The Issue of Mortality in the Life of Pi - Literature Essay Samples

In Life of Pi, Yann Martel juxtaposes issues of morality alongside the primitive necessity of survival. Pi’s life-threatening experiences while stranded on the Pacific Ocean threaten the integrity of his morals and beliefs. His pluralistic faith demonstrates that morality is less about one specific religion, and more about the preservation of one’s dignity, humanity and self-respect. As Pi finds himself in a dire conflict between faith and reason, Martel asks the reader to consider what actions are moral or immoral when facing potential extinction. Pi’s transformation from a benevolent human being into a bestial survivor—as well as his ultimate redemption— suggests that morality is likewise malleable according to the circumstances, and that a moral code itself is a flexible entity which is preserved in the mind of the individual according to free will and perception. Pitted against deadly circumstances, Pi fights to survive while clinging to his sense of morality through various means, including illusory storytelling that blurs the line between reality and fiction. Upon telling two stories to investigators in the third part of the book, Pi asks, â€Å"So tell me, since it makes no factual difference to you and you can’t prove the question either way, which story do you prefer? Which is the better story, the story with animals or the story without animals?† (Martel 295). Martel suggests that the true depths of human nature can be too grotesque and frightening to face without a shield of altered perception. This need for adaptation is demonstrated when Pi offers two accounts of his experience at sea. Martel purposefully leaves the reader unsure of which story is true, attesting to the hazy line between what is real and what is not. While his faith in multiple religions offer him the strength and courage to overcome his horrific ordeal , his altered means of recollection mimics another strand of religion that lends him not only increased strength, but also a sense of morality and dignity in the face of unfathomable conditions. Furthermore, Pi relegates the darker elements of his character, such as â€Å"selfishness, anger, ruthlessness,† into Richard Parker (391). The reader is left uncertain as to whether the tiger is an actual separate entity or merely a facet of Pi’s own personality that emerged at the threat of extinction. Richard Parker serves as an indication of the need to distinguish between opposing sides of one’s character by outwardly projecting darker aspects of the personality. In this way, Pi is able to associate cruel acts with the predatory nature of the tiger, while preserving the purity of his moral code. Though perhaps based on fabrication, such illusions enabled him to overcome circumstances that had the potential to destroy him. By asking the investigators which story they believe is the better story, Martel suggests that the better account is not necessarily the one that is true. In this case, only by remembering his voyage at sea with animals rather than people is Pi able to preserve his humane, God-fearing character. Furthermore, he infers that though Pi is aware that the first story is true, he still chooses to believe the second—even to the extent that he feels loss and pain at the desertion of Richard Parker. Pi never loses his faith in God even as his beliefs are severely threatened, and as a result, a new kind of faith and conviction is birthed. Pi expresses early in the book that, â€Å"If Christ spent an anguished night in prayer, if He burst out from the cross ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ then surely we are also permitted doubt. But we must move on† (28). This very doubt is introduced in Pi’s own experience when his faith is severely challenged by horrendous circumstances. With basic necessities available in perpetually unstable quantities, he loses the strength to practice his religious routines, while permitting the need to survive to subjugate his ethical code of compassion and love. Previously a vegetarian, he finds himself consuming meat, barbarically killing living animals, and possibly even partaking in cannibalism. The brutal, animalistic nature of Pi’s survival instincts are distinctive from the morally conscientious persona p reviously adopted and reinforced through the practice of multiple religions. Martel thus suggests that a moral system may not be fixed and concrete, but rather adaptable to whatever circumstances are being faced. Some actions may, in fact, be justified when the individual is faced with unthinkable crises. What would have previously been deemed to be highly immoral acts are suddenly seen in a different light. Furthermore, in the face of severely dire circumstances, both mentally and physically, Pi appears to have garnered a new facet of his humanity in which he acknowledges the baser, but perhaps also equally as necessary, aspect of human nature: the selfish need to continue one’s life at all costs—others’ lives included. In the act of overcoming his doubts and standing firm in his religious convictions, Pi is able to transmute his faith into something that is more whole and comprehensive. He is able to accept all parts of his nature instead of just the outwardly moral, and to feel love and compassion for aspects that had once seemed horrendous and unjustifiable. Thus, Martel’s concern remains less about obliging the reader to pursue belief in God, but rather about offering a non-threatening kind of solace and comfort for those who are seeking to understand all aspects of their nature. The transformation that takes place in Pi’s character is a symbol with which Martel is less concerned about any particular religious discourse, but rather one in which he uses Pi’s experience of tragedy and the loss of innocence to examine the grander scope of human nature and its need for faith, hope and purpose. â€Å"And so it goes with God,† Pi expresses, affirming the idea that belief and faith is far grander than the adherence to any one religion (399). During his reflection after his voyage at sea, the reader is introduced to the idea that belief in not only religion, but in any story that requires a leap of imagination, has a uniting effect on one’s relationship with the world. There is a divine coalition that occurs within when one is open to the possibility inherent in a story. Religion is merely different tales and explanations of how the universe works and the purpose for human existence. Likewise, imaginative stories that tell of struggle, bea uty, hope and faith equally provide understanding of our true nature. These inherent, unifying facets of our persona are what truly add value to our lives in a way that concrete facts and empirical evidence alone cannot. Martel thus suggests that the balance between faith and reason gracefully meets when there is a leap of faith into that which seems impossible to the naked eye and to the bare intellect. In the face of gruesome circumstances, Pi is forced to balance faith with reason, demonstrating the need for both to not only survive, but to thrive. Such newfound awareness is what enables him to keep his sense of morality intact. Therefore, just as faith in God provides human beings with a sense of structure, purpose and incomparable hope, the belief in stories that, at first glance, seem fanciful and untrue is what enables a person to expand beyond limited awareness and step into vast understanding. In conclusion, Martel sheds light on the delicate relationship between intrinsic survival instincts and morality. Pi demonstrates the ability to draw strength and hope from religion and faith when in the midst of horrendous tragedy and life-threatening circumstances. He also offers hope and understanding to any reader who is grappling with all sides of his or her true nature, and what that means in regards to moral uprightness. Pi’s metamorphosis from a compassionate human being into a savage survivor—as well as his ultimate restitution—demonstrate Martel’s idea that morality is not a fixed concept, but rather something that is dependable upon the circumstances and the tractable ideals of the individual.

