Why Is Shakespeares Othello Still Relevant in Todays...

Why is Shakespeare’s â€Å"Othello† still relevant in today’s audiences? â€Å"When you begin a journey of revenge, start by digging two graves: one for your enemy, and one for yourself.† – Jodi Picoult. Othello is a very well-known Shakespearian text and is still relevant to today’s audiences. The themes in â€Å"Othello† are still applicable to today’s many audiences; Betrayal is a key theme presented in Othello, and is also still relevant to today’s audiences. Racism is a significant addition presented in the play, and unfortunately still pervades contemporary society. Madness and jealousy drive the action as it thrives in the play; these destructive emotions are still†¦show more content†¦Emilia plays the classic indirect sidekick who is sadly tricked into helping the villain achieve his goal. The themes relevant in the text that are still applicable to the modern interests of today are as follows; Betrayal is the key issue related with the text and consequently defines the term ‘tragedy’. Betrayal is portrayed in Shakespeare’s â€Å"Othello† all through the act and even from the very beginning; Act 1, Scene 1- Iago and Roderigo are discussing their hatred towards Othello. During this discussion, the racism and sort of indirect betrayal is brought out in the play as Iago explains to Roderigo his manipulating scheme leading to the betrayal and downfall of Othello; their captain and supposed ‘respected’ leader. Betrayal- in however many forms it may pursue- is sadly displayed regularly in life, and through many unwarranted situations varying even from day to day. Racism is a major issue associated in the reigns of the context of this script. The period of this Shakespearean text was also situated at the time of increase in hatred, discrimination and racism towards black ethnic races. In Act 1, Scene 1, we read of Iago’s racism towards Othello as a ‘fat lip(ped)’’savage’, as he tends to marry a smart, prized, beautiful yet white woman. All through the play Othello gets referred to as a savage orShow MoreRelated Rating Othello1404 Words   |  6 PagesRating Othello  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Is this Shakespearean tragedy Othello at the top of the rating chart, or is it just near the top? And why? This essay intends to examine various aspects of this subject, along with critical opinion.    This play ranks near the top. The Bard’s presentation of emotions, character, of good and evil actions that are down-to-earth – these are sometimes seen as the main reasons for the high ranking of Othello. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar in â€Å"The Engaging QualitiesRead MoreAnalyzing Humanity in Othello: The Reason Why it is Still Worth Studying1675 Words   |  7 PagesHumanity in Othello: The Reason It is Still Worth Studying Dr. David Allen White of the US Naval Academy asserts that we are all Iago now (White 2000). The claim may seem outlandish at first. Modern man representative of Shakespeares greatest arch-villain? How could one even suggest such a thing? Whites argument is followed by a series of points, each of which is aimed to help his audience realize that the character they most readily identify with is not Othello (the tragic hero of the drama)Read MoreEssay about Racism and Cultural Differences Exposed in Othello1322 Words   |  6 Pages Othello, from the onset, is shown to us a play of love and jealousy. There is however more to this play than just love and jealousy; there is underlying racism, hate, deception, pride, and even sexism between these pages. Othello is a transcendent play, one that will survive the perils of time simply because it is still relevant. Even today, over 400 years later, there are still issues of racism and sexism. Hate is as natural as love in humans and Othel lo gets right to the root of that. WeRead More How Does Othello Rate?1896 Words   |  8 PagesHow Does Othello Rate?  Ã‚        Ã‚   Is this the best, the second-best, the worst of William Shakespeare’s tragedies? Where does it place in the lineup? Let’s consider where it deserves to be and why in this essay.    The play is so quotable; consider Desdemona’s opening lines before the Council of Venice: â€Å"My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided duty,† or Othello’s last words: â€Å"Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.† Could the continuing reputation of Othello be attributed to the quotableRead More Othello – How it Ranks Essay2151 Words   |  9 PagesOthello – How it Ranks  Ã‚         In the context of thousands of plays written by hundreds of dramatists since 500 years prior to the time of Christ, how does William Shakespeare’s play Othello rank? In this essay let us find the proper place for this play, and consider critical opinion in the process.    Othello would appear to have a beauty about it which is hard to match – thus ranking high. Helen Gardner in â€Å"Othello: A Tragedy of Beauty and Fortune† touches on this beauty which enablesRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Othello And The English Language1649 Words   |  7 PagesPoet, playwright, actor and dramatist, William Shakespeare is one of the most influential and greatest writers up to this day in poetry and the English language. Known, for his many acclaimed works such as his famous plays, â€Å"Othello,† â€Å"King Lear,† and â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† etc. More than four hundred years have passed and William Shakespeare’s work still alive as if it was during the early ages of Shakespeare work. Shakespeare influenced ranges from literature, theater, films and even the English languageRead MoreCompare Relationships Between Romeo and Juliet and Between Desdemona and Othello 1931 Words   |  8 PagesShakespeare’s most noted pla ys Romeo and Juliet and Othello Shakespeare explores the essence of tragedy. How regardless of what measures they take my the nature of the play both relationships are doomed before they flourish, The extent in witch obsession clouds the minds of the luckless heroes and by what extent the women seem to be more in control of the men than the other way round. In the plays ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare uses the concept of a tragic hero to createRead MoreThere Are Many Critical Interpretations of Iago’s Character. Was He a ‘Skillful Villain’? or Perhaps He Was a ‘Mysterious Creature of Unlimited Cynicism’? or Was He Simply a ‘Wronged Man’? More Sinned Against Than Sinning?2606 Words   |  11 PagesOr perhaps he was a ‘mysterious creature of unlimited cynicism’? Or was he simply a ‘wronged man’? More sinned against than sinning? What is your view of this complex character and how would a contemporary Shakespearean audience have responded to him? In Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, the reader is introduced to the character Iago. There are many different interpretations of his character, was he a ‘skillful villain’? Or was he a ‘mysterious creature of unlimited cynicism’? Or just a ‘wronged man’ whoRead MoreWhat It Look Like By Terrance Hayes Essay1580 Words   |  7 PagesAfrican Americans to be dangerous because the media portray it to be a bigger issue than what it already is. Nevertheless, what one fails to realize is that it’s not just African Americans that are experiencing racism, it is everybody in the world and still the social media fails to show what actually goes on. In addition, one is entitled to their own opinion and going to believe anything what we want. The poem â€Å"What it look like† can have a variety of meanings, but personally no matter how one view thingsRead MoreThe Happiest Refugee, Directed By Phillip Noyce And The Play Othello 1872 Words   |  8 Pagesthat have influenced me as an individual are the memoir The Happiest Refugee by Ahn Do, the film Rabbit Proof Fence directed by Phillip Noyce and the play Othello by William Shakespeare. Literary works have the power to educate, inspire and open our minds to a wide range of human experiences. It is for this reason I am here today, to reflect upon how the texts I have studied have shaped my attitudes values and beliefs. The first text that will be discussed is ‘The Happiest Refugee’. ‘The