The Setting of Othello by Shakespeare: Moor of Venice - Research Paper Example

Task Introduction The setting of Shakespeare’s Othello, Moor of Venice is in northern Italy and Eastern Mediterranean. Venice is such an interesting place since it is among world’s most popular sea powers hence a commercial hub with a stiff economic competition. The main theme of this piece of literature is racism, stereotypes and gender disparity. This play is among Shakespeare’s work of literature that he wrote during the renaissance period. The origin of English renaissance is traced back to the time of Elizabeth’s reign in England. The main practices at that time were cultural based on the lifestyle of the people at that period of monarch rule. Various upcoming poets wrote on different allegories and compositions on English in various aspects (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 4). In essence, English renaissance grew and became more popular as more poets and philosophers put their work in publications. Primarily, Shakespeare has credit to the foundation of the English renaissance. Although his style and sequence of writing is attributed to his predecessors, most of Shakespeare’s’ significant pieces of literature reflect perfection distinguishable from the rest of the poets during the renaissance period. It is believed must have attained good education in the Stratford Grammar school. In fact, Shakespeare is thought to have begun writing in the mid 1590s. During this period, Shakespeare was in London writing mainly for public theatres. Racial prejudice prevails in Othello, Moor of Venice with Othello being the main protagonist. “Prejudice is usually a negative prejudgment of about a person or a group.” (understandingprejudice.org). In psychology, the tem prejudice is simply used to express opinion but includes an attitude such as scorn or hatred. “For instance Osama Bin Laden was prejudiced towards non-Muslims American and he had so much hatred that he would like to see them die” (understandingprejudice.org). Plot Overview The plot of Shakespeare’s Othello, Moor of Venice is primarily developed from the position of Othello. This paragraph and the two consecutive paragraphs cover the plot overview of this play. He is a black Moor and the general in charge of the service the Venice. He was awarded the position due to his victory in the conquest of the Turks. Othello was highly regarded by the Venetians who deemed him a military hero. Lago, one of Othello’s junior has a great inspiration to rise and become prominent in the ranks. However, Othello does not promote to the position of lieutenant; instead he picks Florentine Michael Cassio to be lieutenant (cummingsstudyguides.net). This makes Lago so bitter that he starts scheming on how to revenge Othello, the Moor of Venice for promoting to the position of lieutenant instead of him. Firstly, Lago approaches Roderigo on a Venetian street tells him that Cassio lacks experience in battle and soldierly activities. He praises himself claiming to be much better than Cassio by far. He alludes to his military prowess in battles against Christians at Cyprus and Rhodes. In additional, Lago accuses Othello, the Moor of Venice of advancing his men because of their political as well as, personal connection, not their merit on military skills (cummingsstudyguides.net). Lago’s scheme against Othello, the Moor of Venice is to not only revenge but also achieve his quest to do evil. The incidence of Othello eloping with Desdemona presents Lago with a chance to pull his leg. Lago uses Roderigo, who is a former suitor of Desdemona to inform his father of Desdemona disappearance. In response to this, the infuriated Barbantio goes ahead to complain to the Duke of Venice implying that Othello employed charm to win Desdemona. How else could a vile black have won her favor? (cummingsstudyguides.net). The duke of Venice decides to Othello’s favor, and Barbantio renounces Desdemona to Othello. Desdemona resolves to follow Othello to Cyprus where the governor has sent him when the Turks threaten to attack. Carrying on with his scheme against Othello, Lago follows behind in the company of Roderigo. Lago seeks to convince Roderigo that Desdemona will eventually become weary of Othello. Lago uses his wit to get Roderigo in his plans to discredit Cassio too from winning Desdemona. They execute this plan immediately after the celebration of victory against the Turkish at Cyprus. Lago gets Cassio drunk, have him pick a fight with Roderigo, and succeeds in implicating him when Othello finds out about the commotion. The incident render Cassio helpless since he loses is favor with Othello. On the other hand, Lago manipulates him to ruin the relationship between Othello and Desdemona by telling him to have Desdemona to intercede on his behalf to win back Othello’s favor (Thomas Woodman, Thomas). Is the Othello, Moor of Venice more of a noble man or an animalistic character? Do the traditional views on women lead to their low status and subjective role in society? Does Othello suffer unfair racial judgment just because he is black? Since I have already established what prejudice is, it is outright that Othello is the victim of prejudice. People develop an opinion about someone at first look. You do not who my dad is, how I grew up, how much money I have, where I live (minglecity.com) The protagonist portrayal of Othello as a brave character is over shadowed by his inability to take control of his passions, which lead him to