Othello :: essays research papers fc

Elliot, T.S. Ã’The Hero Cheering Himself Up.Ó Shakespeare and the Stoicism of Seneca. ED. Leonard F. Dean, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1961. 153-155   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In T.S. ElliotÕs essay, Ã’The Hero Cheering Himself Up,Ó he takes the viewpoint that Othello is both influenced by and influences Seneca, the Roman philosopher and author of tragedies. Ã’It is not the Attitude of Seneca; but i is derived from SenecaÓ(153). He also compares Shakespeare to other 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, state that it is his opinion that Shakespeare does this much better. He works it in to fit naturally with the human nature of his characters. Elliot states that the final speech of Othello is the most Ã’terrible exposure of human weakness- of universal weaknessÓ(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 ElliotÕs opinion, is one of the easiest things to do. Elliot also compares the death of Othello to the deaths of some ShakespeareÕs other heroes- mainly Antony and Coriolanus. H believes that these deaths were also strongly influenced by Seneca. Gray, Garry Ã’IagoÕs MetamorphosisÓ Iago. Ed. Harold Bloom, Chelsea House, 1992. 212-218   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Garry GrayÕs essay, Ã’IagoÕs Metamorphosis,Ó is based on the belief that society does not allow for or encourage personal individualization. He states that ShakespeareÕs Othello is concerned with this issue. This is mainly expressed through the character of Iago. he goes through a metamorphosis in the play. He starts out being socially dominated, and ends up being in a state of total psychological freedom. GrayÕs opinion is that this allows him the opportunity to victimize 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 result in achievement of a goal. He therefore believes that the reason for IagoÕs metamorphosis was bitterness and frustration.