Modernism and Postmodernism in Shakespeares Othello Essay -- GCSE Eng

Othello teaches us much about our current postmodern culture. The play connects to our ideas of sexism, male-bonding, racism and capitalism. Shakespeare procedures these universal and timeless flaws in humanity along with our use of language and fair play to tell his tale. Iago, over a period of about three days, uses these facets of humanity to turn Othello against his wife Desdemona and his friend Cassio. Othello reveals both the struggle of the British people of the early 1600s and Americans 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 refuses to be treated like propert y, however and makes A crying(a) revolt, / tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes (Othello I.i.134-135) to Othello. Her marriage 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 have Enchanted her (Othello I.ii.63), In chains of magic (Othello I.ii.65), because she could never make such 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 guard 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 an emphasis of characters over environment. Althou gh the characters represent 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 accept 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 for the most part modern, due to its setting and need for characters. The characters decide to fight the chaos inside themselves and in the world. This fight leads to the tragic ending of the play.