Othello Noble Moor or Dangerous Savage Essay Example For Students

Othello: Noble Moor or Dangerous Savage Essay When looking at this question, we need to evaluate Othellos character throughout the events of the play and consider the different settings and ordeals to which he is subjected. In the opinion of A C Bradley, Othello is not naturally jealous but trusting in Iago whereas F R Leavis considers the tragedy to be Othellos character in action. That Iago uses and manipulates the Moor during the play is obvious and Iago himself proclaims this in following him, I follow but myself. ACT I.1.59. One must consider whether the radical change displayed by Othello is a result of Iagos manipulations and incitements. The natural trust in his ensign may have resulted in Othellos downfall or it may be possible that Othello truly was hiding his savage nature. By considering Othello a Noble Moor, he is then, a man with high ideals whose courage and selflessness are impressive to those around him. The reference to Moor could be taken as a description of his origins (Moroccan) or a racial insinuation. For him to be labelled a Dangerous Savage, he would have to display primitive, violent and cruel actions. He would also have to be considered by others as a man who is comparatively primitive in social and cultural development. On close reading, it is arguable that Othellos character displays the former, the latter or both of these traits, depending on ones own personal view and the consideration of whether or not one finds Iago to be consequential to the outcome of the play. Othello was written in about 1604 and deals with the issues of race, jealousy, hatred and murder through a compelling love story. To polite Elizabethan society, the acceptance of Moors was not always agreeable. It is quite likely that the race was misunderstood and even feared, attitudes which are reflected by some of the characters in the play. Othello, a Moor and the highly respected leader of the army, has fallen in love with a Venetian senators daughter, Desdemona. The two secretly marry, much to her fathers disapproval. When a war breaks in Cyprus, Othello is called away taking his new bride with him. It is there that the plot unfolds. Iago, Othellos chief ensign, convinces the Moor that Desdemona has committed adultery with Cassio, his lieutenant, which ultimately leads to her demise and Othellos own downfall. It is this deceit and Iagos motiveless malignity * that shows us Othellos degeneration from nobility to savagery. At the beginning of the play, Othello is shown to be a noble man and highly respected leader. He is well regarded by the senate, shown by the fact that they wish him to command in Cyprus. Othello also shows his eloquence himself, through his use of courtly language. Indeed, throughout the play, Othellos character makes use of that which is often termed the Othello music suffice to say, he speaks with an articulate quality matched by no other; Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors ACT I.3.76 Only Othello is truly given this use of language and his eloquent speeches and richness of imagery help to lead the audience in beginning to regard him differently to the other characters of the play. At this point, Othello can justly be seen to be a Noble Moor. Othellos leadership qualities, which have given rise to such an esteemed reputation, are also shown in Act I. Having only just married Desdemona, he shows no resistance in being posted abroad simply telling her We must obey the time ACT I. 3.296. By this, Othello shows his ability to co-ordinate and assume priorities between his professional and personal lives. Desdemona is truly in love with her husband and her willingness to elope and marry in secret shows her bravery and true commitment to Othello. She speaks highly of him from her first speech in the play;Due to the Moor my lord ACT I. 3. 187 until her last Commend me to my kind lord. O farewell! ACT V. 2. 126 in which she defends Othello for murdering her. It is possible that Desdemona has been deceived by Othellos courtly romancing, but surely, she could not be so naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve that she did not recognise concealment of a truly savage nature. It is arguable that of all the characters, Desdemona, his wife, should know Othellos true temperament and feelings since these must be considered her reasons for becoming his bride. William Shakespeare, a terrific and an outstanding author EssayThat Cassio loves her, I do well believet; That she loves him, tis apt and of great credit. ACT II. 1.267-8 Due to his own experience of being made to feel a cuckold by Emilias supposed adultery, he may feel deep in his confused heart that by warning Othello, he is indeed acting in his masters best interests. This view is unlikely given that Iago is shown to be truly evil by his refusal to speak in Act five. However, the view of Leavis does in part support this in that he deems Othello far too quick to respond to Iagos machinations and points to the fact that it is Othellos weaknesses rather that Iagos strengths which lead to disaster. Othello and Desdemona have been married for a very short period that fact and considering Othello is more used to the ways of his soldiers than that of courtly Venetian women, shows how his relationship with his wife can be seen as inherently weak. Othello begins to regard himself as an unworthy husband to Desdemona. As shown in many theatre productions, we are led to understand that he is her senior by many years and Othellos own insecurities regarding his race and other suitors, which she had the opportunity to marry become apparent; haply for I am black, And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have ACT III. 3.265-267 By the penultimate act of the play, Othellos use of courtly speech and verse virtually disappears and begins instead to reflect that of Iago; You are most welcome, sir, to Cyprus. Goats and Monkeys! ACT IV. 1 254 . Othellos inner turmoil is now continually on his mind and begins to interfere with his duties regarding the visiting Venetians a situation that the previously calm Othello would never have permitted. His obsession is so consuming that he even strikes Desdemona in the company of Lodovico. That the Venetians surprise at this event is so great, does testify that this side of Othello is previously unknown, if it ever existed before; this would not be believed in Venice,/Though I should swear I sawt ACT IV. 1. 232-3 but his actions can now be termed brutal and violent so indeed he does seem to have become a Dangerous Savage. Once Iago is apprehended and removed from the focus of the play, it as if his spell (or perhaps curse) is broken. Othello reverts to his former eloquence and redeems himself in his final speech by accounting himself as a man who loved not wisely but too well ACT V.2. 340 this shows how Iago manipulated Othellos own self-confessed weaknesses. Othellos final speech can however, be viewed with in less forgiving light as in that of Leavis, there seems to be no learning through suffering. Othello does not express regret at killing his wife but he does in fact forgive himself and justify his actions. Rather than admitting to his mistakes and learning from them, Othello considers himself the victim and for a man who wishes to be seen as courageous, is permitted the ideal suicide; Set you down thisAnd smote him thus. ACT V. 2 347-52 I personally feel that Othello is not entirely primitive in social and cultural development but a man whose exchange for a life of brave leadership in warfare to that of inexperience in courtly love, led to the realisation of his own weaknesses. His inability to deal with a situation in which he did not command absolute control gave sway to his inherent feelings of insecurity resulting in actions the like of which he could not have foreseen. His eloquence and calm commands show his natural nobility. However, his violent fits of rage convey the inner savage that his insecurities have created but do not reflect his character in its entirety. There is no question that some savage qualities exist, however they only become apparent because of the astonishing nature of Iagos manipulations and his ultimate desire for Othellos destruction.