Provide a 6 pages analysis while answering the following question: Light and Darkness in Shakespeare’s Othello. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is required. It generally features two prominent characters that are closely associated, making it difficult for some audiences to decide about which plays the central figure and which bears the greater responsibility. The role of its villain Iago is different from what Shakespeare has written about other characters in his other tragedies, in that Iago portrays an evil role that surpasses other impressively evil characters in other Shakespearean plays. Iago essentially writes the play’s main plot and takes a major part in it in which he gives others a first-hand direction particularly Othello, the major character who he referred to as the noble Moor.2 Two remarkable characters are what the tragedy presents its readers and audience, such as Iago and his victim Othello. Iago plays the dominant force that prompts Othello to see his wife’s infidelity with his favorite lieutenant Cassio and manipulated Othello’s thoughts and decisions towards ones that would suffice his own thirst for revenge. Othello’s major themes of trust, honor, and reputation shed light on its theme of patriarchy.3

The play is considered Shakespeare’s one of the most well-structured tragedies which is mainly focused on the development Othello’s growing fears caused by Iago’s evil schemes. The ominous mood of the tragedy is heightened by this direction, posing a threat to Desdemona’s innocence and to a nurturing love between her and her husband who is blinded by the seemingly true accusations of his wife’s infidelity and vulgarity.4

The play is however not just one that depicts of good and evil, but also one that explores the consequences of the absence of rationality, objectivity, respect, and fairness which are vital in the predominance of respect, honor, reputation, trust, and love. These are notions in the human life which are often foreshadowed by false accusations, malice, hubris, and manipulations.

The play, despite narrowness in scope, is regarded as the most moving and the most painful of all Shakespeare’s tragedies that evoke fear and pity in audiences with its focus of the fall of a dignified man, the murder of a graceful, loving woman, the victimization of an innocent soldier, and the unwarranted hatred of a villain.5 It is hence a tragedy that possesses a power that is strongly operative on the personal, human plane.

The Significance of Using the Imagery of Light and Darkness in Othello

It is notable that in his depiction of Othello, Shakespeare features a man of African descent as its main character in which the parallel usage of light and dark images is featured, not just to depict the shallowness of racial discrimination but also to highlight the usage of metaphor in demonstrating themes of good and evil, love and hatred, and purity and corruption. Shakespeare makes sure that the images of light and darkness are present not only impliedly but also concretely when he decides to use a man of African descent as the Othello character.6 Prejudice against blacks is overtly present and is implied in the tragedy, which is seen in the derogatory manner by which Iago referred to Othello as the moor, in his pursuit to picture him as the evil-doer. This lucid exhibit of prejudice is also demonstrated when Iago lured Brabantio to believe that Othello was sleeping with Desdemona and must hence be against his daughter’s marriage with a black man.