~An Analysis of Status in Shakespeare's Othello~
Othello ~ Othello is able to enjoy the highest status of everyone in the play because he is General of the Venetian Army. However, when not in a military setting, he is ostracized as the only black man in the white society of Venice.
Desdemona ~ Blessed with money she did nothing to deserve, the affluent Desdemona has a high status based on both her wealth and her beauty. In her marriage however, she as almost no power because of her sex and Othello's higher status.
Iago ~ Iago fools some characters with his blasé attitude towards status. However, readers soon discover his desperate need to be Othello's lieutenant after Cassio is (perhaps unfairly) given the position.
Cassio ~ Because of his military position, Cassio had a relatively high status. But after the drunken brawl and the subsequent subjugation from Othello, Cassio lost his military and social rank.
Barbantio - Barbantio attempted to use his status as a Senator to prosecute Othello for "stealing" Desdemona, but Othello's high status allowed him to be exculpated.
No comments:
Post a Comment