How
does (do) the physical setting(s) of this play highlight and mirror the inner
conflilcts at work in the characters? To think about this from another
angle, why would Shakespeare move the action to Cyprus after just the 1st
Act?
As the Turks are approaching Cyprus, a storm is approaching the island. Storms, being a symbol for unrest, may be the symbol for an end of peace in the play. With Iago's dark, brewing plan, the reader can suspect the storm to be a foreshadow of the greater inner conflicts to come in the novel. The change of scene from the beautiful city of Venice to the island of Cyprus, colony wanted for the profitable resources of sugar and cotton, can also be seen as a foreshadowing for the future conflicts. Cyprus will inevitably be the site of a battle field, thus representing the change of location from a peaceful setting to one which is not, which mirrors the destined plot of the story. Venice, the initial setting of the novel, is a city constructed around a body of water. Water, seen in many novels and stories, can be a symbol of birth and purity, but is also a mysterious foreboding element. I think the fact that the plot is set in Venice creates an element of perplexity and premonition to the first act of the play.
Both of the physical settings in Othello, Venice and Cyprus, are characterized by a sense of mystery and isolation. While the sense of mystery is derived from the overarching motif of water in both settings, the sense of isolation arises independently in both cases. Venice, of course, at this time was a wealthy Italian city-state that was self-governed and entirely free from any sort of centralized Italian rule, whereas Cyprus was a distant and isolated isle whose lawlessness arose from the fact that its central governing authority was housed over 1,000 miles away. However, in addition to the senses of mystery and isolation, the setting of Cyprus also conveys a sense of violent conflict arising from the island’s status as a valuable colony over which nations frequently go to war. Thus, Shakespeare likely moved the action of the play to Cyprus following Act 1 not only to strengthen the play’s sense of mystery and isolation, but also to emphasize the additional sense of conflict that characterizes the play throughout Acts 2-5.
The play's change in setting from Venice to Cyprus allows for Shakespeare to better describe the downward spiral the love between Othello and Desdemona will fall into. Venice is the well-civilized city-state, bounded to the mainland on the coast of present day Italy. Cyprus, on the contrary, is an uncivilized, underdeveloped island surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. In Venice, Shakespeare focuses on Othello's civic duty as the army's general. As Othello and his wife take ships to Cyrus, Shakespeare is able to transition from a focus on Othello's civic duties to a focus on the love-life of Othello and Desdemona. A sense of isolation is developed from the overarching motif of water in the play, as Shakespeare uses the change in setting to redirect his focus. The isolation also allows for Iago to have more personal interactions with Othello, that pertain more to his scheme and less to his duty as ensign. Water appeared to create a foreshadowing of the fate of Othello and Desdemona as well. In order to get to Cyprus, Othello and Desdemona had to take separate ships. This introduces an element of isolation that will eventually act to tear the two lovers apart as Iago is allowed to carry out his evil plot.
Shakespeare moves the action from Venice to Cyprus in order to free all the characters from their commitments at home. Bringing them to this new island purges their previous duties and allows for new action to occur with a somewhat clean slate. It removes Desdemona from her fathers control and releases the Venetian authority from Iago, Cassio, and the others. In moving the action though, Shakespeare shows the similarities of the internal conflicts and the external conflicts. This in turn highlights the internal conflicts so they can be seen more clearly. Right as an internal conflict is brewing in Iago, which causes internal conflicts in all the characters, the readers hear about a war happening in Cyprus. When they sail over to Cyprus that is when Iago begins to take initiative with his plan to ruin Cassio. So the external conflict of war helps to highlight the internal conflict in Iago. However, just as fast as they sail to Cyprus, the external conflict of war is over. Othello says, “New, lads! Our wars are done” and that is all that is heard of the war ending. However, with the war ending that shifts the focus primarily towards the internal conflicts. Now they are all on an island disconnected from their civil society where they can let the internal conflicts play out.
