Modernism and Postmodernism in Shakespeares Othello Essay -- GCSE Eng

Othello teaches us much about our current postmodernist culture. The play connects to our ideas of sexism, male-bonding, racism and capitalist economy. Shakespeare uses these universal and timeless flaws in humanity on with our use of manner of speaking and truth to tell his tale. Iago, over a consequence of about three days, uses these facets of humanity to turn Othello against his wife Desdemona and his friend Cassio. Othello reveals both(prenominal) the struggle of the British people of the early 1600s and Ameri jackpots in the late 1900s with sexism, capitalism and racism. In Othello men see women as objects to control, first by their father, and then by their husband. When Iago yells to Brabantio, telling him his daughter has gone off to marry Othello, he yells Thieves, thieves / Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags / Thieves, thieves (Othello I.i.79-80). Othello has taken away Brabantios property, his daughter, and is called a thief because of it. Desdemona re fuses to be inured like property, however and makes A gross revolution, / tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes (Othello I.i.134-135) to Othello. Her pairing to Othello is not an act of a free woman, but a revolt by Brabantios property. Desdemona is also incapable of independent feelings or thoughts. Othello must take Enchanted her (Othello I.ii.63), In chains of magic (Othello I.ii.65), because she could never make much(prenominal) a choice on her own. In Brabantios mind, only he can know what is in Desdemonas best interest and then choose it for her. Brabantio tries to view as her, but Desdemona has Run from her guardage (Othello I.ii.70). In Othello the culture of the time treats women as objects to be guarded and watched over, too tender and gentle to fend for themselves in a dang... ...hooses for her, this taking of a different role is similar to Othellos efforts to fit into the European world. Othellos neediness of definitive truth is postmodern. Othello does have a n emphasis of characters over environment. Although the characters construe different aspects of society, Shakespeare takes great care in developing them and their internal traits. The lack of definitive truth in Othellos world creates chaos, but Othello refuses to just repeat this chaos, he chooses Iago over Desdemonas version of events. Othello combines modernism and postmodernism in its discussion of language and truth. Although Othello contains many elements from both periods, it is mostly modern, due to its setting and need for characters. The characters specify to fight the chaos inside themselves and in the world. This fight leads to the tragic destination of the play.