Othello :: essays research papers fc

Elliot, T.S. The Hero substantial Himself Up. Shakespeare and the Stoicism of Seneca. ED. Leonard F. Dean, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1961. 153-155In T.S. Elliots essay, The Hero Cheering Himself Up, he takes the viewpoint that Othello is both influenced by and influences Seneca, the Roman philosopher and author of tragedies. It is non the Attitude of Seneca but i is derived from Seneca(153). He also compares Shakespeare to early(a) authors such as Chapman and Marston, who he says were quite influenced by Seneca. The main thing that he says they have in common is the way that the heroes of their plays are dramaticized at the height of the tragedy. He does, however, nominate that it is his faith that Shakespeare does this much better. He works it in to fit naturally with the benignant nature of his characters. Elliot states that the final speech of Othello is the most terrible exposure of human weakness- of universal weakness(153. He says that this speech is usually read quite superficially, but when one looks deeper, he can see that Othello is trying to cheer himself up. He wants to escape reality and think only of himself. He does this because thinking good of yourself, in Elliots opinion, is one of the easiest things to do. Elliot also compares the death of Othello to the deaths of some Shakespeares other heroes- mainly Antony and Coriolanus. H believes that these deaths were also strongly influenced by Seneca.Gray, Garry Iagos Metamorphosis Iago. Ed. Harold Bloom, Chelsea House, 1992. 212-218Garry Grays essay, Iagos Metamorphosis, is based on the belief that society does not allow for or encourage personal individualization. He states that Shakespeares Othello is concerned with this issue. This is mainly expressed through the character of Iago. he goes through a transfiguration in the play. He starts out being socially dominated, and ends up being in a state of total psychological freedom. Grays opinion is that this allows him the opportunity to vict imize and exploit others. Gray also believes that Shakespeare is attempting to express his own opinion that one has to conform to a socially accepted behavior in order to attain a goal, such as when Iago wanted a promotion. Gray points out, however, that conforming to these socially accepted rules for behavior does not always go in achievement of a goal. He therefore believes that the reason for Iagos metamorphosis was bitterness and frustration.