murder Desdemona. The theme of stereotypes gender and racial are portrayed through the conflicting feminist and anti-feminist ideas (Thomas Woodman 21). The conflicting ideas range from gender differences all through to racial tensions. The probing idea of racial conflict develops from the protagonist’s different ethnical background. The dimension of the gender conflict is heightened by the presence of opposing female characters. Theme of or gender difference and that of racial conflict are closely related in that there are similar ties of stereotype. The ethnic tension in the play is complicated by the treatment of gender difference and gender role dominance (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 74). Women roles form an integral piece of the play. A woman’s chastity is highly regarded. Desmona’s infidelity is followed and at last leads to the death of several characters inclusive of his husband and her. Lago has a profound hatred for women, which is his ultimate drive in leading Othello to such Jealousy. Desdemona and Emilia are the source of conflict for gender issues and feminist ideas. There is a stiff tension between feminist and those opposed to feminist ideas in which women are portrayed with such complexity. Desdemona, who is Branitio’s daughter, is presented as the ideal woman. She is a chaste, virtuous, beautiful woman. Cassio’s description of Desdemona terms her as “divine” (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 74). Cassio confesses to Lago that “she is indeed perfection” (Thomas Woodman 25). Her answer to her father shows that she is eloquent and independent. She professes her loyalty to Othello and Barbantio and claims that the moor is her lord now. Desdemona boldly make a profess of her love for Othello to her father and the duke. Her wish “our loves and comforts should increase even as our days grow” portray her honesty in her love for her husband. Desdemona profess of her love to her husband is strictly free of feminist notions about relationships. Her claim is that, she would never cheat on her husband and no t even “for the whole world”. Desdemona is submissive and absolutely passive in her marriage. She portrays her real “simpleness”. On several occasions, Desdemona is obedient to her husband unflatteringly. When the situation gets worse, that is, after Othello physically abuses her, she bids farewell and sets off because “will not stay to offend” him. After the abuse, she approaches Lago and asks him “what shall I do to win my lord again?” Desdemona’s ideal personality is built on her virtuous and chaste character. She is an intelligent woman who willing sticks up herself to her father in order to defend her love for Othello. She is meek stereotypical meek wife who is passive and submissive all through in her relationship with Othello (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 22). Contrary, Emilia, who is Lago’s wife, is a feminist with firm feminist notions. However, in some instances, she too is obedient to her husband. She only pleases her husband by picking up a handerchief which Othello gave Desdemona for the reason that Lago “hath a hundred times wooed her to steal” also mentioning that she does “nothing but to please his fantasy”. In that dialogue, Emilia calls her “wayward”. Later, after giving the handkerchief to Lago she asks him why he wanted it and threatens him that she would take it back if it were not meant for some good intention. In their conversation earlier defiantly asserts her independence by talking back to Lago, she says, “You should not write my praise”. Furthermore, in her talk about infidelity with her friend, Desdemona, Emilia tells her that she would commit adultery giving the response “Nor I neither by his heavenly light; I might do‘t as well I’ the dark”. In her opinion, Emilia professes that that it is the husband’s fault if a wife falls. Thus, Emilia asserts what she believes, that is women have “some revenge”. Emilia is the vocal feminist voice of the play. This is evidenced by her assertion of her independence from Othello and admitting that she would commit adultery if the reward were worth it. Emilia’s attitude towards men is cynical, in what she says, “They are all but stomachs, and we are al but food; they eat us hungrily, and when they are full they belch us” (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 45). The various male characters in the play have different views about women. Cassio for instance, idealizes Desdemona so often, to the extent of believing that she is “perfection” .Lago’s attitude towards women is rather critical and negative. Lago’s says to Emilia that women are “pictures out of doors, Bells in your parlors, wildcats in your kitchens, Saints in your injuries, devils being offended, players in your housewifery and housewives in your beds” with an intention of asserting that women are often deceptive. Lago refers to women in a cynical attitude characterizing them as being foolish and unfaithful (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 74). The conflict centers on sexual difference and racial difference. Women are generally judged as unfaithful and deceptive by some characters just because they are women. Othello is also judged unfairly just because of the fact that he is black. Women are treated violently like in the case of Desdemona who is wife to Othello. In some instances, women are assumed unfaithful even if there is no proof to the claims by the accusers. Their husbands abuse both Emilia