidelity.
The word 'love' is time and again being destroyed by the false and empty love Iago professes.
In Othello, we get themes of jealousy deception and treachery and justice.
But Desdemona blames herself for her death she tells Emilia "Nobody I myself farewell .committed me to my kind Lord."
The strawberry on the H.K. was hand stitched it was stitched with the thread that had been dyed with the virgin's blood.
Desdemona symbolises the only pure figure in the Play She was beyond prejudice
6) SOLILOQUY
Soliloquy is a device where the character speaks to himself at that time no one is present the character is there all alone.
No one uses him by soliloquy the innermost mind of the character.
So to bring out the most thought, soliloquy.
This is frequently used by Shakespeare.
He Uses the unfold the innermost turmoil of the tragic character.
Shakespeare uses soliloquy in his Hamlet is an exquisite art.
In Othello soliloquy plays an intrinsic part of the play it advances the plot at the action of the play.
It gives us an inside into the motives and emotions of a particular character.
It enhances the main action of the play it tells us what is to follow next.
Sometimes Shakespeare uses soliloquy to give his view of his own philosophy.
The soliloquy given by different characters gives us a clear picture of the inner thought of the character.
In his soliloquy Othello doubt Iago's trustworthiness-" this follows of exceeding honestly and knows all qualities with a learned spirit human dealing and this is aptly true of Iago.
Desdemona's soliloquy is hurtful and touching she says-" happiness leave me unkindness is strong and his unkindness may kill me, but it will never ruin my love."
Speech is the medium of Iago's villainy
His interviews are seen more throw his dialogues than his actions–" demand me nothing that you know, you know from this time 4th I never will speak a word."
A soliloquy is a monologue spoken by a character that expresses the character in thoughts and emotions.
Soliloquies are an intrinsic part of the play it advises the plot and the action of the play.
Shakespeare uses soliloquy to reveal his Complex character it gives an inside of the motives of Iago.
Most of the soliloquies are spoken by the villain Iago is one of the most complex characters of Shakespeare so to know his motives most of the soliloquies are spoken.
When Casio is appointed as a lieutenant ship, it gets unbearable for Iago.
He uses Roderigo as a tool against the moor:" into a jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure."
The idea of Revenge and giving it a shape comes out through the soliloquy.
His main plan was to make Othello jealous of his wife and against Cassio.
Throw his through his soliloquy we come to know about his mention of dropping the handkerchief in Casio's camp.
Then when he gets aware of the then says that Laderigo would reveal everything to Desdemona his soliloquy else his plan.
He provokes to murder Casio is soliloquy revealed when he says" Whoever is murdered the victory will be his".
The soliloquy of Othello leaves out the inner conflict the conflict of his love and his owner he decided to sacrifice love from his owner.
There is tenderness in every word of his soliloquy he is not furious he is quiet.
It is revealed that it was not a murder it was a sacrifice.
Soliloquy serves many functions it reveals The Secret development of the characters and the plot.
The soliloquy is used for the reveal action of secret plans and conspiracy of Iago.
When Othello realises that Iago trick him he decided to end his own life.
Here in this soliloquy, he aims to justify the terrible decision to end his life.
In his Soliloquy Queen Othello confess how he was divided by Iago.
7) History of Elizabeth and drama(Othello)
In the 10th this came to England by Normans this gave origin to morality and miracle plays
To miracle play dealt with the miraculous incidents of the saint and Martyr's morality dealt with religion.
The earliest miracle play was perhaps written by a hilarious English man the place where performed in the church and was based on rituals.
The morality place existed between the Miracle Place and the morality place came the interlude it was the four winners of comedies which were acted by servants and maids.
Then the mosque appeared it had songs and dialogues.
English drama was influenced by the Latin and Italian drama and native traditions these three features were found in every Elizabeth and plays.
The mystery, miracle, and morality represent the development of English drama then developed the force and chronicle plays.
Seneca was accepted as the model of tragedy and Plautus and Terence were accepted in comedy. the English drama developed to throw the works of university wits.
Shakespeare did not belong to the university wits his contemporaries were Ben Johnson Chapman and Dekker.
The idea of tragedy as a dramatic art came from Pagan Greece to Christian Europe with Renaissance.
Shakespeare brought a distant attitude toward life the Greeks were highly civilised their world was basically religious( it has the concept of 'punishment' and ' the Martia or purification by fate or destiny).
Purification is one which brings full realisation of the tragic destiny of the individual life.
The main concern of tragedies is with Truth and the pleasure it gives us the pleasure of knowledge.
Plato used the word 'Catharsis' to mean purification.
Aristotle confirms tragedy by arousing pity and fear and understanding.
Greek tragedy was a myth ritual and drama all in one.
Shakespeare was concerned with justice his justice gave an impression to serve his tragic cause Arousing pity and fear bought sublimation and nemesis.
Shakespeare's tragic vision was almost similar to Aristotle his approach to tragedy was intellectual.
Shakespeare weighted the power of laughter and sorrow it produced sometimes sorrow and other time joy and laughter.
Shakespeare's place has been divided into comedies histories and tragedies his tragedies are stories of the hero and heroine and love tragedies. As we see in Romeo and Juliet each Tragedy of Shakespeare is fresh there is no repetition there are marked differences of approach and intention in each of his tragedies.
Othello is a revelation of character and is an intellectual and domestic quality. Lear is a Universal allegory it presents human situations Macbeth defines Evil that the result of the lust for power.
In tragedies Hero dies in the end in Shakespeare in tragedy it is the same throughout the play the Hero is in conflict with forces internal index & external the tragic Hero should be nominated by a' Hamartia' this is a flop and excess of some characters X hubus or pride it is the hamartia that leads the downfall the action in the tragedy in the must appear real so that it passion or emotion is heightened the conclusion of the action brings release from the passion.
Tragedy thus purifies the mind by pity and terror and his Catharsis' according to Shakespeare Evil exists and it exists with Emphasis as pure love exists Shakespeare believes that despite his flaws man will ultimately assert himself.
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