Whole text comments:
- Phrasing could be a little more clearer here.
- Partly social/historical context.
- More analysis of quotations and techniques needed throughout this paragraph.
- Need to mention a quote of the listing (part of the listing)
- Be clearer - note that he’s speaking with the Duke here.
Shakespeare presents Othello as a character who exhibits an intense level of hubris
throughout the first half of the play. We could argue Othello’s excessive pride is a significant
factor of his downfall towards the end of the play, as it can be a problematic personality trait,
especially in tragic hero protagonists. However, we could also argue that it is only expected
from Othello, as he has earned the right to take pride in his career, as a black man in a
predominantly white Venetian society. Othello is depicted as a self-built and successful
general in the Venetian army, who overcame hardships such as racism throughout his life.
Racial prejudice was highly predominant in Elizabethan England and black people were
viewed as savages and slaves and it is clear Othello is a victim of prejudice as he is
frequently addressed as “his Moorship” or as Iago describes him as “an old black ram”. The
use of the noun “ram” dehumanises Othello as it depicts him as an animal, categorising him
as less than a human according to the Great Chain of Being. In Act One, Scene 3, Othello
presents all of his military achievements to the Duke and Brabantio through the
combinations of long length of turn and asyndetic listing, “From year to year, the battles,
sieges, fortunes…”. This further strengthens the idea that Othello has earned to take pride in
his career and people such as the Duke and Desdemona respect Othello’s authority and
success.
- Phrasing could be a little more clearer here.
- Partly social/historical context.
- More analysis of quotations and techniques needed throughout this paragraph.
- Need to mention a quote of the listing (part of the listing)
- Be clearer - note that he’s speaking with the Duke here.
Shakespeare presents Othello as a character who exhibits an intense level of hubris
throughout the first half of the play. We could argue Othello’s excessive pride is a significant
factor of his downfall towards the end of the play, as it can be a problematic personality trait,
especially in tragic hero protagonists. However, we could also argue that it is only expected
from Othello, as he has earned the right to take pride in his career, as a black man in a
predominantly white Venetian society. Othello is depicted as a self-built and successful
general in the Venetian army, who overcame hardships such as racism throughout his life.
Racial prejudice was highly predominant in Elizabethan England and black people were
viewed as savages and slaves and it is clear Othello is a victim of prejudice as he is
frequently addressed as “his Moorship” or as Iago describes him as “an old black ram”. The
use of the noun “ram” dehumanises Othello as it depicts him as an animal, categorising him
as less than a human according to the Great Chain of Being. In Act One, Scene 3, Othello
presents all of his military achievements to the Duke and Brabantio through the
combinations of long length of turn and asyndetic listing, “From year to year, the battles,
sieges, fortunes…”. This further strengthens the idea that Othello has earned to take pride in
his career and people such as the Duke and Desdemona respect Othello’s authority and
success.
