Act One Of Othello
Achievement In Act I Of Othello?
Shakespeare’s own personal aim was not to write a social and political reflection of his era, as many contemporary readers believe, it was; purely and simply, to entertain his audience. This does not mean that there can be no social and political reflections within Othello, it means that the reflections are there, not for the sake of social and political commentary, but for the sake of entertainment and pleasure. Aristotle explained in “Poetics” that the audience’s pleasure consists not merely in observing the play, but criticizing, evaluating and making comparisons. These activities produce pleasure, thus it is not a mindless pleasure. There must be ...
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play, it is important because the reader at the outset is given a choice; who to believe and who is right. Shakespeare instantly sets about creating the mood of ambiguity which will result in the reader contemplating and analyzing the situation in hand. This will, according to Aristotle, create pleasure for the audience.
As with all Shakespeare’s plays, Othello is written (for the very vast majority) in a form of verse and with a definite rhythm. This helps the general flow of the text, and when the rhythm is broken, we are alerted to a significant event or to a particular trait in a character. When Iago tries to insult and animalize the “Barbary horse” Othello, to Brabantio (line 108), verse reverts to prose and we are alerted to the evils behind Iago’s deeds. Shakespeare, so far, is strictly adhering to Aristotle’s guidelines and certainly understands “the essential qualities of art itself”. In “Poetics” it is explained that “language into which enter rhythm, harmony and song” ...
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men. By showing Iago’s true colours, Shakespeare is casting Iago’s view of Othello in a very low estimation.
Shakespeare’s initial portrayal of Roderigo, is of a rather dim and naïve man. Firstly, he has paid a clearly dishonest self serving man, Iago, to promote a match between him and Desdemona, to her father, Brabantio. Secondly, nearly all Roderigo’s conversation consists of subservient comments towards the manipulative Iago. He is constantly agreeing and promoting Iago’s theories on Othello; explaining the obvious that “he would not serve him then”. Roderigo is not portrayed by Shakespeare, in Act I, as being completely twisted, like Iago. He is seen merely as Iago’s rather ...
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"Act One Of Othello." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 9 Aug. 2006. Web. 18 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Act-One-Of-Othello/50493>
"Act One Of Othello." Essayworld.com. August 9, 2006. Accessed November 18, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Act-One-Of-Othello/50493.
"Act One Of Othello." Essayworld.com. August 9, 2006. Accessed November 18, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Act-One-Of-Othello/50493.
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