Dramatic Irony Used for Characterization in Othello by...

â€Å"Some men just want to watch the world burn,† (Alfred [Michael Caine,] Batman; The Dark Knight). William Shakespeare uses a variety of literary devices throughout his works, but his use of dramatic irony specifically puts his readers at the edge of their seats. Being full of jealousy and betrayal, the plot of Othello is guided by this playwright’s usage of dramatic irony. Through the use of dramatic irony and characterization Shakespeare creates Iago, the most sinister character in all of literature. William Shakespeare, being born on April 23, 1563, was subject to an early renaissance education. With new ideals, such as humanism, spreading throughout Europe during this time it was inevitable that Shakespeare’s writings would be influenced by this. These humanistic qualities can be seen in Shakespeare’s writing, especially in Othello. Unlike his contemporaries, such as Miguel de Cervantes, Shakespeare did not completely absorb the concept humanism into his writing. El Quixote (Cervantes) is a completely humanistic work, but Othello is more reserved. Shakespeare’s characterization of Iago captures these non-humanistic qualities. Throughout Othello, the dramatic irony of â€Å"Honest† Iago is detrimental. Iago serves as Othello’s main attendant and is expected to get the promotion to lieutenant. Unexpectedly though, Othello gives the promotion of lieutenant to Michael Cassio. In all, this catalyzes Iago’s plot for revenge and destruction that will destroy everyShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Cruelty In Othello720 Words   |  3 Pagesfactor. In the play Othello by Shakespeare cruelty functions as a crucial motivation, creating a theme of being careful with who can be trusted because, you never know if they’re telling the whole truth. Throughout the play, diction, dramatic irony, and characterization were used to further emphasis the theme. The characterization of Othello contributes to theme in many different ways. Othello is someone who everyone seemed to trust. â€Å"This only is the witchcraft I have used. Here comes the ladyRead MoreShakespeares Play Othello and Tim Blake Nelsons Film O 826 Words   |  3 Pagesvalues have remained unaffected. Through the texts by composers William Shakespeare and Tim Blake nelson and their texts Othello and the late 20th century contemporary film O, the key values of trust, honesty and loyalty are explored with contextual influences being reflected. The values are explored with the use of thematic development of the key issues jealousy and appearance vs reality and the use of dramatic devices in Othello and cinematic techniques in O. Shakespeares accurate representationRead MoreEssay about There Are as Many Readings of Othello as There Are Readers.1972 Words   |  8 Pagesaspects that might contradict these particular readings. In Othello, there are likewise also many differ ent readings, for example, Feminist, Postcolonial and Aristotelian. It is possible to suggest two readings which perhaps may link to audiences psychologically and ideologically more successfully - the Aristotelian and Feminist reading, and this is evident through the plot, characterization language, and themes underpinning the text Othello. Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher first capturedRead More The Manipulation of Gender Roles in Shakespeare’s Othello Essay4756 Words   |  20 PagesManipulation of Gender Roles in Shakespeare’s Othello Of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, the story of the rise and fall of the Moor of Venice arguably elicits the most intensely personal and emotional responses from its English-speaking audiences over the centuries. Treating the subject of personal human relationships, the tragedy which should have been a love story speaks to both reading and viewing audiences by exploring the archetypal dramatic values of love and betrayal. The final sourceRead More William Shakespeares Use of Song in the Early Comedies3188 Words   |  13 Pagesasleep (II.ii.7), this lullaby serves to advance the plot: during the song the queen not only retires but achieves such slumber as endures undisturbed by King Oberons ensuing mischief. This function resembles that of Let Me the Canakin Clink in Othello II.iii.71-75), explains Seng: not only to establish an atmosphere . . . but to stretch stage-time and make Cassios rapid drunkenness plausible (186). Further, Seng relates, an Elizabethan audience believed that music had actual therapeuticRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Life And Life3795 Words   |  16 PagesPaper March 23, 2016 William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Shakespeare was assumedly educated at the King?s New School in Stratford with an ?emphasis on the Latin classics, including memorization, writing, and acting classic Latin plays,? writes an article entitled Shakespeare?s Life, found on Foldger Shakespeare Library. He most likely attended until around age fifteen. In late 1582, Shakespeare at age 18 married Anne HathawayRead MoreAmerican Literature11652 Words   |  47 Pagesof identity is shaped by cultural and gender attitudes emergence of ethnic writers and women writers Style: ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · narratives: both fiction and nonfiction anti-heroes concern with connections between people emotion-provoking humorous irony storytelling emphasized autobiographical essays Effect: ï‚ · too soon to tell Historical Context: ï‚ · ï‚ · people beginning a new century and a new millennium media culture interprets values Analyzing Poetry: Poetry Tips Analyzing Poetry Read MoreFigurative Language and the Canterbury Tales13472 Words   |  54 Pagesor a personified abstraction †¢ â€Å"Eloquent, just, and mighty Death ! whom none could advise....† †¢ O WORLD, I cannot hold thee close enough! 8. approximate rhyme: also known as imperfect rhyme, near rhyme, slant rhyme, or oblique rhyme. A term used for words in a rhyming pattern that have some kind of sound correspondence but are not perfect rhymes. Often words at the end of lines at first LOOK like they will rhyme but are not pronounced in perfect rhyme. Emily Dickinson’s poems are famous forRead MoreLangston Hughes Research Paper25309 Words   |  102 Pagestree growing between the woodshed and outhouse. Kansas farmers planted the winged seeds for shade trees. He also delivered the Saturday Evening Post and the Lawrence Democrat. With the money, he hoped to buy new boots. Instead, Grandmother Mary used it to make a partial payment on the mortgage. To Langston, the word mortgage seemed almost as bad as the words slavery or Jim Crow Laws, the rules of segregation that kept him and other blacks from using public restrooms or drinking from public fountains