The Power of Emotions in Shakespeares Othello - 1326 Words

Emotions have some control over our actions. However, there are other factors that influence what we do. In the play Othello though, emotions have way more power over the characters actions. For example, the actions committed by characters consumed by love are greatly amplified. Another example of this is that the characters in the play that are consumed by jealousy go to far greater lengths than one normally would to quench their thirst for vengeance. The last instance that proves this is that the actions of characters overcome by despair are based solely on their hopelessness. These three points all help to show that in the play Othello, Shakespeare exaggerates how much our actions are affected by the major emotions of love, jealousy,†¦show more content†¦Realistically, a person in love would probably not attempt this. In Act I, Brabantio?s love for his daughter Desdemona and his need to do what he thinks is good for her greatly affects nearly every action of his. For exam ple, when talking to Othello in the streets, he says, O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow?d my daughter? Damn?d as thou art, thou hast enchanted her! ? I therefore apprehend and do attach thee For an abuser of the world ? (I:ii:62-63, 77-78) In that part of the scene, Brabantio is willing to arrest Othello and has come to do so with a mob because he believes that he is doing what is best for Desdemona (which is to not be married to Othello). In a real situation like that, the father?s actions probably wouldn?t be as extreme as Brabantio?s were. All three of these examples prove that the emotion of love has far greater control over one?s actions in the play than in real life. Just as the actions of characters consumed by love were exaggerated in the play, the same is done with jealous characters. When the characters become jealous, the actions they take are far more intense than the actions of a more realistic jealous person. Perhaps the biggest example of this is Iago. Near the beginning of the play, he says, ?Cassio?s a proper man. Let me see now: / ToShow MoreRelatedThe Significance of Power in William Shakespeares Othello, Gwen Harwood’s â€Å"In the Park†, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close1389 Words   |  6 Pagesaspects of power or lack of power including the potential of the individual or groups to use this power to enrich or challenge other people communities or ideologies to what extent is this true of Othello. Power and lack of power have the ability to enrich, even challenge other peoples communities and beliefs. Shakespeare’s Othello is one example of a text that expresses the potency of Power and its abilities to enrich and/or Challenge. 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