Essay on Justice and Injustice in Othello - 1170 Words

Justice and Injustice in Othello In the Tragedy of Othello, by William Shakespeare, a great injustice is done to the main character, Othello the Moor. Othello is manipulated by the villain Iago to satiate Iago’s need for control and his desire for revenge. Othello the General has promoted another, Cassio, to hold the position that Iago feels he deserves. For the injustice that Iago feels has been committed against him, he brings about the destruction of Othello and his wife, Desdemona, using Cassio as his tool for doing so. Iago is the master villain in Othello, and is indeed a prototypal villain; that is, he is the mould for many other villains in their own deeds. He appears to be cunning, decisive, and able to take†¦show more content†¦Iago plants ideas in Othello’s head, uses the innocent actions of others as his proof; and Othello, who is not practiced in worldly matters, believes his the misnomer of the â€Å"honest Iago†, and eventually is consumed by the lie. Shakespeare portrays the character of Othello as a man who is calm and steadfast, as shown by reactions of Othello in Act I, scenes ii-iii, when Senator Brabantio accuses Othello of using witchcraft to woo his daughter. Othello replies calmly and eloquently in contrast to Brabantio’s hysteria, explaining that he did not use any sorcery except that of his presence. He tells Iago, when Iago urges him to hide, â€Å"My parts, my title, and my perfect soul/ Shall manifest me rightly.† Othello is a man who is in control of his emotions, and is seen as a strong, respectable man in such whereas Brabantio’s is not. Iago attempts to discredit Cassio is the eyes of Othello (II.iii). He enables Cassio to become intoxicated and then later Roderigo picks a fight with him. Othello finds Cassio at fault for the fight, which he seems to be at first glance., and removes him from his office. Even after it is done with, neither have any idea they were manipulated by Iago, but think he is a wonderful person, better, in fact, because of this incident. Iago drives a stake in between Othello and Cassio, one that he slips in to break them apart. Once Cassio is relieved from his post, he is no longer presentShow MoreRelatedEveryone At Some Point Or Another Has Been Passed Over.902 Words   |  4 Pagespossibility to become an Iago from Othello by William Shakespeare. The difference is Iago has certain traits that makes him the villain. Iago possesses a need for justice that reveals his true character: bitter/hateful, deceptive, and manipulative. His commitment to himself and his sense of justice reveals the theme: if bitterness is left uncheck it can evolve into a vengeful perspective on life. In the beginning of the play, the reader can sympathize with Iago’s need for justice. The reader learns that heRead More Iago: Suffering Through Evil1471 Words   |  6 Pagesman with no filter of morality (). The soldier’s jealousy converges with his personal injustice to direct his passion of hate towards the Moor. Iago accuses Othello of having relations with his wife, and that Othello has not given him the correct rank that he has earned after years of service at Othello’s side. Iago had devoted his intelligence and efficiency to good and, from that he gained nothing. Othello gave the lieutenant ship to Cassio and thus turned Iago’s jealousy towards Cassio as wellRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Othello By William Shakespeare1600 Words   |  7 PagesIn The Tragedy of Othello, Shakespeare constructs the character of the war hero and â€Å"noble Moor,† whose sense of honor and justice is compromised and brings about his downfall. The story is set in the island of Cyprus, where war has broken out between Venice and the invading Turks. Othello is respected and his military skills coupled with a charismatic and self-reliant character made Desdemona fall in love with h im. He measures his self-worth and honorability based on his valor and his treasuredRead MoreOthello: the Noble Savage Essay1893 Words   |  8 PagesOthello: The Noble Savage There are many opposing views to the way that Othello is defined within Shakespeares The Tragedy of Othello. Some suggest that Othello is a savage Moor, and at no point is he the noble Venetian he attempts to portray himself as. Others suggest that Othello is the noble Venetian he portrays himself as, and his ultimate demise stems directly from Iago being a savage. Yet some agree that Othello is both the noble Venetian and the savage Moor, unable to fullyRead MoreConflict Essay- English1596 Words   |  7 Pagesemphatic depth into the concept of internal and external conflict, the texts Othello composed by Shakespeare and 1984 devised by George Orwell, attracts the audience to see, feel and experience the compelling turmoil’s that erupt. The consequences of racial discrimination, the contrasting of a democracy and a totalitarian society, reality and derealisation, along with the animosity and momentum to seek revenge and justice, to enhance the audiences understanding an d interpretation of these conflictsRead MoreHow The Paths Of Religion And Racism982 Words   |  4 Pagesrole, an actual Egyptian could have also played the role and been more culturally appropriate. During the civil rights movement in 1965, Shakespeare Othello came out (Complex). Laurence Olivier, a white actor, wore black face â€Å"which is makeup used by a nonblack performer play a black role (Oxford English Dictionary).† Though it was used to portray Othello, blackface is considered comical to whites and highly racist and offensive. Unfortunately, modern racism within the last year has been on the riseRead More Feminist Reading of Shakespeares The Winters Tale Essay1457 Words   |  6 Pagesvested with varying degrees of power in relation to the tragic heroes. In looking back at Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, The Winters Tale can be seen as an extension of the exploration into the nature of women and power broached in his earlier tragedies, as well as an amendment for the misogynistic attitudes they contain. In our class discussions, we were vexed by a condition we found prevalent in both Othello and King Lear; both of these plays end with the deaths of two innocent women: DesdemonaRead MoreOthello and Frankenstein Essay1929 Words   |  8 Pagesborn into a life where causing misery is his driving force. Do these features really define what a monster is; works of literature like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Shakespeare’s Othello tell quite a different story. Monsters are not born but made just as people are not born evil but can sometimes end up there. Othello and the Monster start of as good men looking to be part of society but were pushed out because of what others perceived them to be. This caused them to mentally and physically isolateRead MoreThe Flaws of the Tragic Hero Hamlet in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay974 Words   |  4 PagesWith Hamlet being generally labeled as the best tragic hero ever created, it is ironic that his tragic flaw has never been as solidly confirmed as those of most of his fellow protagonists. There is Macbeth with his ambition, Oedipus with his pride, Othello with his jealousy, and all the others with their particular odd spots. Then there is Hamlet. He has been accused of everything and of nothing, and neither seems to stick. Flaws are carved out of obscure conversations when he may or may not be speakingRead More Lack of Judgment by King Lear Essay1323 Words   |  6 PagesLack of Judgment by King Lear        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   King Lear is a play written by William Shakespeare that focuses on the relationships of many characters, some good, and some evil.   This is a great tragedy that is full of injustice at the beginning and the restoration of justice towards the end.   The good are misjudged as evil and the evil are accepted as good.   It is not until the end of the play that the righteous people are recognized as such.   There is great treachery and deceit involved in the

