Examples Of Marxism In Othello
The classic dramatic work of Othello is a tale of deception, love, and ambition. It has stood the test of time as a captivating work epitomizing struggle and humanity. But how do we interpret such a masterpiece of human sensation? What was Shakespeare's thought process and written reasoning that allows us to view his play with peak meaning? I argue that the most logical and most emotionally maximizing way to understand the storyline and conflicts occurring within Othello is through the Marxist Critical Lens with the depiction of struggle for power/ resources, and in the case of Othello, struggle for social status between important individuals within this story. These Marxist social struggles are very complex within this play. They revolve and weave around each other to the point of an exact / near exact picture of the Marxist struggle for power and resources through social status between individuals. I will tackle this perspective with support from two different struggles between different characters within the play. The first struggle is between two major male characters being lago and Cassio. The second struggle is between the two major female characters, who are Emilia (the wife of lago), and Desdemona (the wife of our main character Othello.)
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This social struggle is arguably the most important base conflict of the play. The entire premise of the play is that of lago attempting to rise out of his particular social status. Othello is promoting an acquainted officer to a higher military position, and being an experienced soldier who can competently fill this new promotional position, lago believes and hopes that he will be promoted. This will allow him to rise to a higher social status, and reap the benefits of more power and that of more resources, (a classic Marxist base
This social struggle is arguably the most important base conflict of the play. The entire premise of the play is that of lago attempting to rise out of his particular social status. Othello is promoting an acquainted officer to a higher military position, and being an experienced soldier who can competently fill this new promotional position, lago believes and hopes that he will be promoted. This will allow him to rise to a higher social status, and reap the benefits of more power and that of more resources, (a classic Marxist base