Zack Hilliard
Mr. Wright Honors European Literature 3A
Slap Scene Explication
In Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, the main character, Othello, is tricked by the antagonist, Iago. He is tricked into thinking that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him with his general, Cassio. The scene shows how Othello is overcome by blind jealousy with faulty reasons behind it. In Act IV scene i, Othello sees her, and when she goes to talk with him he slaps her calling her a Devil. This can be construed as making her seem as a temptress, tempting others, Cassio, to love her as she cheats on her husband. However, when this action occurs, they are being visited by generals from Venice. The time at which Othello hits Desdemona shows his anger because he would have never hit her in front of them, because in that time the husband would have disciplined her in private, but in a flash of anger and jealousy he hits her. Later in the scene, she is told to leave, and she obediently does, while he then calls her a crocodile. This shows his jealousy because he is blatantly insulting her, and at the time that is frowned upon in society, as well as public discipline. Finally, the scene shows Othello’s jealousy because he scoffs at how Cassio will take his place here, and in the beginning of the play he liked him. However, instead of talking to Cassio, he goes ahead and believes Iago’s faulty reasons and he strikes and is angry with his wife.
Mr. Wright Honors European Literature 3A
Slap Scene Explication
In Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, the main character, Othello, is tricked by the antagonist, Iago. He is tricked into thinking that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him with his general, Cassio. The scene shows how Othello is overcome by blind jealousy with faulty reasons behind it. In Act IV scene i, Othello sees her, and when she goes to talk with him he slaps her calling her a Devil. This can be construed as making her seem as a temptress, tempting others, Cassio, to love her as she cheats on her husband. However, when this action occurs, they are being visited by generals from Venice. The time at which Othello hits Desdemona shows his anger because he would have never hit her in front of them, because in that time the husband would have disciplined her in private, but in a flash of anger and jealousy he hits her. Later in the scene, she is told to leave, and she obediently does, while he then calls her a crocodile. This shows his jealousy because he is blatantly insulting her, and at the time that is frowned upon in society, as well as public discipline. Finally, the scene shows Othello’s jealousy because he scoffs at how Cassio will take his place here, and in the beginning of the play he liked him. However, instead of talking to Cassio, he goes ahead and believes Iago’s faulty reasons and he strikes and is angry with his wife.