Socrates s Value Of Athenian Law - 1586 Words

We are comfortable breaking the law when we feel it does not apply to us, that laws such as the speed limit are not real laws because everyone breaks them. In 399 BC, Socrates would have disagreed with this assertion, and died in part to keep this idea from spreading. Socrates was sentenced to death by an Athenian court, though the punishment did not fit the crimes he was accused of. We assume that any knowingly innocent person would have escaped this sentence if given the opportunity and support to do so, yet Socrates refused to and died soon after. Over 2,000 years later, Martin Luther King, Jr. is also imprisoned for a petty crime and saw his actions in line with Socrates, as they were both unjustly jailed for questioning their†¦show more content†¦He hoped to maintain structure within society but wanted to break down the â€Å"false sense of superiority† (King 39) of white people. Nonviolent disobedience was an outlet to create this unavoidable and uncomfortable tension in society while averting chaos by forcing those ignoring the minority to eventually listen. Civil disobedience is not about breaking the law, but breaking laws you cannot morally approve of or consider to be laws. It can be seen as rejecting the status quo through openly breaking an unjust law and accepting the consequences for one’s actions while having an action attached to your goal, and all the while being respectful to the society and rule of law. King’s justification for civil disobedience was through his morals in accordance with a higher power, acted out by breaking down oppressive structures that makes difference legal and distort personalities and senses of self worth (King 39), but Socrates did not have a similar distinct motive against the laws for his philosophical debates. King related, â€Å"Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind†¦ we must see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (King 37). His p arallel between the work of the Civil Rights Movement and the work of Socrates illustrates how essential civil disobedience was to him for opening theShow MoreRelatedSocrates Was A Greek Philosopher And The Main Source Of Western Thought Essay928 Words   |  4 PagesSocrates was a Greek philosopher and the main source of Western thought. He was born circa 470 BC, in Athens, Greece and also through the writings of his students, Plato and Xenophon we of his life. Socrates was the son of Sophroniscus, an Athenian sculptor and stone maker, and Phaenarete, a midwife. Because he was not from a superior family, he got a basic Greek education and learned his father s craft at a young age. Before Socrates devoted his life to philosophy, it is believed he worked asRead MoreAnalysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.s Letter From A Birmingham Jail1493 Words   |  6 Pagesthe law when we feel it does not apply to us, that laws such as the speed limit are not real laws because everyone breaks them. In 399 BC, Socrates would have disagreed with this assertion, and died in part to keep this idea from spreading. Socrates was sentenced to death by an Athenian court, though the punishment did not fit the crimes he was accused of. We assume that any knowingly innocent person would have escaped this sentence if given the opportunity and support to do so, yet Socrates refusedRead MoreThe Socratic Problem Of Socrates1462 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates was born in 469 B.C.E., in Athens, Greece. He was a loyal citizen of Athens who also served as a soldier as required for Athens males. His philosophy, or as it was called, his Socratic Method, laid the stones for what became to be known as Western philosophy. However, Socrates remains one of the most powerful, yet misunderstood and enigmatic figures of philosophy. What is known about Socrates comes from writings of other philosophers, such as his follower Plato, and Plato’s student, AristotleRead MoreReaction Paper On Socrates1250 Words   |  5 PagesSocrates was born in circa 470 BC, in Athens Greece. The way we know about Socrates life through the writing of his fellow students, including Plato and Xenophon. In this paper, I will be discussing: the problem that most of his fellow citizens have against him and how can philosophy help us. The kind values that Socrates defends through his trail, and how the knowledge and virtue are required for a meaningful life. First, what from his perspective, is the problem that most of his fellow citizensRead MoreSocrates : Not Guilty1610 Words   |  7 PagesSocrates: Not Guilty Intro (138) In 399 BC, when he was seventy years old, Socrates was called into court by three men: Meletus, a poet, Anytus, a politician, and Lycon, an orator. The specific charges were impiety (namely that he did not believe in the gods of Athens, and instead had introduced new gods), and corruption of the youth of the city. The account of Socrates’ trial is preserved in the Apology by Plato, a dialogue that ought not to be considered a verbatim report of Socrates’ defenseRead MoreSocrates s Argument On The Jury1830 Words   |  8 Pageshis behalf, â€Å"Socrates says what he means on the stand hold honesty above all else, so when he is offered a chance to escape from his execution he does not take it. By refusing to escape, he reiterates how sticking to agreements is important to him. Socrates commitment to the societal agreement between him and the city where he is allowed to live in Athens and leave at anytime so long as he follows the rules and expectations of the society . When speaking for the law in Crito, Socrates points out thatRead MoreTry to Persuade Socrates Friends to Save Him Against His Will1191 Words   |  5 PagesTry to persuade the Socrates`s friends to save him, against his will. Socrates Is one of the most colorful figures of the ancient Greek world, who the strangeness of privacy life have always been of special philosophical and political science. He was convict to death because he does not believe in God and corrupted the youth people to do the same. In Plato`s dialogue Crito, Socrates spent his last time in the prison. Crito is coming to save Socrates and have plans how toRead MoreGreek Society vs. Socrates Essay897 Words   |  4 PagesGreek Society vs. Socrates What make a man virtuous? Throughout many texts of Greek society the picture of a perfect man is painted and apparent. This man, the â€Å"perfect man†, is the virtuous Greek citizen. Who is virtuous not only in the eyes of society, but also at home, in war, and in his relationship to the God(s). Also in Greek society, there was a man named Socrates who’s opinion differed with his culture’s thoughts, and he constructed his own thoughts and beliefs of what characteristicsRead MoreEvolution of Slavery in Justice Essay1183 Words   |  5 Pagesto a depraved custom. Slavery’s immorality is not limned in a constitution. Slavery is immoral because time has proven it to be immoral. Beginning as early as 2000 BC there have been laws protecting slaves. The Babylonian king Hammurabi enacted the Code of Hammurabi sometime during the eighteenth century BC. In the law code Hammurabi delineated three distinct levels of crime. The highest was the proverbial eye for an eye, which was the punishment for injuring a citizen. The second tier called for aRead MoreThe Rational Vs. The Emotional1573 Words   |  7 Pagesdefinitely the case with Crito and Socrates in â€Å"Crito† by Plato. Socrates and Crito are having an intimate conversation about reasons why Socrates should escape. Socrates is charged on corrupting the minds of the youth in Athens. Crito, who is Socrates student and close friend, tries to persuade him to escape because he did not believe Socrates committed any actual crime. Socrates, on the other hand, gives his own reasons for staying in jail. Crito’s argument for Socrates to escape from jail are more emotion

Pushed Too Far free essay sample

An analysis of the theme of pride in the play Medea. In this paper, the issue of pride in the play Medea is discussed. This theory of pride is the reason Medea kills her children is then applied to the Lemak murder trial and Keyser Soze in The Usual Suspects. The phenomenon of parents killing their children is an old concept. No matter how far back in time this phenomenon occurred, it was at least known of at the time of Euripides when he wrote, Medea. In this play, a woman, Medea, kills her children as a way to get back at her cheating husband, Jason. There are many factors involved in her decision to do this act of unspeakable brutality, and her own sense of pride is high on this list. In fact, pride seems to be the primary reason. This sense of over-pride that pushes one too far in their actions can, and for this paper, will be called the Medea Complex. We will write a custom essay sample on Pushed Too Far or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This complex is alive and well in society, surfacing most notably in the case of Marilyn Lemak, who killed her three young children after her husband had pushed her too far in her eyes. The Medea Complex is at work in this real-life case, but is also shown in the movie The Usual Suspects.