Friday, February 1, 2013

Othello #4: Changes in Othello's Reactions to Conflict

During the first two acts of the play, Othello is portrayed as superhuman and superior to everyone else. When resolving conflicts, Othello shies away from violence and instead uses his superior orating skills and logic to gain respect and resolve conflicts. Othello seems to be a master of logic, and he is able to remain unemotional while making decisions. However, in Act III, Othello is portrayed as more emotional and more like an average man who succumbs to emotions. When dealing with Desdemona's potential infidelity, Othello continually asks to see then handkerchief and he vilifies her when she cannot produce it (III. iii. 59-113). Othello's tone in this situation is accusatory, yet Desdemona has no idea what she is being accused of. Othello responds emotionally to the potential of Desdemona being unfaithful, which contrasts the responses he had to conflicts while in Venice. In Venice, Othello uses logic to respond to unfriendly situations, but in Cyprus Othello responds emotionally. This change in Othello's reactions parallels the change in scenery where Venice represents order and Cyprus represents chaos.

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