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View Full Version : Othello - tragedy without meaning?


studentc
04-06-2006, 11:18 AM
i have been given an essay question on Othello, and have to find support for 'othello is a tragedy without meaning' Do they mean it is a tragedy without purpose? I'm struggling with the meaning of this question let alone Othello! pls help x
studentc
04-06-2006, 01:12 PM
bump bump bump
Jay
04-06-2006, 01:27 PM
You should ask your teacher what s/he means by 'a tragedy without meaning'.
Sparknotes (http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/)
mad_mc
04-06-2006, 02:18 PM
I think it probably refers to the fact that the tragedy that happens at the end of Othello really doesn't happen for a reason - there's no higher purpose to it, it only happens because of Iago's manipualation, Othello's jealousy, etc. It probably also refers to the fact that Iago does not appear to have any motives for his actions - he is the only reason the tragedy happens, and even he doesn't have any real reason for it! Hope this helps!
studentc
04-06-2006, 02:53 PM
ooh thanks, yeah i think thats the way i should be approaching it! ta muchly
BeingaBunny
04-13-2006, 03:05 PM
Iago thought Othello banged his wife. Iago wasn't just trying to raise hell.
Book Carpenter
04-14-2006, 11:10 PM
It's been a while since I read Othello, but I always thought it was a play about money, wealth, power and prestige, more than the other major tragedies. Note all the references to money in that play. Written at a time when Shakespeare was probably becoming more wealthy himself. Just a line of thought that you may wish to pursue,...Good luck.
lil_chicken
06-08-2006, 05:53 AM
There was no indication in the play that Iago's vengence was motivated by having money on the revieving end. No money... just self-satisfaction for ruining an insecure guy's life who gave the job to the wrong employee.
May*
06-10-2006, 11:54 AM
I v'e got stuck by your question?!

Be moooooooooooore elaborate????

:confused: :confused: :confused:
EDTSCS3
07-02-2006, 10:01 PM
Iago thought Othello banged his wife. Iago wasn't just trying to raise hell.

Uh... are you being sarcastic? Cuz if not I missed that entirely...
Behemoth
07-04-2006, 02:33 PM
Iago does "suspect that the lusty moor...hath lept into my seat" e.g. slept with Emilia, which could be seen as a partial motivation for his actions.
EDTSCS3
07-07-2006, 04:52 PM
Iago does "suspect that the lusty moor...hath lept into my seat" e.g. slept with Emilia, which could be seen as a partial motivation for his actions.

oh... wow I never noticed that... thank you