Capture The Public Imagination And Achieve Fame In Their Lifetime - 550 Words

Describe The Impact Of An Artist Or Musician Who Managed To Capture The Public Imagination And Achieve Fame In Their Lifetime (Essay Sample) Content: Describe the impact of an artist or musician who managed to capture the public imagination and achieve fame in their lifetime. Critically review the content of their work, and explain why it remains compelling todayMany artists have existed in the past but only a handful have left a legacy that has in one way or the other impacted on the lives of its listeners. Alive or dead, most of their songs are still popular in the music industry and their messages pass from one generation to another (Covach 34). Michael Jackson is one pop singer whose fame still pierces through the memory of every listener even though he passed away in 2012. His works have however motivated, educated, and liberated most people from bondage and cocoons of hatred."You are not alone," is one song that has in decades remained in the memories of any victim, male or female, going through any tough situation in his/her life. The song that was made in early 2000 has stayed popular because it can be sung in any situation that demands comfort. That ranges from burials, diseases and even to break-ups. The lyrical song comforts any depressed victim that no matter how tough the situation may seem, the victim must never let in the power of depression to reign because it is a mental condition that can in the long run result even to the loss of life in worse scenarios (Frith, Goodwin, and Grossberg 28). In addition, the song also educates in the sense that it urges the society as a whole to always be brothers' keepers by always running to aid victims in sorrow. In that perceptual context, it empowers the society as a whole to approach challenges holistically in order to save the human race.His other art was the Earthly' song that clearly condemned environmental destruction in the name of industrialization. In his song, he asserts that the basis of industries and factories is the core source of all human suffering. In the pictorial clip of his work, he begins when pasture and fauna are at its brink of greenness. He observes that mankind comes up with innovation and reproduces uncontrollably to the extent that nature is physically evacuated to create space for settlement of humans. This is very destructive especially in the aftermath that follows after destroying the forest. Instances of storms, flood, and tsunami are seen to increase death rates and ironically vandalize structures that had in the first case set man to destroy the forest (Greeson, and Williams 61). The song is educative and strives to liberate mankind from environmental destruction with a warning that "what goes around comes around!" The piece of the song has for decades been used in large environ...