In Othello, Shakespeare relocates the scene from Venice to Cyprus after just the first scene to indicate a character change. It is significant that Cyprus is an island because it yields a sense of isolation from the characters previous obligations, and like Alyssa said, "allows for new action to occur with a somewhat clean slate". I believe that the separate scene allows for a plot twist, because the characters are disconnected from their normal society. For example, in Venice, Othello is a confident general who is not restricted by the stereotypes other characters indicate. However, after a short while in Cyprus, Othello becomes the monstrous, selfish Moor Iago accuses him to naturally be. The only way for Shakespeare to construct this plot, short of creating an insane Othello, was to switch locations, and no better place to portray this obscurity than a remote island like Cyprus.
The geography of the play, plays mostly into the conflict within Othello himself. The location of Othello and the fact that he is an outsider heavily influences his ability to reason with Iago's claims. Iago feeds off of the fact that Othello is not truly a Venetian and so he uses this to persuade Othello into believing his remarks of Desdemona's infidelity. Iago says things such as "I do not in position distinctly speak of her; though i may fear her will, recoiling to her better judgement, may fall to match you with her country forms". This makes Othello feel as though he has no access to the perspective of a Venetian and that Desdemona will never truly be someone he can understand because they are fundamentally of a different kind. By moving the play to Cyprus after only Act 1, Shakespeare allows for much more to occur outside the realm of the commonplace of Venetian society. Were he to keep the play situated in Venice, there would be far too much speculation over how probable would it be that these things would occur in Venice. You could also say that Shakespeare moved the setting to Cyprus for the symbolism of war. The party initially goes to Cyprus for the battle against the Turks but then ends up in an internal battle instead.
There are many symbolic reasons why Shakespeare decided to move the play to Cyprus after just the first act. Venice is the mother country and it symbolizes peace, love, and, order. This is where Othello and Desdemona fall in love. On their journey to Cyprus, which is a colony of Venice that is known for war, Desdemona's and Othello's ships get separated. This is only a hint at the conflict that will occur in Cyprus. Shakespeare wastes no time, soon after they arrive in Cyprus conflict starts brewing. Cyprus is an island and its isolation provides a place where we can focus in on Othello's house and all of its issues that lead to Othello's belief that Desdemona is cheating. Cyprus is the perfect place to observe the conflict between Desdemona and Othello because there are not many other things going on in Cyprus at the time (the threat of Turks is diminished after the first day).
The change of scenery from Venice to Cyprus after the first act is significant to the development of the play because of what the two locations represent. Venice was a well organized and strongly governed city-state in Italy at the time, which leads the reader to believe that Venice symbolizes strength, civility, and order. In contrast, Cyprus is characterized by low levels of organization and an inability to protect itself from outside influences which represent insecurity, weakness, and lawlessness. These symbols are mirrored in the actions of the characters in both of the locations. In Venice, Othello and Desdemona share a strong, loving relationship that seems to be impervious to complications that would cause their love for each other to waver. However, there is a complete contrast when the scenery shifts to Cyprus because Othello is made to be insecure by Iago manipulating the truth in order to take his “rightful” position that was held by Cassio. Iago’s meddling in the psyche of Othello creates an extremely insecure man who allows his relationship with Desdemona to weaken and falter due to his doubts. Also, the trip to Cyprus is significant because of how Desdemona and Othello’s ships split up in a storm. This employs and effective foreshadow to the course of their relationship on Cyprus because it was broken up in a storm of emotion and doubt led by the insecurities and weakness of Othello.
Within Othello, the physical settings play a key role in highlighting and mirroring the internal conflicts of the characters. Venice, the initial scene within the play, is a place of beauty. By having Othello leave Venice for Cyprus, it foreshadows the loss of beauty within Othello himself. As events unfold in Cyprus, we see the crumbling relations between Othello and those around him. Othello first fires his friend Cassio and later on succumbs to jealousy, even when Desdemona had done nothing to warrant it. By moving the scene to Cyprus, away from Othello’s home, Shakespeare mirrors the internal conflict that Othello is soon to have. Also, moving the scene to Cyprus, which is an island, creates an air of isolation. Similarly, as events progress on the island, Othello becomes increasingly isolated from everyone. This stark similarity between geographical setting and the internal conflict of the central character characterizes the rest of the play.
