Essay about Othello, or the Fall of a General - 1061 Words

Othello, or the Fall of a General Othello, the general and protagonist in William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello, is an amazing individual in many respects. Let us in this essay explore his character in depth, along with critical opinion. Blanche Coles in Shakespeare’s Four Giants praises Othello as a superior being: In Act I, Scene III, the â€Å"valiant Othello,† as the Duke calls him, comes into the august presence of the Venetian senators. He enters with others but can be singled out by his soldierly bearing in which there appears a certain pride in his calling but no petty self-confidence. His appearance is that of a man mellowed more by experience than by years. He is not handsome as to facial†¦show more content†¦Indeed, this talented soldier is no mere daughter-snatcher! When Brabantio’s pack has drawn their swords with the intent to fight, Othello calmly states: â€Å"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.† He is in charge; the accused controls the mob. Politely he addresses the mob leader. â€Å"Where will you that I go / To answer this your charge?† Brabantio demands prison for the general, but this conflicts with the duke’s request for the general’s presence in council. When they have reappeared before the duke, the latter greets Othello immediately and respectfully (â€Å"Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you / Against the general enemy Ottoman.†), but doesn’t even notice the senator Brabantio (â€Å"I did not see you. Welcome, gentle signior.† Noble Othello obviously outranks even the senator, in the estimation of the city’s leader. Brabantio’s serious charges are handled expeditiously, and even trivialized by so brief a consideration by the august body, who quickly rally around the general. The duke tells Brabantio, â€Å"Your son-in-law is far more fair than black† – a compliment to Othello’s virtue and upstanding performance both presently in front of the senators and previously in battles. Cassio’s ship lands first in Cyprus, before Iago’s and the general’s. While the lieutenant isShow MoreRelated Othello: the General and His Fall Essay examples1878 Words   |  8 PagesOthello: the General and His Fall  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   The noble Othello in the Shakespearean play of that name has no one to blame but himself; his suicide results. Is his downfall resulting from his naivete and gullibility? Let us study and expose this famous character in this essay.    Francis Ferguson in â€Å"Two Worldviews Echo Each Other† describes how Othello carries out Iago’s plan of destruction:    Othello moves to kill Desdemona (Act V, scene 2) with that â€Å"icy current and compulsiveRead MoreAnalysis Of Othello By William Shakespeare816 Words   |  4 PagesBell Eng. 1 Pre-I.B. 05 April 2015 Self-Confidence In the book, Othello, by William Shakespeare, the author expresses that without self-confidence a person cannot truly grow emotionally. 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However, Othello suffers from a moral dilemma, â€Å"jealousy.† Therefore he becomes convinced by a once trusted, scheming friend;Iago, that his wife, DesdemonaRead MoreKahron Fyffe. . World Literature . . Dr. Fiore. . 28 April1036 Words   |  5 PagesLiterature Dr. Fiore 28 April 2017 Othello: Hero or Stranger Othello is a hero due to being a hardened and vicious warrior on the battlefield but he is also a tragic hero in this play. A tragic hero by definition is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction. For example Othello is the husband of Desdemona whom he murders because he has been misled by the villainous IagoRead MoreEssay on Othello Chose His Fate794 Words   |  4 PagesThe play Othello the Moor of Venice, is one of Shakespeares great tragedies. That being so, for every tragedy, there is the tragic hero- a man that is, at bottom, truly honorable and good, but plagued by a flaw that causes his fateful undoing. The question then arises whether there is sufficient evidence to all-together condemn Othello as a malevolent and innately evil man, or such evidence that he was simply deceived by Iagos treachery and should be excused for his actions. Yet, as the play