Smoking A Ban On Tobacco - 990 Words

A Ban on Tobacco Every day, millions of people walk through the line at the gas station, drop ten dollars off in exchange for cigarettes, get outside and light one up. Without any conscious thought of what that one cigarette is doing to their body, they smoke many more throughout the course of the day. People often times think and want to quit, but they can’t. They are so addicted to nicotine, and feel like it is an impossible habit to kick. Cigarettes create major health problems for most of the people that smoke them. The costs involved with them are tremendous in various ways, and they are detrimental to the environment as a whole. There needs to be a ban on Cigarettes completely, so many of these issues come to a halt. The first, most†¦show more content†¦Aside from nicotine sucking a person in for a lifetime habit, cigarettes affect the lungs also producing outrageous amounts of lung cancer throughout the world. Lungs turn black on the inside of the body, and over time people have a hard time breathing, or doing other physical activities that they once loved to do. The endurance of a person is shortened massively, and they find themselves stopping activities to light one up. Now, with all these cancer sticks being inhaled throughout the world, one would have to wonder how much money is funding the deaths of many people. The costs of cigarettes are tremendous, roughly eight dollars a pack. With many people smoking between one to two packs a day, that sums up to roughly one hundred and twelve dollars a week. People are just throwing their money to the big corporations that produce the cigarettes, in return for negative results. Tobacco doesn’t have a single target for who it wants to kill. It targets the rich or poor, healthy or sick. It’s the people that know better, than to buy cigarettes, who live long and healthy lives. But, the cost of cigarettes isn’t the only expenditure accumulated from smoking. Over the years the medical bills will pile up for vast reasons. Emphysema, COPD and many other conditions occur inside the body.

