Book Reports / Discussion on Representation of Shakespearean Values in Othello / ideas about humanism [2]

Hello this is an essay for my english class on Shakepeares Othello any and all recommendations appreciated :)

Select three Shakespearean values. Discuss the ways in which these values are represented through the characterization and events in Othello.

The values of the Elizabethan era hold a strong presence in Shakespeare's Othello, clearly demonstrated through the use of strong characterisation and events in the play. The importance of duty and loyalty, the tension between good and evil and the struggle between fate and free will are three Shakespearean values especially prevalent in the play Othello.

The importance of duty and loyalty is one Shakespearean value that is strongly recognised by all of the characters in Othello, regardless of how this knowledge plays a part in that characters life. Desdemona states her recognition of this value early on in the play when her father discovers his daughter's marriage to the Moor. 'I do perceive here a divided duty, to you [father] I am bound for life and education...but here's my husband, and so much duty as my mother to you...' Desdemona sees that her actions and apparent disloyalty to her father has upset him and she tries to show that loyalties and duty can be shared among multiple people. The way that she tries so hard to prove this demonstrates her utter belief in this value and she shows little surprise when Brabantio does not accept her explanation saying 'God be with you, I am done', essentially disowning her as a daughter.

Iago also sees the importance of duty and loyalty in his society and uses this knowledge to his advantage. Shakespeare uses this characterisation of Iago to demonstrate that the importance placed upon this value can be used to justify the actions of characters regardless of how inherently wrong they may be. Iago says ' it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets [Othello] has done my office, I know not if't be true yet I, for mere suspicion will act as if for surety'. Iago admits that he has no proof, just suspicions and allegations that Othello has slept with his wife yet he recognises that the sheer importance placed upon this value will allow mere suspicions to be treated as truth in order to maintain a state of duty and loyalty.

Othello himself is the character the perhaps feels most strongly about this value. Shakespeare demonstrates this by showing how much Othello loves Desdemona yet is willing to kill her as she is no longer dutiful and loyal to him, her husband and therefore no longer has worth as a human being ' I will kill thee and love thee after'. Othello still loves Desdemona, even as he is murdering her but because of her sins and disloyalty she much die.

This event clearly demonstrates how important the value of Duty and loyalty was in Shakespearean times, so important that a human lacking this value has no choice but to die.

The tension between good and evil was a value that was prevalent in Elizabethan times and one that is also common in Shakespeare's Othello. The character of Iago is a perfect representation of this value as he reveals to the audience that despite his apparent goodness and honesty toward the other characters that 'I am not what I am' This quote shows his two facedness and the tension within himself between the evil that he truly is and the good he appears to be to the other characters. Othello often proclaims 'Honest, honest Iago', while at the same time Iago admits that ' I follow him [Othello] to serve my term upon him'. Iago's intentions are all laced with evil yet he must appear to be good 'For necessity of present life'.

Othello, on the other hand feels a true tension between his inner good and evil ' It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul...Yet I'll not shed her blood, nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow...Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men'

Othello says this in order to justify his actions. By revealing to the audience Iago's plan and showing that there is no true need for Desdemona to day, Shakespeare demonstrates the inherent evil in man that one would be willing to kill his loved one without total surety of the allegations. The good in Othello is what makes him need to justify his evil actions in order to make killing his wife honourable and 'good' to him. On Othello's mind, that he can justify an evil action makes the action good enough to be carried out without internal persecution. 'A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman...let her rot and perish and be damned' Othello's inner good and evil grapple for superiority in his mind and eventually he cannot take it any longer and breaks down, both physically (represented by the seizure) and mentally (represented by Shakespeare by shifting Othello's lines from Iambic Pentameter into prose). This event is foreshadowed by 'When I love thee not, chaos is come again' Othello has given himself over to this tension and evil prevails when he kills Desdemona. The tension between good and evil, whist especially prominent in these two characters can be seen in many other facets of the play and was a major value in Shakespearean times.

Humanism versus Fatalism, or fate versus free will was a major value that was debated throughout the Elizabethan period. More specifically, it was the apparent struggle between these two views that was prevalent during this time. It is Iago who first introduces this idea in the play whilst encouraging Roderigo to pursue Desdemona 'Tis in ourselves we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens to which our wills are gardeners' Iago argues that it is our actions that determine our fate not a predetermined, unchangeable life plan that we must follow. Desdemona is one character that whole-heartedly believes in the concept of a predetermined fate. Even as she dies, having been murdered by her own husband she says ' A guiltless death I die' and then 'Nobody, I myself. Farewell.' This demonstrates how much blame Desdemona puts on her fate as while she recognises that she is innocent she still blames herself, her fate for what has happened to her, and no blame is given to Othello.

It is the apparent struggle between fate and free will as throughout the play, it becomes increasingly obvious to the audience that the characters have acted out of free will, not influenced by some kind of predetermined fate. The audience is clearly able to see how the actions of one character have an effect on the others demonstrating this notion. By the end of the play the notion that a predetermined fate played a role in the tragedy is eradicated when Lodovico says ' This is thy work. The object poisons sight' acknowledging that the murders where indeed the work of man, not God and furthers this idea but saying ' To you [Cassio], lord governor, remains the censure of this hellish villain: the time, the place, the torture, O, enforce it!' ordering the punishment of Iago for his actions.

Therefore while this is a prevalent Shakespearean value, it is revealed that the struggle between fate and free will is only superficial, humans having full control over their actions.

The importance of duty and loyalty, the tension between good and evil and the struggle between fate and free will are three important values of Shakespearean and Elizabethan time that are effectively represented through Shakespeare's use of strong characterisation and events throughout Othello.