W. Shakespeare.docVIP

7. W. Shakespeare’s other works 1) “Othello” A. Themes of “Othello” “Othello” is a tragedy of humanism. Othello is a new man of the Renaissance. He is a splendid Moorish general in the service of Venice. Though his skin is dark, he has great moral beauty. He loves Desdemona so dearly just because he finds her to be the embodiment of honesty, sincerity and loftiness of mind. Desdemona’s love is the greatest reward for his long and hard life. But led astray by Iago, he weaves a series of foul lies for the purpose of wrecking Othello’s happiness. Iago instigates Othello to dismiss Cassio and Desdemona’s pleading for Cassio arouses Othello’s suspicion. Then Iago manages to get from his wife a handkerchief belonging to Desdemona, and swears to Othello that Desdemona has given it to Cassio. In a fit of anger Othello kills his fair wife. At last when Othello realizes his monstrous mistake, he wounds Iago and kills himself. Othello’s credulousness, suspicion and jealousy result in his tragedy. The tragedy of Othello shows that noble-minded people may be led astray by evil forces in a dark society and commit heinous mistakes if they cannot discriminate between truth and falsehood and between good and evil. “Othello” is also a tragedy of the colored people in a society of racial prejudice. Though well-known as a general and in a high position, Othello has been a man apart; he is lonely because he is black. The Venetians seem to be treating him as one of themselves. But to have him marry one of their daughters is quite another question. Iago, in carrying out his evil schemes, sees this, he harps persistently on the unnaturalness of his marriage in the eyes of the white gentlemen. Here lies the social background of Iago’s success in wrecking Othello’s happiness. B. Analysis of the Character of Othello Othello is a new man of the Renaissance. He is a splendid Moorish general in the service of Venice. Though his skin is dark, he has great moral bea