Essay Othello the Abnormal - 1809 Words

Othello: the Abnormal Five Works Citednbsp;nbsp;nbsp; William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello presents to the audience a very abnormal character in the person of Iago. Also can one classify the epileptic seizure of Othello as normal? Let us in this essay consider the abnormal in the play. The abnormal behavior of the ancient is partly rooted in his misogynism. In â€Å"Historical Differences: Misogyny and Othello† Valerie Wayne implicates Iago in sexism. He is one who is almost incapable of any other perspective on women than a sexist one: Iago’s worry that he cannot do what Desdemona asks implies that his dispraise of women was candid and easily produced, while the praise requires labour and inspiration from a source beyond†¦show more content†¦He will recover straight. (4.1) nbsp; Epilepsy on the part of the protagonist is unusual and physically abnormal. But the more serious abnormalities in the play are psychological. Iago is generally recognized as the one character possessing and operating by abnormal psychology. But Lily B. Campbell in Shakespeare’s Tragic Heroes tells of the time when the hero himself approached â€Å"madness†: nbsp; Othello himself cries: nbsp; thou hast set me on the rack. I swear ‘t is better to be much abus’d Than but to know a little. nbsp; And then we find him torturing himself with the thoughts of Cassio’s kisses on Desdemona’s lips, and he reiterates the property idea in his talk of being robbed. From this time on, Othello has become the slave of passion. As he cries farewell to the tranquil mind, to content, to war and his occupation, as he demands that Iago prove his love a whore, as he threatens Iago and begs for proof at the same time, he is finally led almost to the verge of madness [. . .] . (165) nbsp; Fortunately the protagonist regains his equilibrium, and when he does kill, it is for the noble reason of cleansing the world of a â€Å"strumpet.† On the other hand, the baseness of the villain Iago never alters. David Bevington in William Shakespeare: Four Tragedies describes the irrationality and self-destructiveness of the ancient’s behavior: nbsp; Emilia understands that jealousy is not a rationalShow MoreRelatedEssay on Abnormal Psychology and Othello1109 Words   |  5 PagesTo what extent is the science of abnormal psychology involved in the characterization in William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello? This essay will answer that question. Blanche Coles in Shakespeare’s Four Giants affirms the Bard’s commitment to abnormal psychology, and his employment of same in this play: That Shakespeare was keenly interested in the study of the abnormal mind is commonly accepted among students. [. . .] The suggestion that Iago may have been intentionally drawn as a psychopathicRead MoreDiscuss how age, social position and race impact the relationship between Othello and Desdemona749 Words   |  3 Pagesimpact the relationship between Othello and Desdemona? â€Å"She loved me for the dangers I had passd, And I loved her that she did pity them This only is the witchcraft I have used.† –Othello (act 1, scene 3, 167-169) Othello and Desdemona’s manifestly love-filled relationship was somewhat shielded by society’s views of the age, social position and race differences, that would evidently cause implications. 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LaMar in â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello† comment on how the character of Iago is the wholly expected type of villain for an Elizabethan audience:      Iago at once captures the attention of the spectator. He is the personificationRead MorePeople Who Dont Fit the Norm1468 Words   |  6 Pagesnorm. The texts that I have chosen were written between 19th-21st centuries, giving a good range of perspectives over different time frames. These texts include `The Piano by Jane Campion, `In my fathers Den by Maurice Gee, and Shakespeares `Othello. This report discusses some common themes that I discovered amongst these texts, I outline how these texts represent a common idea that literature both New Zealand and European, is trying to portray societys views on people and what is considered