In Othello, Shakespeare moves the setting of the story to Cypress mainly because of the distance that separates the island from Venice. It's isolated by a body of water and in Othello's character, it represents the isolation he feels from Desdemona when Iago causes him to doubt her faithfulness. The distance between Cypress and Venice represent their relationship at the beginning of their marriage when they were happily in love and then the separation Othello feels from her emotionally and physically when he starts to believe that she's having an affair with Cassio. Also, since the island is known to be fought over for its valuable resources, it's perceived as a warring island that represents the friction between Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio and the violence the island has experienced represents the violence within Othello that comes out from believing Iago's manipulative lies.
Shakespeare moves the setting of Othello from Venice to Cyprus in order to symbolize a move from a 'civilized' environment to a 'militarized' environment. Geographically speaking, Venice is much closer to civilized western European countries. Cyprus, on the other hand, is much closer to what is considered the barbaric far East and closer to the Turks, the enemy, hence the reason for more defenses and military. This move from civilization to militarism/ barbarism, however, does not just occur geographically, but occurs within the characters themselves as the story progresses. For example take Othello. In the beginning of the story he is such an intelligent, respected and civilized character, but as the play progresses and as he falls more and more into Iago's trap, Othello's character changes. Othello struggles with himself in that he changes from his once civilized character, into a barbaric, violent, militaristic character. This change from civilized to barbaric/ militaristic also goes for Iago as we do not discover his true barbaric side until act two, and most of the other characters in the play.
In Othello, the play changes settings from Venice to Cyprus when the Turks invade. The reader can see many distinct differences between the two locations and how they highlight the inner conflicts at work in the characters. While Venice is very civilized, and can be considered the city of love, Cyprus is a land consumed with military and disorder. In noting this, it is in Cyprus that Othello begins to fight an inner battle with himself. We also see his faith in Desdemona diminish; as he begins to suspect that she is cheating on him. We can see this from the very start of their journey. On the way to Cyprus Othello and Desdemona’s ships get separated and we can use this as foreshadowing for the rest of their relationship.
The change of settings from Venice to Cyprus showcases the change from obligations to free spirits. It also represents the change from structure to an uncivilized layout. Both of these changes allows the characters to invest in the problems at hand and have no worries for anything prior to the problems Iago is making for everyone. The uncivilized layout of Cyprus forecasts the immense amount of problems to take place on this isolated island.
The story begins in Venice, a place that is civilized and ordered. Everything in Venice is controlled by the government and ruled by law. This is why Iago’s attempts to cause trouble for Othello failed. Iago expects Brabantio to break up the marriage, however this plan does not fall through because it is judged in court by the Venetian government with reason and evidence. Cyprus, however, is away from the Venetian authority. The characters are free to act on their own will, which allows chaos to run free. Iago’s manipulation finally begins to take its course. He is able to convince Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. Moreover, the change in setting reflects the two different types of Othello: the calm, wise Othello in Venice and the paranoid, impulsive Othello in Cyprus.
The symbolic value of Venice and Cyprus pose arguably the strongest connection between the play's setting and its meaning. As noted several times,Venice was a symbol of strength and order in what was at the time the cultural center of the world, Italy, while the more primitive society of Cyprus suggested insecurity and agitation. These contrasts draw interesting parallels on the plot and the development of characters within it. In Venice,the actions at least maintain a visage of civility; an enraged Brabantio brings his accusations to the duke and through composed conversation and a fair analysis of stories presented, the characters are able to move past the seemingly silly issue towards the more pressing matter of the Turk invasion. Once the characters reach Cyprus, however, the plot becomes a tangle of confusion and each character is as hopeless as the next to change the downward spiral. Moreover, the characters undergo distinct changes when they reach Cyprus. Othello himself offers the best example. In Venice, Othello was a highly regarded, strong and valuable general to the city of Venice. His love with Desdemona was unquestionable to him and his confidence and composure were evident. Upon arriving in Cyprus, Othello quickly withers away into an insecure, jealous, troubled man so disturbed he was capable of killing himself and the thing he loved most in the world, Desdemona. Even worse, when he arrives the Turks have already been destroyed by the storm and his military value dwindles just as fast as the love between him and Desdemona. In addition, one of the most important things to remember is that Cyrpus is an island. Not only separated geographically from the rest of the world, as evidenced by the storm that ruined the Turkish fleet, had a defense against external influences in the form of the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. I believe it also was well protected by troops and fortifications. Cyprus's isolation so clearly suggest the implications of isolation by humans within a society. Just as the isolation of Cyprus leads the characters of the play to unknowingly yet cooperatively tear each other apart, isolation of a person leads to a poisoning of the mind in which rationality is lost and one's improbable desires become a priority. This behavior almost always leads to self-destruction or, for several characters in the play, death.