and Desdemona physically. The significance of women in society is downplayed and they are prejudged as wicked. (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 72). Othello on the other hand loves and praises Desdemona. He says to Lago, “But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition put into circumscription and confine for the sea’s worth”. Othello says to his wife “cannot speak enough of this content, it is too much of joy”. However, after he is convinced that Desdemona is being unfaithful, he changes his attitude and becomes hostile to the extent of hitting his wife. It gets worse with Othello calling her a strumpet and eventually murders her because of her suspected infidelity. His former attitude towards women changes from idealization into hatred. Othello is in conflict with traditional views about women and feminist views. Othello is also in conflict with the idealization of women and the resentment of women. The conflict of feminist and anti-feminist ideas are brought out clearly through Desdemona who is an extreme of the ideal passive wife in contrast with Emilia who is an extreme of an independent, assertive woman. It is unfortunate that it is Desdemona who is unfairly strangled, mistreated and accused unfairly. Although Emilia is also murdered by her husband, Desdemona is smothered thus manipulated by her husband more than Emilia who was wicked. Desdemona and Othello’s marriage portrays the stereotype of the violent Moor and the passive wife. The marriage itself strengthens Othello’s racial view (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 94). Racism against Othello is portrayed through gender differences as well as the striking tension between Desdemona and traditional views and Emilia’s feminist view. Racial tension is not clearly defined, as some characters are racist while others are non-racist. Lago is the major racist who raises a negative attitude against Othello on the basis of his ethnicity. Although Othello is thought a brave personality, he is presented as a harsh and violent, a popular stereotype of “Moors.” The language used to describe Othello presents him as animalistic due to his failure to control his passions. The associations of Othello with barbaric deeds are used to bring about the stereotypes of characters from different ethnic background and Africans (Thomas Woodman, Thomas 144). The theme of racism, gender disparity and gender roles, is still relevant in the contemporary society. In the article “does gender matter? Men and women on controversial social issues” the authors, Rita Simon and Mohamed Alaa Abdel Abdel-Moneim explore the impact of gender difference on social issues. The most critical issues in the modern society are attitudes towards, gay and lesbian persons, Muslims, Affirmative action and Jews. These issues are definitely the influential factors when it comes to forming opinions towards racial and religious groups. This reflects the development process through which, a society undergoes. The development of the American society is the most appropriate in this scenario. Gender has a special place in society unlike other factors such as, religion, race and political affiliations. Gender standouts to make a difference from the other factors hence play a tremendous role from the perspective of an opinion making. Love goes beyond these factors both genders return the affection, and it is the basis of companionship irrespective of race, religion or political affiliations. In fact, love is influenced by gender from a perspective of roles and expectations. Likewise, gender influences gender roles in society (Rita Simon & Mohamed Alaa Abdel Abdel-Moneim). In relation to the theme of prejudice and stereotype, Annie Murphy relates to her personal experiences. People use stereotypes as a mental shortcut all the time. Referring to her article “where bias begins: the truth about stereotypes” peoples use stereotyping unconsciously (psychologytoday.com). Although she had personally gone through terrible discrimination, the unconscious bias test showed that she had relatively firm prejudices. It was absolutely a disconcerting encounter for her. During her years in graduate school, the theories concerning stereotypes only sought to expound on expression; explicit racism and sexism. However, in recent times, the approach to stereotypes has changed to a great extent disregarding the simple notion about stereotype. Thus, modern society does not regard stereotype like the traditional society in ancient times such as during the renaissance (psychologytoday.com). In conclusion, the Othello, Moor of Venice is a relevant piece of literature that relates to our day-to-day life with a strong moral lesson. The contemporary society ought to appreciate such rich literary work for their impact in social and academic life its members. Works cited Thomas Woodman, Thomas (e.d) Othello, the Moor of Venice London Orient Blackswan (2002) ISBN 8125022511, 9788125022510. Print. . Web. 22 Nov 2011. Web. 22 Nov 2011 Rita Simon & Mohamed Alaa Abdel Abdel-Moneim does gender matter? Men and women on controversial Social issues Volume 27, Numbers 3-4, 95-109, DOI: 10.1007/s12147-010-9094-8 (2010) < http://www.springerlink.com/content/a2r1p46548mn1127/. Web. Retrieved on 21 Nov 2011. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199805/where-bias-begins-the-truth-about-stereotypes. Web. 22 Nov 2011 < http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xOthello.html>.Web. 22 Nov 2011. Read More