At the end of Othello – after the deaths of Desdemona, Othello and Emilia – Lodovico describes the tragedy as the result of Iago’s villainy and Othello’s failings, rather than due to societal attitudes towards women, or systemic violence. Othello expresses his change of thought when he says 'Haply for I am black, and have not those soft parts of conversation that chamberers have or for I am declined Into the vale of years.' Most para-mount, however, is jealousy. He spies on Cassio (prompted by Iago) instead of openly confronting him. Othello and King Shahrayar, from The Arabian Nights, are very similar in their brash decisions.The King was cheated on by his wife and as a result he killed his wife and many wives after that. Othello opens at the Sydney Opera House on October 27. "And at every curtain call, the first thing I do is ask Elizabeth if she's OK. We do it with just a look. Othello publicly insults & strikes his wife “subtle whore” “impudent strumpet” “devil” ", The actors and crew are supporting each other through the inevitable emotional side-effects of playing such a scene. Othello is presented as a violent husband who is insecure as he is quick to strike Desdemona when she received news from her cousin Lodovico. Othello then plans to murder Desdemona and Cassio. "I can't describe how awful it feels sometimes," says Chong Nee. Othello describes his courtship of Desdemona, who, when she enters, tells her father and the senators that she has married Othello because she loves him. Othello had to … Othello’s tragic fate is tied directly to his overblown pride and his unwillingness to see the actual truth, only the truth he believes in. Othello into believing that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with Cassio. Deeply embedded societal beliefs – for example, the belief … that men’s intimate partners and children are their possessions to do with as they please; that women are inferior to men – influence men’s choices to commit sexual and other acts of violence. For decades, much of the conversation around Shakespeare's Othello has been dominated by issues of race, by debates about who should play the title role, who should not, and if the play should even be performed at all. When she discovers it was Desdemona's handkerchief which served as the primary evidence in convincing Othello of his wife's alleged affair, she knows her husband Iago is at the bottom of it. This also means it has been incorporated into the Dramatica Story Expert application itself as an easily referenced contextual example. In unusually coarse imagery, Iago then introduces the subject of what kind of evidence would resolve Othello's doubts. We always take a second before we bow to check in with each other. That Othello’s “virtue” is more real than his race and color is an odd conclusion to draw from a play in which his race and color are frequently emphasized[5] and remain constant from beginning to end but in which his virtue is undermined, in his own eyes entirely lost (V.ii.245), and in our eyes and those of the characters on stage (cf. Othello describes his courtship of Desdemona, who, when she enters, tells her father and the senators that she has married Othello because she loves him. Lecture on Othello - Othello's Jealousy. He is absolutely responsible. Cassio, who has always given loyal and responsible service to his general Othello gets hatred and violence in return; but silly Othello rewards the terribly evil lago with love and trust in return to his betrayal. The quote shows that Othello does love his wife and does not want to think ill of her. At Othello’s suggestion, the duke sends for Desdemona. “She’s gone, I am abused, and my relief / Must be to loather her” quickly escalates to “I’ll tear her all to pieces!” and “chop her into messes.”. However, Othello’s faith in Desdemona also opens the door for Iago to give Othello seeming “proof” of Desdemona’s infidelity. When Brabantio and Othello arrive, the duke insists on evidence to support the old man’s charge that Othello has bewitched Desdemona. throughout his works, particularly those of love, death, and betrayal. The questions of identity, race, terror, sex, violence, religion and gender raised by Shakespeare’s plays continue to be hotly debated in contemporary culture, though rarely with the subtlety and intelligence found in Shakespeare. His downfall is inextricably tied to the murder of Desdemona - it’s not a romantic moment as I’ve often seen portrayed, he looking away and she passing like a crushed violet. No honour here ... Ray Chong Nee (Othello) and Elizabeth Nabben (Desdemona). For a 21st century audience informed by the findings of the Royal Commission, the pathos of the play comes from how unnecessary and preventable – yet inevitable within the story – are the deaths. It also reports: a demonstrable link between family violence, homicide and suicide … a large number of men who died from suicide in Victoria between 2009 and 2012 had a history of family violence. Othello tests his wife’s loyalty secretly (“fetch me the handkerchief, my mind misgives”) instead of openly confronting her and attempting real communication. Save. According to Aristotle’s Poetics, a classical tragic hero should be renowned and prosperous, superior in some specific way, so that the reversal of fortunes or downfall, stirs up feelings within the audience of a greater intensity. The bestial images that Iago conjures up reek of base sexuality, for now Iago no longer needs to rely on innuendo. His fear stems from both feeling upstaged by Cassio, the epitome of masculinity in Othello, as well as having an outspoken wife who refuses to conform to societal standards. Killing Desdemona: the domestic violence in Othello. On subsequently learning there had been no affair, he kills himself. Thieves, thieves! Many of Othello's insecurities are derived from his race and from the perception that he is lowlier than his wife. London: MacMillan and Co., 1919. He believes in his own abilities to find the truth so fully that Iago exploits him