Othello :: essays research papers fc

Emotional Destruction The tragedy Othello, was written in a time of great racial tensions in England. According to Eldred Jones, in 1600 just three years before Othello was written, Queen Elizabeth proclaimed an order for the transportation of all "negars and blackmoores" out of the country . It is in this manner that Shakespeare began the masterpiece of Othello, a drama about a noble black Arab general, Othello, who falls in love with and marries, Desdemona, a young white daughter of a senator. In the tragedy not only is Othello susceptible to weaknesses but so is every major character . The tragedy reminds humans that even one’s good nature can be taken advantage of for the worse. In Shakespeare’s Othello, characters are strongly affected by their influential emotions of love, jealousy, and hate which ultimately lead to chaos and tragedy in the end. All the relationships in the play demonstrate the vulnerability involved with love. Each of the relationships in Othello portrays insecurities in each person, except Iago. In fact, all of the relationships with one character, Iago, are focused around him and his devilish plot for the demise of Othello. However, most of the relationships in Othello bring about unintentional frustrations and vulnerabilities. The marriages in Othello are the most important relationships involving vulnerability because they bring out the best hopes and attitudes, and the worst fears and emotions in each character. Shakespeare, in designing Othello’s marriage to Desdemona, shows that although one can truly love a person, the need for human control can destroy any relationship causing heartbreak. From the very beginning, Othello faces a dilemma of vulnerability because of his marriage. In his essay, Eldred Jones has concluded with this by stating that Othello made himself available to public criticism and assaults on his character by marrying a young white girl. Furthermore, the couple’s constant struggle over power and control makes them susceptible to destruction of their happiness. Othello seeks complete control over his wife, Desdemona: â€Å"O curse of marriage. That we can call these delicate creatures ours, And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad And live upon the vapour of a dungeon. Then keep a corner in the thing I love†(61). Othello is clearly showing that he sees Desdemona’s love, faithfulness and submissions as criteria for his manhood. His feelings demonstrate how vulnerable people can become in putting their self-value in another person. Shakespeare, in developing the power struggle of Othello’s marriage, reminds the audience that to control a person fully only brings about turmoil. Love is the most powerful emotion and ironically the emotion that leads to the most