The Vietnam War A Survivor s Story - 1178 Words

The Vietnam War was one of the longest wars that went on history. It lasted from November 1955- April 1975. According to Historynet, 58,200 members of the U.S. military were killed in the Vietnam War. All for what exactly? In my own opinion, I do not think the U.S. should have gotten involved. Our country is always concerned with being the â€Å"big brother† to all countries. When in all reality, this war was no concern of our own. It was between South Vietnam, and North Vietnam. This war goes down in history as the only war the U.S. has yet to lose. All of that could have been avoided, had we just stayed out of others controversy. There were many hardships that went along with the war. In John McCains: A Survivor’s Story, he states just how difficult things really did get for him. He broke both of his arms, and his right knee while ejecting from his airplane. The people from North Vietnam that found him began to kick him, they broke his shoulder during this time. This was â€Å"merely the beginning for him† McCain stated. For five or so years, he was imprisoned not to mentioned tortured, and starved. Who would do such a thing to just a person? Did hurting one man really do any good for them in this war? He can no longer raise his arms above his head because of this traumatic experience. To say that this war had a lasting effect on McCain would be an understatement. He is more than blessed to even be alive. McCain was released towards the end of the war afterShow MoreRelatedThe Things They Carried By Tim O Brien1407 Words   |  6 Pages† author Tim O’Brien tells us not directly of the soldiers of Vietnam, or the situations they find themselves in, but about the things they carry on their shoulders and in their pockets. These â€Å"things† identify the characters and bring them to life.   I find that to be true as the author unfolds the stories about war and the uncommon things one carries in to war both inadvertentl y and on purpose.  Ã‚  Ã‚  As it was noted: Stories about war – especially today – usually emphasize heroism and supporting ourRead MoreIn Hiroshima, John Hersey Focuses On The Survivors Of The2045 Words   |  9 Pages In Hiroshima, John Hersey focuses on the survivors of the atomic bomb that is dropped on the city of Hiroshima at the end of World War II. Instead of focusing on one individual, Hersey decides to report on six that survive the blast. The survivors came from many different walks of life and were all affected by the coming of the nuclear age. Mrs. Hatsayo Nakamura was a widow raising three young children. Dr. Terufumi Sasaki was a young surgeon unhurt during the explosion, leaving him to careRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The Things They Carried 1734 Words   |  7 Pages The Actual War Scenario - Vietnam War The Things They Carried, is a novel based on the Vietnam War, and the book reveals the truth of the war as the author remembers the war after twenty one years and snows his guilt and emotions for the war. The Things They Carried, belongs high on the list of the best fiction about any war... crystallizes the Vietnam experiences for everyone and exposes the nature of all war stories.( New York Times, Book of the Century). Tim O Brien, the authorRead MoreThe Plague Of Bubonic Plague945 Words   |  4 Pages the more devastation that ensued. For example, the city of London was reduced from one hundred thousand people to just around thirty seven thousand people. This is a massive loss which led to food shortages, work stoppages and unrest among the survivors. The massive rate of death caused by the Black Death led people to search for answers. Due to the insufficient technology of the time, no one knew what caused the deadly disease. Today, we know that it was caused by the Y. Pestis disease, carriedRead MoreThe Things They Carried By Tim O Brian935 Words   |  4 Pagesway. Cristina Henriquez in her novel The Book of Unknown Americans she depicts the character Maribel is other because of her mental disability. During the Vietnam war the soldier had the most devastating ptsd often to comp the soldier would turn to things that would remind them of home. Mary is brought to Vietnam to comfort her man in such a place of turmoil. The men does not mind her presence and joke with each other about it. One man comments â€Å"‘A real tiger,’ said Eddie Diamond.Read MoreAnalysis Of One Day Too Long By Timothy N. Castle1329 Words   |  6 PagesTimothy N. Castle talks about one of the Vietnam Wars most closely guarded secrets. Castle writes about a highly classified U.S. radar base in the mountains of neutral Laos. Within this base, 11 military personnel disappeared with the government never fully mentioning how or why they did. Timothy N. Castle had many experiences with the Vietnam War. He had served two tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Also Castle has traveled to Laos ever since the 1900’s to work as a researcher for the DepartmentRead MoreThe Vietn am War Has Far Reaching Consequences For The United States1710 Words   |  7 PagesFailure is a hard word, and no matter how you analyze the Vietnam War, that is precisely what it was. The War was a personal failure on a national scale. From its covert commen- cements, through the bloodiest, most tenebrous days and determinately to the acrid end, this ten-year period of American history is a national disgrace. This research paper will deal with some of the more intriguing aspects and effects of this war. Since the Vietnam conflict made absolutely no sense politically, militarilyRead MorePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Or As Many Know By The1669 Words   |  7 Pagesthe American Psychiatric Association (APA) added PTSD to the third edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). Although PTSD was recognized as a mental disorder in 1980, in the 1800’s doctors began to notice that soldiers were â€Å"exhausted† from war and would experience mental shutdowns and similar symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The disorder has had several different names such as: â€Å"railroad spine† (England), â€Å"Soldier’s heart† (WWI), and â€Å"Shell shock†Read MoreReview Of Grave Of The Fireflies And The Picture Of Accidental Napalm 1443 Words   |  6 PagesThe two texts which will used in this essay are the film ‘Grave of the fireflies’ and the picture of ‘Accidental napalm’. ‘Grave of the fireflies is the realistic drama which focusing on the story of the fourteen-year-old Seita and his four-year-old sister suffering and eventual starvation deaths by the World War II. In the photo of Napalm Girl which released on the June 9, 1972 about the image of nine-year-old South Vietnamese girl who running naked on the road way to get away from an American napalmRead MoreSurviving Children Who Now Have Posttraumatic Syndrome Disorder856 Words   |  4 Pagesbring the atrocities to the light. Another purpose of the film was to highlight the ravages of war, genocides, and mass murders. The purpose of the movie was to bring an emotional connection on a human level. The movies based on a true story that wanted to depict the re alism of war, and the ravages of war. The audience knows the movies based on a true story so rather than trying to make it a dramatic war film; it wanted the viewers to connect with the relationship struggle of Dith Pran and the helpless

