Othello
Comments(10) Othello
Having read this play I recognize a number of ‘Shakespearean’ themes that we discuss throughout the semester. Some of them are: the strong (or inferior) role of the female charactesr, the Green World and homosocial bonds.
Desdemona is a forward female figure, she is outspoken and assertive. In Act 2 when Lago tries to intimidate her by belittling women, Desdemona remains unwavering and plays along, as he criticizes women. Here in the absence of her husband, we see her independence as stood her ground with the men in this scene. In Act three she, again displays her strong and independent personality when she was advocating on Cassio’s behalf. Also, she was very resilient when Othello accuses her of being unfaithful.
In this play, Cyprus serves as a contrast to Venice. I believe we can consider it as a Green World even though it is not forested like the green world we read about in Mid Summer Night’s dream. It is a place of no formal structure and serves the purpose of the Green world; it is the place where the characters work out their conflicts.
It seems to me the relationship between Desdemona and Emilia is a homosocial relationship and as we see, Lago uses Emilia’s close friendship with Desdemona to gain access to her and, in particular, asks her to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief. Emilia is very loyal and committed to Desdemona, when Othello interrogates her about Desdemona’s behavior; Emilia becomes defensive of Desdemona and readily vouches for her; she then dies speaking of Desdemona’s purity.
I am a little perplexed about the real reason as to why Lago wanted to frame Desdemona for being unfaithful to Othello. Is he really driven by jealousy of not becoming Lieutenant? Or is it because underneath it all is a deep homosocial bond and Lago is privately attracted to Othello and so he sees Desdemona as a threat? The way Othello blindly trusts Lago and Lago’s intense deception of Othello, which almost seems like seduction, makes their relationship questioning to me.
I believe that Iago did it out of jealousy. He expresses his profound hatred for Othello and how he wishes to destroy his life. As I’ve heard before, when people want the “best revenge”, they go after the most precious thing that person has, and in this case, the most precious person to Othello is his wife Desdemona. Iago went after what he knew would mostly hurt Othello. If their relationship was ever discovered to be otherwise, I would’ve never guessed it. But you never know, Shakespeare indeed has had themes like that and I wouldn’t be surprised if there perhaps was a homosocial bond between Iago and Othello.
don’t you have to be fond of the other person in order for there to be a homosocial bond? Iago seems to really hate him, so I doubt they’re friends of any sort.
I found this quotes where Iago says “…I lay with Cassio lately….In sleep I heard him say, “Sweet Desdemona,Let us be wary, let us hide our loves!”
And then, sir, would he grip and wring my hand,
Cry “O sweet creature!”, then kiss me hard,
As if he plucked up kisses by the roots
That grew upon my lips; then laid his leg
Over my thigh, and sighed, and kissed, and then
Cried, “Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor!” (3.3.418-) I see some sexual homosexual references here. I’m not surprised either, he can be acting in revenge because of his sexual opression towards Othello.
I think that Iago’s motives are not very clear however,he does express his deep hatred or unlike for othello through out the play, which helps the audience understand why he wants revenge from Othello. I think that with each hint that Iago gives us about his revenge, it all comes down to Iago wanting Othello’s life. Iago probably desires and wants Othello’s admiration,respect and love from others. I think that Iago views himself below othello and wants that attention that he knows he can’t never have because of the vicious person that he is by nature. It is like that saying “Misery wants company”
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