I completely agree with your analysis of isolation's role within the play. By setting the story on an island away from Venice and all its members, Shakespeare isolates the character from familiar society. This allows all the characters hidden motives and fears to be played up. It also provides the opportunity for the events to play out quicker. If the story were to take place in Venice, all the characters would have other advisers they could seek and time to play out the situation. But since they are trapped on the Cyprus with only the natives, soldiers, and each other, the situation is exacerbated because the characters act only on their own impulses without adequate council. All this isolation definitely was intentional by Shakespeare and by it he is definitely suggesting that when a group of humans are isolated together and there are hidden motives, the consequences are catastrophic.
Dylan that is a fantastic point! Look at the actions of the even the "secondary" characters. Almost as soon as he is placed on the island, he gets drunk and attacks the mayor Montano. Emilia can't put two and two together with the handkerchief and her husbands plot, and Roderigo, who wasn't exactly the sharpest to begin with just blindly throws his life away at the whimsy of Iago. I think a particular quote by Othello illustrates these strange happens perfectly, "But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,Chaos is come again." Almost as soon as they reach Cyprus, chaos comes. Furthermore, it serves as a great plot point, Othello, already isolated in a foreign country is placed in a even further strained situation when he has no one else to turn to besides Iago. His steadfast belief in what Iago is telling him isn't out of naivete, its out of a lack of options.
The switch in setting after the first act of Othello was used to further alienate the characters. In the first act, Othello was already an outsider. He was the Moor who had married Desdemona. All though this was considered odd, it was not ridiculous to think that a prominent figure like Othello would end up with Desdemona, even though he is a Moor. Then, when the play moves to Cyprus, Othello's reputation no longer precedes him. This made the difference in the color of his and Desdemona's skin a much greater conflict. It is another reason that Othello was able to use to convince himself that Desdemona was not faithful to him.
I think that Shakespeare cleverly made the setting change just after the wedding with Othello and Desdemona to start the story in an isolated place far from any troubles at home. Also Shakespeare had Othello's and Desdemona's ship separate on the way to Cyprus. I think that this was him foreshadowing to the future when ultimately the two of them split ways due to Iago and died. Another example in the text was the choice of Othello being black, separated from Desdemona who was white. This difference was a reason that Othello convinced himself of Desdemona's unfaithfulness.
The changing of the location represents an important shift in the characters and the standards they need to uphold. When they are in Venice, Othello is not a very strong policing force and has many superiors he has to report to. For example, when Brabantio had an issue with Othello he took it straight to the Duke who he knew had the ability to punish Othello if he stepped out of line. Othello also had to deal with all of the Senators whom Brabantio had considerable influence with. In contrast, Othello is the chief policing force which makes it much easier for him to slip into insanity. When there was an issue with Cassio, Othello had the power to implement a punishment. Justice was in his hands and he implemented his idea of justice when he smothered Desdemona with a pillow. He could not report her to anybody or have any official justice in Cyprus
The settings of Cyprus and Venice impact the characters differently with separate forms of isolation. In Venice, Othello is separate from other men of nobility on account of his dark colored skin, which is displayed by the whole encounter with Brabantio. However, in Cyprus Othello's racial differences do not have as great of an impact on his men, and he is viewed more as a military leader than as an outsider. The reason for this is that Cyprus is an isolated island far away from its governing body, and so while the main characters are there they turn towards much more brutish and primitive actions. For instance, Cassio allows himself to be intoxicated and involved in the night brawl, and Othello's sanity diminishes as a savage green monster creeps over him. All of the characters act more and more savage until representatives of the governing body appear to bring orders to Othello, during which time the actual situation is brought to the light, but by that time it is too late.