The Rights Of Women By Anna Barbauld - 967 Words

Anna Barbauld’s â€Å"The Rights of Women† (1792), is an intricate poem that was written with a distinct perspective that many female poets would have taken during the Romantics era. The poem begins with a very passive aggressive yet persuasive invitation to take action on the way women are perceived. Barbauld’s feministic voice is heard throughout the entirety of the poem as she is trying to empower women with her passionate words, yet by reading the last two stanzas we realizes she contradicts her concept on her own feministic beliefs and thoughts. Reexamining the poem reveals a sarcastic tone other than the devotee-like tone that we had assumed was being interpreted as. One can conclude that Anna Barbaulds poem is not about feminism but is†¦show more content†¦Barbauld’s internal struggles against the notions of equality is resonated through her sarcastic tone. Barbauld’s contradictions continue throughout the totality of the poem; She i mplies, â€Å"Try all that wit and art suggest to bend / Of thy imperial foe the stubborn knee;† (17-18). She advocates that women should use their cleverness and their slyness to dominate over men. Because of her other insinuations on her argument on equality, we can interpret that she proclaims this is the only way women will ever be equal to men. This conjecture is reinforced with the rest of the stanza which proclaims, â€Å"Make treacherous Man thy subject, not thy friend; / Thou mayst command, but never canst be free.† (19-20). Barbaud proposes that if women dominate over men, which is her opinion of what equality is, they will never be able to be friends with men because of the constant state of fear of men overthrowing women. Consequently, the last line summons her views with a dark and difficult conclusion, but she makes it very clear on what feminism represents and what it will conclude to in her own words. This stanza created a much more dramatic and dismal view to what her philosophy is towards equality than the first four stanzas that resonated with a call-to-arms tone. This could explain why Barbauld couldn’t decipher the difference between extremism and change, and why she felt as though peace would be the only solution to the fight between equalityShow MoreRelatedThe Rights Of Women By Anna Barbauld1354 Words   |  6 PagesAnna Barbauld and John Keats wrote poems in response to proto-feminist writings. Barbauld wrote â€Å"The rights of Women† in response to Mary Wollstonecraft s A Vindication of Rights of Woman. The Rights of Woman mocks gender equality while masked as an inspirational peroration for women. Additionally, â€Å"La Belle Dame Sans Merci† by Keats shows the potential danger in trusting women since the character in his poem was heartlessly betrayed by a woman. Power is an underlying theme in both texts and whileRead MoreThe Role Of Women Throughout Society : A Pacifist Vs. A Feminist756 Words à ‚  |  4 PagesEssay Number One: The Role of Women in society : A Pacifist vs. A Feminist Do you remember those word problems in math class that were about two people leaving two different points and ending up at the same place? This is like how Mary Wollstonecraft and Anna Letitia Barbauld went about the role of women within society. Anna Letitia Barbauld could be classified as a pacifist that believed in peace and peace for both sexes. While Mary Wollstonecraft could be categorized as a feminist, that had strongRead MoreWomen s Rights On The Grounds Of Political, Social, And Economic Equality1834 Words   |  8 PagesFeminism is the advocacy of women s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. This theme can be prominently found in the Romantic period in Anna Letitia Barbauld’s â€Å" The Rights of Woman† and Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of Woman’s Rights. Anna Letitia Barbauld came from a background of dissenters, which made her face many challenges by being religiously oppressed; nevertheless, that ne ver interfered with her writing as she was the voice for the voiceless. EvenRead MoreThe Feminist Movement During The Romantic Era1572 Words   |  7 Pagesalready set in stone. Women were expected to do certain things, as were men, and they only did such. These clear standards were held very highly in society, however, as many people felt obligated to society to continue with these standards, there were always people who had a different opinion. Women such as Mary Wollstonecraft identified men as the root cause for the need of a change in society. In contrast there were women like Anna Letitia Barbauld who felt that if women truly loved their husbanRead MoreDuring The Romantic Era, Civil Rights Movements Began To1665 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the Romantic Era, civil rights movements began to gain strength. Through various methods, advocates of such causes garnered support and brought attention to perceived problems in the status of various peoples. Poetry was one of these metho ds, but the specifics of its implementation, from appeals to literary devices, varied. â€Å"Washing Day† by Anna Lutita Barbauld used emotions and imagery to support women s rights, but The Negro s Complaint, an abolitionist poem by Cowper, focused on ethicsRead MoreThe Romantic Period Of Wordsworth3520 Words   |  15 Pagesan example of how Wordsworth’s preface defines the Romantic era. Wordsworth preface also influenced the writing of other late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century poets. Coleridge, Keats, Wollstonecraft, Hemans, Shelley, Byron, and Barbauld were influenced by Wordsworth’s preface and were known as Romantic poets. When Coleridge wrote the poem â€Å"Frost at Midnight† he was influenced by Wordsworth’s ideas. This poem is Coleridge talking a walk at night with his son and reflecting on hisRead MoreThe Romantic Period Of Jean Jacques Rousseau1915 Words   |  8 Pagesin Émile was also accompanied with a detailed philosophy on the role of women in society and how they should be educated, centred on a character called Sophie. Rousseau stated that a women’s sole role is to please men and they should be educated accordingly. â€Å"The man should be strong and active; the woman weak and passive† was stated by Rousseau, with the suggestion of equality would result in the collapse of society. Women, in the view of Rousseau, should focus on educating a man in childhood, ratherRead MoreEssay about British Romanticism1831 Words   |  8 Pagesnonrational and emotional experience (Feldman 15). In reality, women addressed philosophical, socioeconomic, medical, and politica l issues of the time, fighting back against mens repressive labels. Maria Edgeworth composed an essay called The Bracelets, which was a site for feminist rethinking of Romanticisms mythologies of origins (90)and showed womens capability in addressing deeply philosophical subjects. Anna Barbauld wrote a series of thirty-three poems referred to simply as PoemsRead MoreLiterary Group in British Poetry5631 Words   |  23 Pages3.2 The Elizabethans 3.2.1 Elizabethan Song 3.2.2 Courtly poetry 3.2.3 Classicism 3.3 Jacobean and Caroline poetry 3.3.1 The Metaphysical poets 3.3.2 The Cavalier poets 4 The Restoration and 18th century 4.1 Satire 4.2 18th century classicism 4.3 Women poets in the 18th century 4.4 The late 18th century 5 The Romantic movement 6 Victorian poetry 6.1 High Victorian poetry 6.2 Pre-Raphaelites, arts and crafts, Aestheticism, and the Yellow 1890s 6.3 Comic verse 7 The 20th century 7.1 The first three

