Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Creating Character in Othello
Write an analytical paragraph in which you explore how Shakespeare uses figurative language to establish the character of one of two minor characters: Brabantio or the Duke. Practice organizing your paragraph around the five features of analytical paragraphs that we discussed in class: a topic sentence, quote contextualization, direct quotation, ideas/claims, and an explanation that links the ideas to the specific details of the text.
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Through use of figurative language, Shakespeare reveals that Brabantio is prejudiced and bad-tempered. When Brabantio chastises Othello, a black man he had never met before, he refers to him as “such a thing as thou” (Shakespeare 27). Brabantio’s words show that he is incredibly racist as he calls Othello a “thing”, alienating him because of the color of his skin. His statements also reveal the irrational thoughts of Brabantio as he is quick to judge someone he has just met. With this rash and racist statement, it is evident that this brilliant use of figurative language makes Brabantio’s characteristics come to life.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses figurative language to show the Duke's just and reasonable nature. When Othello is accused of kidnapping Desdemona, and Brabantio blames Othello irrationally, the Duke says "To vouch this is no proof without more wider and more overt test that these thin habits and poor likelihoods" (1.3.125) The way the Duke responds in a rational an calm manner shows he is fair and reasonable. He believes in a fair court system and refuses to prosecute Othello without evidence. This figurative language shows the Duke's just and calm nature.
ReplyDeleteIn his play, "Othello," Shakespeare effectively establishes Brabantio's unwavering family loyalty through the use of figurative language. When Iago and Rodrigo come to tell him that Desdemona has snuck out to marry Othello he first blames Desdemona saying; “O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood! Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters’.” However, soon after, he is able to convince himself that Othello is guilty of stealing his daughter with the aid of black magic. He says, “Is there not charms by which the property of youth and maidenhood may be abused?” This proves that Brabantio is very loyal to his family. However, it also proves that he is so loyal that he is quick to blame anyone but his own daughter. This is apparent because at first, he says that Desdemona committed “blood treason” but he soon frees his daughter of blame by accusing Othello of using “charms.” This proves that he would rather accuse Othello of a crime that goes against everything we know about his character instead of laying the blame on his own daughter. Through this passage, Shakespeare is successful in conveying the fact that Brabantio has strong and steadfast family ties
ReplyDeleteShakespeare establishes that Brabantio is ill-tempered and slightly racist by using figurative language. In the first scene of the first act Iago attempts to persuade Brabantio that Othello has "stolen Desdemona from him. Iago tells him "an old black ram is tupping your white ewe." (1.1.97) and he calls Othello a "lacivious Moor," and Brabantio agrees even though he knew Othello. This proves that Brabantio always believed the racist stereotypes surrounding Othello and other people of African descent. Also, in act 1 scene 2, Brabantio calls Othello a "Thing such as thou" (1.2.90) which is evidence of his ill-temperedness and mild racism. Through these words, Shakespeare eloquently describes and implies that Brabantio is a mildly racist, ill-tempered man.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses figurative language to show Brabantio is assuming and basing his actions on preconceived notions. Brabantio says "Look to her Moor, If tho hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee."(Shakespeare act 1 sc. 3 line 334) Here Brabantio is assuming that Desdemona will deceive someone again simply because she deceived him. He is claiming that Desdemona's actions are just who she is and that it has nothing to do with him. The figurative language used in this quotation shows Shakespeare's talent at portraying Brabantio's character.
ReplyDeleteUsing figurative language, Shakespeare characterizes Brabantio as a racist stubborn man who's mind is set on believing that Othello used black magic and poison on his daughter. As Brabantio is explaining to the Duke how Desdemona could not have fallen in love with him on her own, he tries to shove the idea of Othello using dangerous concoctions on Desdemona down the Duke's throat. "I therefore vouch again that with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood...he wrought upon her" (1.3.121-124). The way Brabantio explains how Desdemona could only be in love with Othello because of poison shows how stubborn, racist, and irrational he is. By choosing for Brabantio to say these powerful phrases, Shakespeare did a marvelous job of conveying Brabantio's character.
ReplyDeleteIn the play "Othello" Shakespeare shows how Brabantio is an ill mannered man with a racist attitude towards Othello. (1.3. 80-88) "She is abused, stolen from me, and corrupted." Brabantio has made the statement that Othello has used black magic to make his daughter fall in love with him. Brabantio conveying to Othello that his daughter could never fall in love with man like him. Which is a false statement. This conveys to the reader or viewer of how ill minded and racist that Brabantio is. This also shows how stubborn he is not even thinking about asking his daughter Desdemona since he thinks that she is under the chains of Othellos black magic.
ReplyDeleteIn the play "Othello" Shakespeare was able to show how wrong Brobantio is in his assumptions and statements towards Othello "when we are introduced to the Duke. And, noble signior, If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black." (1.3.328-331). The Duke talks very highly about Othello and calls him things that are almost the polar opposite of what Iago had said calling Othello terrible things to convince Brobantio how bad Othello is. The Duke paints a picture of Othello that Othello himself has shown to be true, countering Brobantio's false image.
ReplyDeleteIn the play "Othello", Shakespeare establishes that Brabantio is prejudice and ignorant through the use of figurative language. An example of figurative language being used to show that Brabantio is ignorant and prejudice is shown on page 33 on line 72 of Act 1. Sc. 3. In this scene Brabantio barges in on a military meeting in order to inform everyone that his daughter has been stolen. He uses vulgar and cruel language in order to describe the conflict. Brabantio says, "Ay, to me. She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted by spells and medicines bought of mountebanks; for nature so prepost'rously to err - being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense - sans witchcraft could not." This section of the novel shows how bigoted and ignorant Brabantio is. Not only does he bash on Othello, which the other people don't know yet, but he also supports his claims with NO evidence what so ever. Based on this evidence, it is clear that Shakespeare reveals Brabantio's ignorance and racism through figurative language.
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