| Term Paper Title | More Than Just Rude Speech |
| # of Words | 1081 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) | 4.32 |
More Than Just Rude Speech
In the first act of the play of Shakespeare's Othello, Othello admits that "Rude am I in my speech and little blessed with the soft phrase of peace" However; this is not a good characterization of Othello. It is necessary to further probe into his character analysis and see what shapes his character throughout the play. Othello starts off as being introduced as a fighter, deserving the respect of a general. Even though he is a Moor, he is never discriminated against, until Iago, brings up this issue with Brabantio. It is here where Othello's character begins to be attacked and his perception transformed. Not only is the perception of his character transformed, but his actual character is as well. One of the major impacts that transform Othello, is Iago's manipulation of Othello's personality. It is this manipulation that brings the fall of Othello. This paper will examine the character of Othello, and trace the transformation of the hero into his tragic ending, and look at how the reader feels sympathy towards Othello.
It is important to look at our initial feelings of Othello. He is a champion among warriors, and is to be respected. Othello is a Moor, but within the initial outset of the play, this fact is almost irrelevant. One can tell this by the way he is addressed as "General". Not only this plays a factor in his respect, but he has loyal followers that are at his call like Cassio. His difference is not constructed as otherness. Othello, by his nature, is not an isolated character because of his background. Besides being the dark-skinned Moor, Othello varies in no real way from the other characters in the play. His interaction with other characters does not lead one to believe that he is being discriminated against. The only person that ever says anything attacking his color is Brabantio, only after Igao convinces him that he used some sort of magic to marry his daughter Desdemona.
We see Othello move through a character progression as he becomes consumed with Iago's lies and fabrications. The affliction of Othello's character is furthered by Iago's emphasis upon Othello's simplicity and honesty, which is sharply contrasted with Iago's skillfully crafted lies and misrepresentations. It can be said that the two of foils of each other, in that both possess opposite traits of the other character. Othello always wants to confront problems, such as the conflict with he and Brabantio, while Iago would rather lay down a trap and let the situation fester. A good example of this is the handkerchief that is Desdamona's and how it is used against Othello. Othello may be a simple man with rude speech and strong arms, but he has been engaged in redeemable pursuits for Venice for the past seven years. Despite the charges Iago makes of animalism and witchcraft that may be connected to his black skin, these are only rumors and hearsay. Those in power, like the Duke of Venice, know and attest to Othello's true nature. Even Iago, Othello's nemesis, acknowledges that the work of deception ahead of him will be lessened and facilitated by Othello's honest and trusting ways. This, then, is Othello's faul...Read entire document
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