The Reality Of The Beholder From The Ancient Dialogues...

What is Reality? I plan on discussing each section of this essay; however, they do coincide with each other in the topic. I will try to explain my reasoning on how they would question relates to one another. First, what is the difference between appearance and reality? What is the reality of being in a new place, instead of being in a society of other people around you? Does one person think they can another’s perception of their world? Does everything lead to good, and what is good in the eye of the beholder from the ancient dialogues from Plato and Socrates? Lets starts from the beginning, by distinguishing the difference between reality and appearances. Is it something that is done by everyone on a daily basis? Whether it is†¦show more content†¦Another way of thinking of reality and appearance is the theory of idealism. Idealism is only things that really exist are our minds and their ideas. An Irish Bishop named George Berkeley view of idealism is â€Å" †¦though it were possible that solid, figured, moveable substances may exist without the mind†¦ yet how [could we] know this? Either we must know it by sense or by reason.† (Rachels Rachels, 2012, p. 128). Berkeley also goes to mention that our senses comes our knowledge of sensations and ideas that come from the mind, and our reason is for us to believe in the existence of physical objects that is a necessary connection between the physical world and our ideas. Another approach is direct versus indirect realism, which deals with the perception of our reality or mental state. Direct idealism deals with common sense and with the facts of things; however, indirect idealism is the opposite of which it holds the idea of perception of something with our idea of an object that we are aware of. Now, how is reflecting with Plato’s story of the Allegory of the Cave, and reality and appearance the same? In the story of the Allegory of the Cave, goes with the follo wing understanding of the Cave. The cave is a world where prisoners live chained to the ground, and the captors cast shadows on the wall and these shadows construct reality for the prisoners. One of the prisoners is freed by the

