Morality and Immorality in Othello Essay -- Othello essays

Morality and Im religion in Othello William Shakespeares tragic drama Othello presents to the audience a picture of many a(prenominal) different shades of morality and immorality. It is the purpose of this essay to elaborate in detail on this thesis. Roderigos opening lines to Iago in Act 1 outlook 1 take us to the very root of the problem Tush never tell me I take it much unkindly That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. (1.1) In other words, the wealthy playboy has been paying off the ancient for the soldiers intercession with Desdemona on behalf of Roderigo. This payoff has been in progress before the play begins, and it continues throughout, even in Cyprus, until the end. Yes, it would seem that money is at the root of all the tragic misfortune in this drama. In ordination to assure that Roderigos gifts, both in the form of money and jewelry, continue to himself, he initiates an intrigue which begins with the late-nig ht storming of Brabantios residence, and ends with the deaths of Roderigo, Desdemona, Othello and Emilia. The intrigue begins when Iago suggests to the wealthy playboy that he may be able to recover Desdemona by taking immediate strong action with her father against the general Call up her father, Rouse him make afterward him, poison his delight, Proclaim him in the streets incense her kinsmen, And, though he in a fertile climate dwell, Plague him with flies though that his joy be joy, Yet throw such changes of vexation ont, As it may lose some colour. (1.1) This incident leads to the public accusation against the Moor by Braban... ...her removeed mistress, resuscitates morality in this play. Emilia refutes the untrue notions which Othello says motivated him to kill she counters Iagos lies (She give it Cassio? No, alas, I found it, / And I did givet my husband.) and lays the guilt for Desdemonas murder on his shoulders. And she sacrifices her very life for the truth she dies a martyr, stabbed by evil Iago. Othello also is a martyr in a sense, paying in honest for the crime that he committed. WORKS CITED Coles, Blanche. Shakespeares Four Giants. Rindge, New Hampshire Richard Smith Publisher, 1957. Jorgensen, Paul A. William Shakespeare The Tragedies. Boston Twayne Publishers, 1985. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http//www.eiu.edu/multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.