As the Turks are approaching Cyprus, a storm is approaching the island. Storms, being a symbol for unrest, may be the symbol for an end of peace in the play. With Iago's dark, brewing plan, the reader can suspect the storm to be a foreshadow of the greater inner conflicts to come in the novel. The change of scene from the beautiful city of Venice to the island of Cyprus, colony wanted for the profitable resources of sugar and cotton, can also be seen as a foreshadowing for the future conflicts. Cyprus will inevitably be the site of a battle field, thus representing the change of location from a peaceful setting to one which is not, which mirrors the destined plot of the story. Venice, the initial setting of the novel, is a city constructed around a body of water. Water, seen in many novels and stories, can be a symbol of birth and purity, but is also a mysterious foreboding element. I think the fact that the plot is set in Venice creates an element of perplexity and premonition to the first act of the play.
ReplyDeleteBoth of the physical settings in Othello, Venice and Cyprus, are characterized by a sense of mystery and isolation. While the sense of mystery is derived from the overarching motif of water in both settings, the sense of isolation arises independently in both cases. Venice, of course, at this time was a wealthy Italian city-state that was self-governed and entirely free from any sort of centralized Italian rule, whereas Cyprus was a distant and isolated isle whose lawlessness arose from the fact that its central governing authority was housed over 1,000 miles away. However, in addition to the senses of mystery and isolation, the setting of Cyprus also conveys a sense of violent conflict arising from the island’s status as a valuable colony over which nations frequently go to war. Thus, Shakespeare likely moved the action of the play to Cyprus following Act 1 not only to strengthen the play’s sense of mystery and isolation, but also to emphasize the additional sense of conflict that characterizes the play throughout Acts 2-5.
ReplyDeleteThe play's change in setting from Venice to Cyprus allows for Shakespeare to better describe the downward spiral the love between Othello and Desdemona will fall into. Venice is the well-civilized city-state, bounded to the mainland on the coast of present day Italy. Cyprus, on the contrary, is an uncivilized, underdeveloped island surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. In Venice, Shakespeare focuses on Othello's civic duty as the army's general. As Othello and his wife take ships to Cyrus, Shakespeare is able to transition from a focus on Othello's civic duties to a focus on the love-life of Othello and Desdemona. A sense of isolation is developed from the overarching motif of water in the play, as Shakespeare uses the change in setting to redirect his focus. The isolation also allows for Iago to have more personal interactions with Othello, that pertain more to his scheme and less to his duty as ensign. Water appeared to create a foreshadowing of the fate of Othello and Desdemona as well. In order to get to Cyprus, Othello and Desdemona had to take separate ships. This introduces an element of isolation that will eventually act to tear the two lovers apart as Iago is allowed to carry out his evil plot.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare moves the action from Venice to Cyprus in order to free all the characters from their commitments at home. Bringing them to this new island purges their previous duties and allows for new action to occur with a somewhat clean slate. It removes Desdemona from her fathers control and releases the Venetian authority from Iago, Cassio, and the others. In moving the action though, Shakespeare shows the similarities of the internal conflicts and the external conflicts. This in turn highlights the internal conflicts so they can be seen more clearly. Right as an internal conflict is brewing in Iago, which causes internal conflicts in all the characters, the readers hear about a war happening in Cyprus. When they sail over to Cyprus that is when Iago begins to take initiative with his plan to ruin Cassio. So the external conflict of war helps to highlight the internal conflict in Iago. However, just as fast as they sail to Cyprus, the external conflict of war is over. Othello says, “New, lads! Our wars are done” and that is all that is heard of the war ending. However, with the war ending that shifts the focus primarily towards the internal conflicts. Now they are all on an island disconnected from their civil society where they can let the internal conflicts play out.
ReplyDeleteIn Othello, Shakespeare relocates the scene from Venice to Cyprus after just the first scene to indicate a character change. It is significant that Cyprus is an island because it yields a sense of isolation from the characters previous obligations, and like Alyssa said, "allows for new action to occur with a somewhat clean slate". I believe that the separate scene allows for a plot twist, because the characters are disconnected from their normal society. For example, in Venice, Othello is a confident general who is not restricted by the stereotypes other characters indicate. However, after a short while in Cyprus, Othello becomes the monstrous, selfish Moor Iago accuses him to naturally be. The only way for Shakespeare to construct this plot, short of creating an insane Othello, was to switch locations, and no better place to portray this obscurity than a remote island like Cyprus.