Is Iago Evil Essay Example For Students

Is Iago Evil? Essay I am not what I am. What is Iago? as distinct from what he pretends to be and what are his motives?In Shakespeares, Othello, the reader is presented the classic battle between the deceitful forces of evil and the innocence of good. It are these forces of evil that ultimately lead to the breakdown of Othello, a noble venetian moor, well-known by the people of Venice as a honourable soldier and a worthy leader. Othellos breakdown results in the muder of his wife Desdemona. Desdemona is representative of the good in nature. Good can be defined as forgiving, honest, innocent and unsuspecting. The evil contained within Othello is by no means magical or mythical yet is represented by the character Iago. Iago is cunning, untrustworthy, selfish, and plotting. He uses these traits to his advantage by slowly planning his own triumph while watching the demise of others. It is this that is Iagos motivation. The ultimate defeat of good by the wrath of evil. Not only is it in his own nature of e vil that he suceeds but also in the weaknesses of the other characters. Iago uses the weaknesses of Othello, specifically jealousy and his devotion to things as they seem, to conquer his opposite in Desdemona. From the start of the play, Iagos scheming ability is shown when he convinces Roderigo to tell about Othello and Desdemondas elopement to Desdemonas father, Brabantio. Confidentally Iago continues his plot successfully, making fools of others, and himself being rewarded. Except Roderigo, no one is aware of Iagos plans. This is because Iago pretends to be an honest man loyal to his superiors. The fact that Othello himself views Iago as trustworthy and honest gives the evil within Iago a perfect unsuspecting victim for his schemes. The opportunity to get to Desdemona through Othello is one temptation that Iago cannot refuse. He creates the impression that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio in order to stir the jealousy within Othello. It is this jealousy and the ignorance of Othello that lead to the downfall of Desdemona; the one truely good natured character in the play. As the play opens we are immediately introduced to the hostility of Iago against Othello. Iago has been appointed the position of servant to Othello instead of the more prestigous position of lieutenant. Michael Cassio has been appointed this position. Iago feels betrayed because he considers him self more qualified than Cassio to serve as lieutenant. Iago then foreshadows his plans for Othello to Roderigo, O, sir, content you. / I follow him to serve my turn upon him (Act I, Scene I). Iago already realizes that Othello thinks about him as an honest man. Roderigo is used by Iago as an apprentence and someone to do his dirty work. Roderigo is naively unsuspecting. As the play shifts from Venice to Cyprus there is an interesting contrast. Venice, a respectful and honourable town is overshadowed by the war torn villages of Cyprus. It could be said that Venice represents good or specfi cally Desdemona and that Cyprus represents evil in Iago. Desdemona has been taken from her peacefullness and brought onto the grounds of evil. Iago commits his largest acts of deceit in Cyprus, fittingly considering the atmosphere. Ironically, the venetians feel the Turks are their only enemy while in fact Iago is in hindsight the one man who destroys their stable state. Act II Scene III shows Iagos willing ability to manipulate characters in the play. Iago convinces Montano to inform Othello of Cassios weakness for alchohol hoping this would rouse disatisfaction by Othello. Iago when forced to tell the truth against another character does so very suspiciously. He pretends not to offend Cassio when telling Othello of the fight Cassio was involved in, but Iago secretly wants the worst to become of Cassios situation without seeming responsible. Cassio is relieved of his duty as lieutenant. With Cassio no longer in the position of lieutenant, this gives Iago the opportunity to more eff ectively interact with and manipulate Othello. By controlling Othello, Iago would essentially control Desdemona. .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b , .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .postImageUrl , .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b , .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b:hover , .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b:visited , .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b:active { border:0!important; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b:active , .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua99cbc334ccbf1d82ba322ee0552a10b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: My Friend Andrea Essay To reach Desdemona directly is unforseeable for Iago considering that Othello is superior to him. 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