masterfully, making Othello believe in his lies as perfectly as if they were truth. Desdemona herself adopts the narrative of being the property of others, saying she has preserved her body for Othello “from any other unlawful touch”. Just the thought that every day there is a woman out there and this is happening to her is … horrifying. By Elissa Blake. In fact, the word 'whore' is used more in this play than in any other Shakespeare play - over 13 times. When Othello lost his love, his life turned to chaos. Othello into believing that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with Cassio. He basically calls her a ‘whore’ and Othello later does so as well. He does this through a series of suggestions and hesitations that entice and implant images into Othello's head that lead him to his own demise. Can a modern audience, viewing Othello through a 21st century framework of family violence, still see the play as a tragedy? Traditionally, she is meant to lie down and be sacrificed. Shakespeare refutes the idea of mismatch on the surface level with the veracity of the pure love that Desdemona has for Othello. University of Technology Sydney provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU. He spies on Cassio (prompted by Iago) instead of openly confronting him. Nabben was determined to ensure Desdemona's death could not be seen as act of submission. Othello’s own latent insecurity makes him fall prey to Jealousy. Matthew Shepherd does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. How might the commission’s recommendations have prevented the violence in Shakespeare’s play? Venetian society is barely aware of male violence towards women. “Othello himself is deluding himself by constructing an image for him to be remembered as, with an inescapable conflict between self-deception and self-awareness, which is evidence of his incapacity to love “well. Othello Analysis . ... gives his "jewel" the implication is a warning to treasure the jewel as he has or "else". Bell Shakespeare’s production of Othello is touring Australia until December 2016. Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags. Othello's insecurities are so close to the surface that a few words of hint and innuendo from Iago can tear the confident exterior and expose his fears, desires, and tendency to violence. From Shakespearean Tragedy by A. C. Bradley. It's not easy to kill someone and it shouldn't look like it is.". At that point, Iago realized that his plan worked perfectly and that he had Othello in his grips. Othello and King Shahrayar, from The Arabian Nights, are very similar in their brash decisions.The King was cheated on by his wife and as a result he killed his wife and many wives after that. And how such deaths continue today. Othello then plans to murder Desdemona and Cassio. Women and children, like men, are socialised in a world where such beliefs are embedded in language, the family and other common social institutions and practices … often women believe that the violence is their own fault. When charged before the Senate with the abduction of Desdemona, Othello's defence consists of a frank and free admission that he had taken Brabantio's daughter, and an apologetic account of his "whole course of love." Lecturer Dispute Resolution Advocacy, University of Technology Sydney. I am fighting for my life. However, once he makes a decision, he is again the military man, decisive in action. Othello believed that his wife cheated on him and as a result he kills his wife as shown by Othello when he says “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men” (5.2.6). Write an article and join a growing community of more than 118,600 academics and researchers from 3,811 institutions. Othello was one of very few black men in Venice and Desdemona was a very young and very beautiful white woman. "I wanted it to be brutal and violent and messy. Credit:Daniel Boud. The commission noted that too little effort is devoted to preventing the occurrence of family violence in the first place. Instead, I try to find that little piece inside of me that is happy, and let that grow.". The implication is that if she actually had an affair with Cassio, Othello would have considered the killing justified, and not taken his own life. A view of family violence as an act of male entitlement, reflective of social beliefs of women as property, removes the tragic glory from Othello’s suicide. Although Othello was naive and wrong to put his trust in Iago without the presence of any real evidence, he did so partly because of his low self-esteem. The masculine principle is a principle based on the submission and subjugation … "Shakespeare tries to return some dignity to Othello which is something I don't think you can or should do in a contemporary production," he says. Othello cannot stand uncertainty; it drives him to destroy his sanity. …you’re robbed. Firstly, when Othello strikes his wife in public, then when he kills her, and when Iago stabs his wife, Emilia. At that point, Iago realized that his plan worked perfectly and that he had Othello in his grips. Ray Chong Nee, who plays Othello in the upcoming Bell Shakespeare production, wants the conversation to turn to something he believes is more urgent: domestic violence. In the Shakespeare play, Iago, when describing Desdemona’s secret marriage to Othello to her father Brabantio, characterises it as an act of theft. Desdemona herself struggles to identify or understand her abuse. In addition, audiences think and reflect their own life after watching the play. He makes increasingly violent threats to harm and kill Desdemona. We are left without a tragedy and just a murder. Othello triumphantly admits to Emilia that he killed Desdemona, and when she asks him why, Othello tells her that Iago opened his eyes to Desdemona’s falsehood. "She is kicking, slapping, doing everything her body can possibly do to push me off her," Chong Nee says. "We wanted to make it clear Othello is a pathetic figure, not an honorable man.". Iago uses language to