*Othello still has the power to move audiences emotionally in the 21st* century, do you agree?
I do agree that Othello still has the power to move us emotionally. The way we’re still kept involved is through relevant themes and main characters. Othello has been described as one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies. The play includes all of the main elements of a tragedy; these themes are love, betrayal, revenge, manipulation, passion and jealousy.
The main perpetrator of the theme manipulation is Iago. Shakespeare makes Iago use descriptive language and imagery to make people think in the way he wants them to. He wants everyone to take his side and to hate Othello so he twists the truth and makes it sound very believable. In lines 116 – 118 in Act 1 scene 1, a technique used is sexual innuendo Iago says “I am one, sir, which comes to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.” Iago manipulates everyone around him, especially Othello, and makes them think wrongly. Iago is a cruel, foul mouthed man whose plan is to destroy as many lives as he possibly can. This is because Iago wants revenge.
Revenge is presented throughout Othello using many techniques, character personalities, and soliloquies central to the play. The theme of revenge is the motivation of Iago’s hatred toward Othello. Iago hates the Moor as he appointed Cassio as his lieutenant and Iago believes there is no possible remedy except revenge. The need for revenge is still part of the 21st century, it drives Iago to do many irrational things and betray people, just like it does the same for some people to this day.
Shakespeare uses animal imagery to employ betrayal. For example “I led Othello, tenderly by the nose as asses are.” He also uses soliloquy to reveal betrayal. An example of this is “Thus do i ever make my foolmy purse.” Iago is admitting to using Roderigo and this allows the audience to interpret the theme betrayal. The audience can acknowledge and...