Sunday 5 February 2012

Comment on how the setting of Act 1, Scenes 1-3 help Shakespeare prepare the reader for tragedy.

  • Scene one is set in Venice which was known for being very cultured and accepting at the time, yet things still go slightly wrong for Othello, as he is called a 'foul thief' by Brabantio as he has supposedly 'enchanted' Desdemona. -- Cyprus was known as barbaric, meaning that if tragedy was narrowly avoided in the cultured Venice, it must be inevitable in a war zone like Cyprus.
  • Shakespeare uses Othello's race, and characteristics as a warrior to allow him to contrast with the populous of Venice-- this contrast isolates the character from his setting, creating a sense of tragedy and allowing the audience to empathize with Othello, further enhancing the emotional impact when the ultimate tragedy finally occurs
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1 comment:

  1. Mr Bourke7 February 2012 at 09:13

    Don, whoever you may be, some good points here but a little short - also consider the role of the duke in maintainig law and order and the impications of this once everyone goes to cyprus where there is no duke.

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