manipulate Othello into a state of doubt about his wife’s faithfulness. The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the Storyform for Othello.Unlike most of the analysis found here—which simply lists the unique individual story appreciations—this in-depth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. "We wanted to make her death more realistic and have her fight for her life, which doesn't usually happen. The abuse escalates again when Othello publicly strikes Desdemona. Othello tests his wife’s loyalty secretly (“fetch me the handkerchief, my mind misgives”) instead of openly confronting her and attempting real communication. Unfazed by Othello’s threat that she “were best” to remain silent, Emilia calls out for help, bringing … Indeed, the tragedy of the play could have been prevented by recognising Othello’s controlling behaviour towards Desdemona as violence arising out of societal attitudes as much as Othello’s personality. The commission reports strangulation as a common method used by male perpetrators to kill female victims. At Othello’s suggestion, the duke sends for Desdemona. ’ To what extent is Othello’s own character the cause of his downfall? We didn't want that. Othello publicly insults & strikes his wife “subtle whore” “impudent strumpet” “devil” Othello and Race . There is no tragedy in his mistaken murder of Desdemona. He turns to his general and fawns over his master's distress, noting that Othello is "eaten up with passion" (391). Factors shaping it include gender inequality and community attitudes towards women: Stereotypes about men and women are reinforced through practices such as social tolerance of discrimination and the idea that violence against women is sometimes justified by women’s behaviour – for example, if a woman has sex with another man. The fact that they are obliged to elope makes the illicit nature of their relationship in … Othello's insecurities are so close to the surface that a few words of hint and innuendo from Iago can tear the confident exterior and expose his fears, desires, and tendency to violence. Othello was one of very few black men in Venice and Desdemona was a very young and very beautiful white woman. Desdemona’s viable unfaithfulness is cause for Othello to begin unravelling psychologically. 361) when he knew immediately to ‘smote him thus’, as he was certain of his enemy, but in this case, doubt has impaired his vision and he is unsure who to trust: his new wife or ‘honest Iago’. Killing Desdemona: the domestic violence in Othello. Before she dies Emilia asks her “O, who hath done this deed?”; Desdemona replies, “Nobody; I myself.” And indeed, one victim told the Commission: I didn’t have a language to describe what was wrong in my relationship. It should be violent and hard to watch. “Haply for I am black, And have not those soft parts of conversation That chamberers have…” (Othello, Act 3 Scene 3, Line 267) There should be no honour in it, Evans believes. "Otherwise, I tend to go within myself and just think about all the negative things that happen in the show. Othello believed that his wife cheated on him and as a result he kills his wife as shown by Othello when he says “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men” (5.2.6). 2. "We all agreed that her death shouldn't be softened. (3.3.265) This influence of Iago has the effect of making Othello feel unworthy of his wife and thus more suspicious and jealous of her supposed relationship with Cassio. The tragic sequence of events is triggered by the elopement of Othello and Desdemona. Othello does not "act" like a stereotypical "moor" or black man of Shakespeare's times. Chong Nee and Nabben talk it over regularly. When Othello lost his love, his life turned to chaos. Thus, those straight connections help people to easily feel the violence acts in the play. Updated October 24, 2016 — 3.20pm first published at 2.32pm. Iago’s abuse of his wife Emilia, for instance, is not commented on or apparently even noticed by the other characters. Desdemona attempts to manage Othello’s violence trying to woo him back. "From the outset, as a team, we looked at violence against women in this show and how to present Desdemona's death," Chong Nee says. We cannot accept his claim that he was “one that loved not wisely, but too well”. There is no honour in killing her even if she was unfaithful. The Commission shows the causes of family violence to be complex. ‘A man’s character is his fate. I overpower her. Many of Othello's insecurities are derived from his race and from the perception that he is lowlier than his wife. A view of family violence as an act of male entitlement, reflective of social beliefs of women as property, removes the tragic glory from Othello’s suicide. However, once he makes a decision, he is again the military man, decisive in action. What does the recent Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence tell us about the Venetian general’s murder of his wife Desdemona, and his subsequent suicide? ", Off stage, they hug. The character of Othello is comparatively simple, but, as I have dwelt on the prominence of intrigue and accident in the play, it is desirable to show how essentially the success of Iago's plot is connected with this character. Folger Shakespeare Library, via Wikimedia Commons, Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence. Thus, through watching Othello, audiences can more clearly identify the importance of domestic violence in everyday life. Othello is furious at all the “evidence” of Desdemona’s affair, and considers the proof sufficient because it is from Iago. Copyright © 2010–2020, The Conversation US, Inc. Othello and Desdemona by Alexandre Marie Colin. Othello is furious at all the “evidence” of Desdemona’s affair, and considers the proof sufficient because it is from Iago. Othello suicides not because he killed Desdemona, but rather because he killed her on the mistaken understanding that she had desired and loved another man. 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