ReplyDeleteThe geography of the play, plays mostly into the conflict within Othello himself. The location of Othello and the fact that he is an outsider heavily influences his ability to reason with Iago's claims. Iago feeds off of the fact that Othello is not truly a Venetian and so he uses this to persuade Othello into believing his remarks of Desdemona's infidelity. Iago says things such as "I do not in position distinctly speak of her; though i may fear her will, recoiling to her better judgement, may fall to match you with her country forms". This makes Othello feel as though he has no access to the perspective of a Venetian and that Desdemona will never truly be someone he can understand because they are fundamentally of a different kind. By moving the play to Cyprus after only Act 1, Shakespeare allows for much more to occur outside the realm of the commonplace of Venetian society. Were he to keep the play situated in Venice, there would be far too much speculation over how probable would it be that these things would occur in Venice. You could also say that Shakespeare moved the setting to Cyprus for the symbolism of war. The party initially goes to Cyprus for the battle against the Turks but then ends up in an internal battle instead.
ReplyDeleteThere are many symbolic reasons why Shakespeare decided to move the play to Cyprus after just the first act. Venice is the mother country and it symbolizes peace, love, and, order. This is where Othello and Desdemona fall in love. On their journey to Cyprus, which is a colony of Venice that is known for war, Desdemona's and Othello's ships get separated. This is only a hint at the conflict that will occur in Cyprus. Shakespeare wastes no time, soon after they arrive in Cyprus conflict starts brewing. Cyprus is an island and its isolation provides a place where we can focus in on Othello's house and all of its issues that lead to Othello's belief that Desdemona is cheating. Cyprus is the perfect place to observe the conflict between Desdemona and Othello because there are not many other things going on in Cyprus at the time (the threat of Turks is diminished after the first day).
ReplyDeleteThe change of scenery from Venice to Cyprus after the first act is significant to the development of the play because of what the two locations represent. Venice was a well organized and strongly governed city-state in Italy at the time, which leads the reader to believe that Venice symbolizes strength, civility, and order. In contrast, Cyprus is characterized by low levels of organization and an inability to protect itself from outside influences which represent insecurity, weakness, and lawlessness. These symbols are mirrored in the actions of the characters in both of the locations. In Venice, Othello and Desdemona share a strong, loving relationship that seems to be impervious to complications that would cause their love for each other to waver. However, there is a complete contrast when the scenery shifts to Cyprus because Othello is made to be insecure by Iago manipulating the truth in order to take his “rightful” position that was held by Cassio. Iago’s meddling in the psyche of Othello creates an extremely insecure man who allows his relationship with Desdemona to weaken and falter due to his doubts. Also, the trip to Cyprus is significant because of how Desdemona and Othello’s ships split up in a storm. This employs and effective foreshadow to the course of their relationship on Cyprus because it was broken up in a storm of emotion and doubt led by the insecurities and weakness of Othello.
ReplyDeleteWithin Othello, the physical settings play a key role in highlighting and mirroring the internal conflicts of the characters. Venice, the initial scene within the play, is a place of beauty. By having Othello leave Venice for Cyprus, it foreshadows the loss of beauty within Othello himself. As events unfold in Cyprus, we see the crumbling relations between Othello and those around him. Othello first fires his friend Cassio and later on succumbs to jealousy, even when Desdemona had done nothing to warrant it. By moving the scene to Cyprus, away from Othello’s home, Shakespeare mirrors the internal conflict that Othello is soon to have. Also, moving the scene to Cyprus, which is an island, creates an air of isolation. Similarly, as events progress on the island, Othello becomes increasingly isolated from everyone. This stark similarity between geographical setting and the internal conflict of the central character characterizes the rest of the play.
