Othello Character Analysis
The Different Characterizations of Characters in Shakespeare’s Othello and Giraldi Cinthio’s Un Capitano Moro William Shakespeare based his play Othello, published in 1603, on the short story Un Capitano Moro by Giraldi Cinthio, which was published in 1565. Even though the two stories have many similar points and aspects, they are quite different. The basic structure of the plot is almost the same in both stories; each author simply wrote in their own details. Both authors also had different writing styles. Cinthio chose not to name any of his characters except for Disdemona, and Shakespeare gave all of his characters actual names. Shakespeare mainly depended on indirect characterization. His characters expressed their true intentions through
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She assists Cassio (who does not exist in Cinthio’s story) in receiving and audience with Desdemona after his fight with Montano (another character who only exists in Othello), in hopes that she could convince Othello to reinstate Cassio as his lieutenant. While Emilia did care about Iago and was loyal to him to an extent, she was ignorant of his plans until the very end. Emilia had more loyalty to Desdemona than the Ensign’s Wife did for Disdemona. When Emilia went to inform Othello of Roderigo’s death and Cassio’s injury, upon hearing Desdemona’s cries, she stopped everything and rushed to her aid, not waiting for Othello. After Desdemona’s death and Othello confessed to murdering her, Emilia did not hesitate to tell him what a horrible person he was. “Oh, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!” (Shakespeare. Act 5, scene 2, lines 145-146). She defended Desdemona when Othello insulted her by saying that she was a whore. “Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.” (Shakespeare. Act 5, scene 2, line 148). Once all of the pieces fall into place, Iago’s suspicious behavior and Othello’s belief that Desdemona had an affair with Cassio, she ensures that the truth in made known. Iago orders her to go home after she tells him, Gratiano, and Montano what had happened, but she refuses to follow her husband’s orders. She continues to speak of what Iago had caused. Her actions get her killed by Iago. These actions show that Emilia was a much more outspoken and confident woman than her counterpart in Un Capitano Moro judging by what information is given in both texts. The Ensign’s Wife feared her husband. She hardly did anything to help Disdemona because of her fear. Emilia did not show any fear of her husband. What fear she may have had was overruled by her loyalty and care for
She assists Cassio (who does not exist in Cinthio’s story) in receiving and audience with Desdemona after his fight with Montano (another character who only exists in Othello), in hopes that she could convince Othello to reinstate Cassio as his lieutenant. While Emilia did care about Iago and was loyal to him to an extent, she was ignorant of his plans until the very end. Emilia had more loyalty to Desdemona than the Ensign’s Wife did for Disdemona. When Emilia went to inform Othello of Roderigo’s death and Cassio’s injury, upon hearing Desdemona’s cries, she stopped everything and rushed to her aid, not waiting for Othello. After Desdemona’s death and Othello confessed to murdering her, Emilia did not hesitate to tell him what a horrible person he was. “Oh, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!” (Shakespeare. Act 5, scene 2, lines 145-146). She defended Desdemona when Othello insulted her by saying that she was a whore. “Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.” (Shakespeare. Act 5, scene 2, line 148). Once all of the pieces fall into place, Iago’s suspicious behavior and Othello’s belief that Desdemona had an affair with Cassio, she ensures that the truth in made known. Iago orders her to go home after she tells him, Gratiano, and Montano what had happened, but she refuses to follow her husband’s orders. She continues to speak of what Iago had caused. Her actions get her killed by Iago. These actions show that Emilia was a much more outspoken and confident woman than her counterpart in Un Capitano Moro judging by what information is given in both texts. The Ensign’s Wife feared her husband. She hardly did anything to help Disdemona because of her fear. Emilia did not show any fear of her husband. What fear she may have had was overruled by her loyalty and care for