Essay: Othellos Impact on Todays Society

In the late 1990s playwright, William Shakespeares, Othello was successfully

produced in the United States and around the world. One might wonder why this
classical tragedy gained so much popularity with todays society. In my own opinion,
this play was successful due to the themes and issues addressed. Societies still deal
with these situations today. These themes and issues are a part of our lives and
people can relate to them. This storys success was also due to the historical,
sociological, and psychological function it plays. As well as its impact on language
and literature. The basic theme of Othello is mans struggle with his own
psychological conflicts. Our antagonist, Iago lets us into his own demented mind
using soliloquy. Shakespeare uses this method to let us know what he is thinking,
feeling, and plotting. Most of us know an Iago. One of our own mortal enemies, our
friend who all the while is stabbing us in the back. He is the portrayal of pure evil.
Othello, our protagonist, stuggles with the common mans own fears. He suffers
greatly his own hubris, he is so afraid of having his pride hurt. But his jealousy is the
main conflict. Jealousy something each of us deal with daily. We have all fallen
victim to the green-eyed monster e.g., (1085). After all, what is one of the highest
causes of divorce in the United States? Adultry. It doesnt seem to matter how good
a person we are doubt always seems to creep through and take over. An example of
this parody is when Othello is confronted by Iago concerning Desdemonas possible
unfaithfulness. Othello states Villian be sure thou prove my love a whore, Be sure of
it; give me the ocular proof. e.g., (1090). His fear wont let him trust her completely.
Yet, he wont believe it without proof. These are things we deal with today. Private
detectives are thriving today with spouses wanting proof of their husbands or wives
unloyalty. The realism of this script is uncanny. The fuctions of this play covers a
large range. Othello provides us with a lesson in history, sociology, and psychology.
The setting gives us a view into the lifestyles and culture of the era. The external
stuggles that both Iago and Othello deal with lets us understand the sociology of the
times. Iago is jealous of Cassio and wants his position of high social standing.
Othello is made jealous of Cassio because he is of the same race, age, and social
class as Desdemona. Iago points out to Othello that Not to affect many proposed
matches Of her own clime, complexion, and degree e.g., (1087). These are issues
that are studied in sociology even today. The psychological realism has an intense
impact on this plays readers. It also gives insight to the psychological study of
human behavior. The internal conflicts each character fights with helps us
understand them and relate to them. However, I feel the historical lessons are the
most abundant. History sure does repeat itself. Lets examine the O.J. Simpson trial.
A stunning resemblance to the classical tragedy. The real people playing slightly
twisted roles of the characters. O.J. Simpson as Othello, Nicole Simpson as
Desdemona, Ron Goldman as the innocent Cassio, and a hidden unknown evil as
Iago. The dramatic irony of this true life dramatic interpretation of Othello leaves us
with the eeriness that history in any sense can repeat itself. This playwright gives us
a vast, intrigueing look into language and literature. Shakespeares dialogue in
Othello can be, at first, extremely confusing to todays readers. His vocabulary is
expremely large and the language used in those times have changed. Many of the
words are not used today. He also uses very unusual sentence structure making his

works difficult to understand (New Folger Library handout). Shakespeares works

play a key role in, not only our own history but more so, the history of literature. He
was, in a sense, a literary genius. His works give us a brief glimpse into our own
past. The magic his literature has given us helps his era live on. Undying and
unfaded by the hands of time. Shakespearian works has left its own mark to be
learned, loved, and studied among the literary society. Shakespeares Othello
gained its populaty because he knew how to integrate realism, passion, and
humanity into his writings. He based his works on how society functions and how
people live their lives and deal with their situations. They may be fictitious, but by
all means not impossible. His characters and events could have easily been real.
The theme of Othello definately matches up with history, sociology, and psychology.
And his impact on language and literature is outstanding. His literary contributions
will entertain us for centuries to come.