ReplyDeleteIn Othello, Shakespeare moves the setting of the story to Cypress mainly because of the distance that separates the island from Venice. It's isolated by a body of water and in Othello's character, it represents the isolation he feels from Desdemona when Iago causes him to doubt her faithfulness. The distance between Cypress and Venice represent their relationship at the beginning of their marriage when they were happily in love and then the separation Othello feels from her emotionally and physically when he starts to believe that she's having an affair with Cassio. Also, since the island is known to be fought over for its valuable resources, it's perceived as a warring island that represents the friction between Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio and the violence the island has experienced represents the violence within Othello that comes out from believing Iago's manipulative lies.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare moves the setting of Othello from Venice to Cyprus in order to symbolize a move from a 'civilized' environment to a 'militarized' environment. Geographically speaking, Venice is much closer to civilized western European countries. Cyprus, on the other hand, is much closer to what is considered the barbaric far East and closer to the Turks, the enemy, hence the reason for more defenses and military. This move from civilization to militarism/ barbarism, however, does not just occur geographically, but occurs within the characters themselves as the story progresses. For example take Othello. In the beginning of the story he is such an intelligent, respected and civilized character, but as the play progresses and as he falls more and more into Iago's trap, Othello's character changes. Othello struggles with himself in that he changes from his once civilized character, into a barbaric, violent, militaristic character. This change from civilized to barbaric/ militaristic also goes for Iago as we do not discover his true barbaric side until act two, and most of the other characters in the play.
ReplyDeleteIn Othello, the play changes settings from Venice to Cyprus when the Turks invade. The reader can see many distinct differences between the two locations and how they highlight the inner conflicts at work in the characters. While Venice is very civilized, and can be considered the city of love, Cyprus is a land consumed with military and disorder. In noting this, it is in Cyprus that Othello begins to fight an inner battle with himself. We also see his faith in Desdemona diminish; as he begins to suspect that she is cheating on him. We can see this from the very start of their journey. On the way to Cyprus Othello and Desdemona’s ships get separated and we can use this as foreshadowing for the rest of their relationship.
ReplyDeleteThe change of settings from Venice to Cyprus showcases the change from obligations to free spirits. It also represents the change from structure to an uncivilized layout. Both of these changes allows the characters to invest in the problems at hand and have no worries for anything prior to the problems Iago is making for everyone. The uncivilized layout of Cyprus forecasts the immense amount of problems to take place on this isolated island.
ReplyDeleteThe story begins in Venice, a place that is civilized and ordered. Everything in Venice is controlled by the government and ruled by law. This is why Iago’s attempts to cause trouble for Othello failed. Iago expects Brabantio to break up the marriage, however this plan does not fall through because it is judged in court by the Venetian government with reason and evidence. Cyprus, however, is away from the Venetian authority. The characters are free to act on their own will, which allows chaos to run free. Iago’s manipulation finally begins to take its course. He is able to convince Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. Moreover, the change in setting reflects the two different types of Othello: the calm, wise Othello in Venice and the paranoid, impulsive Othello in Cyprus.
ReplyDeleteThe symbolic value of Venice and Cyprus pose arguably the strongest connection between the play's setting and its meaning. As noted several times,Venice was a symbol of strength and order in what was at the time the cultural center of the world, Italy, while the more primitive society of Cyprus suggested insecurity and agitation. These contrasts draw interesting parallels on the plot and the development of characters within it. In Venice,the actions at least maintain a visage of civility; an enraged Brabantio brings his accusations to the duke and through composed conversation and a fair analysis of stories presented, the characters are able to move past the seemingly silly issue towards the more pressing matter of the Turk invasion. Once the characters reach Cyprus, however, the plot becomes a tangle of confusion and each character is as hopeless as the next to change the downward spiral. Moreover, the characters undergo distinct changes when they reach Cyprus. Othello himself offers the best example. In Venice, Othello was a highly regarded, strong and valuable general to the city of Venice. His love with Desdemona was unquestionable to him and his confidence and composure were evident. Upon arriving in Cyprus, Othello quickly withers away into an insecure, jealous, troubled man so disturbed he was capable of killing himself and the thing he loved most in the world, Desdemona. Even worse, when he arrives the Turks have already been destroyed by the storm and his military value dwindles just as fast as the love between him and Desdemona. In addition, one of the most important things to remember is that Cyrpus is an island. Not only separated geographically from the rest of the world, as evidenced by the storm that ruined the Turkish fleet, had a defense against external influences in the form of the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. I believe it also was well protected by troops and fortifications. Cyprus's isolation so clearly suggest the implications of isolation by humans within a society. Just as the isolation of Cyprus leads the characters of the play to unknowingly yet cooperatively tear each other apart, isolation of a person leads to a poisoning of the mind in which rationality is lost and one's improbable desires become a priority. This behavior almost always leads to self-destruction or, for several characters in the play, death.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your analysis of isolation's role within the play. By setting the story on an island away from Venice and all its members, Shakespeare isolates the character from familiar society. This allows all the characters hidden motives and fears to be played up. It also provides the opportunity for the events to play out quicker. If the story were to take place in Venice, all the characters would have other advisers they could seek and time to play out the situation. But since they are trapped on the Cyprus with only the natives, soldiers, and each other, the situation is exacerbated because the characters act only on their own impulses without adequate council.
DeleteAll this isolation definitely was intentional by Shakespeare and by it he is definitely suggesting that when a group of humans are isolated together and there are hidden motives, the consequences are catastrophic.
Dylan that is a fantastic point! Look at the actions of the even the "secondary" characters. Almost as soon as he is placed on the island, he gets drunk and attacks the mayor Montano. Emilia can't put two and two together with the handkerchief and her husbands plot, and Roderigo, who wasn't exactly the sharpest to begin with just blindly throws his life away at the whimsy of Iago. I think a particular quote by Othello illustrates these strange happens perfectly, "But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,Chaos is come again." Almost as soon as they reach Cyprus, chaos comes. Furthermore, it serves as a great plot point, Othello, already isolated in a foreign country is placed in a even further strained situation when he has no one else to turn to besides Iago. His steadfast belief in what Iago is telling him isn't out of naivete, its out of a lack of options.
DeleteThe switch in setting after the first act of Othello was used to further alienate the characters. In the first act, Othello was already an outsider. He was the Moor who had married Desdemona. All though this was considered odd, it was not ridiculous to think that a prominent figure like Othello would end up with Desdemona, even though he is a Moor. Then, when the play moves to Cyprus, Othello's reputation no longer precedes him. This made the difference in the color of his and Desdemona's skin a much greater conflict. It is another reason that Othello was able to use to convince himself that Desdemona was not faithful to him.
ReplyDeleteI think that Shakespeare cleverly made the setting change just after the wedding with Othello and Desdemona to start the story in an isolated place far from any troubles at home. Also Shakespeare had Othello's and Desdemona's ship separate on the way to Cyprus. I think that this was him foreshadowing to the future when ultimately the two of them split ways due to Iago and died. Another example in the text was the choice of Othello being black, separated from Desdemona who was white. This difference was a reason that Othello convinced himself of Desdemona's unfaithfulness.
ReplyDeleteThe changing of the location represents an important shift in the characters and the standards they need to uphold. When they are in Venice, Othello is not a very strong policing force and has many superiors he has to report to. For example, when Brabantio had an issue with Othello he took it straight to the Duke who he knew had the ability to punish Othello if he stepped out of line. Othello also had to deal with all of the Senators whom Brabantio had considerable influence with. In contrast, Othello is the chief policing force which makes it much easier for him to slip into insanity. When there was an issue with Cassio, Othello had the power to implement a punishment. Justice was in his hands and he implemented his idea of justice when he smothered Desdemona with a pillow. He could not report her to anybody or have any official justice in Cyprus
ReplyDeleteThe settings of Cyprus and Venice impact the characters differently with separate forms of isolation. In Venice, Othello is separate from other men of nobility on account of his dark colored skin, which is displayed by the whole encounter with Brabantio. However, in Cyprus Othello's racial differences do not have as great of an impact on his men, and he is viewed more as a military leader than as an outsider. The reason for this is that Cyprus is an isolated island far away from its governing body, and so while the main characters are there they turn towards much more brutish and primitive actions. For instance, Cassio allows himself to be intoxicated and involved in the night brawl, and Othello's sanity diminishes as a savage green monster creeps over him. All of the characters act more and more savage until representatives of the governing body appear to bring orders to Othello, during which time the actual situation is brought to the light, but by that time it is too late.
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