Masterpieces in the Scenario of Drama - Essay Example

Drama Paper The Drama, a unique mode of storytelling in the form of performing art is an old medium or expression. The term drama is derived from Greek word which means action. Besides, drama is a live performance before the audience with broad approval. But now, other media like film, television, radio and internet diminished the importance of drama. The classical Athenian tragedy Oedipus the King, by Sophocles and Othello by Shakespeare are masterpieces in the scenario of drama. Here is an attempt to analyze the character of Oedipus in Oedipus the King and a character sketch of Iago in Othello. Thesis statement: Personality profile of the character Oedipus in Oedipus the King and an investigation into the motives of Iago in Othello. Oedipus the King is a tragedy by Sophocles, written around 4000 B.C. The play is a typical tragedy and the character of Oedipus is that of a tragic hero. Besides, in the play, Oedipus is portrayed as the protagonist and antagonist. In a tragedy, the actions ultimately lead to the doom of the main character. The character of Oedipus very well suits to that of a tragic hero. In Greek, the word Oedipus mean ‘swollen foot’ and this word is closely connected to the past life of the antagonist. In addition, three terms leads the play and they are fate, irony and reason. Oedipus is the step son of King Polybos of Corinth and the son of King Laius Queen Jocasta of Thebes. Hearing from an oracle that his own son would kill him, King Laius orders to kill his son Oedipus. But the servant handed over the child to King Polybos and was brought up in Corinth. Accidentally, Oedipus came to know about the prophecy that he will be forced to kill his own father and will become the husband of his own mother. So as to avoid this, he flees from Corinth to Thebes. But fate was waiting in the form of his own father, the king Laius and he happens to kill him. So, it is clear that Oedipus very well knew that his actions can determine his future and struggles to escape from fate. But unknowingly, his flee was towards his ultimate fate not away from it. Besides, Sophocles believes in fate but his character believes in his abilities than fate. Oedipus meets the Oracle to know about his future but his personal belief was based on his self. Later, he came to know that the prediction was true but he was not ready to give up his belief till the end. Besides, he was ready to fight and ultimately accept his fate as a part of his life. His policy towards life was of no compromise, on his own terms, but not ready to give up. When the situation becomes more and more complicated, he hesitates to learn from his follies. But he was ready to accept responsibilities. For instance, he accepts the responsibility to save Thebes. In the end, he was ready to accept the responsibility of the crime committed by him and blinds himself to prove his faith. Also, his temperament reveals that he is not ready to compromise and is non-adoptable and non-flexible to changing circumstances. It is apparent that his physical blindness in the end of the play is symbolic of his emotional blindness towards changed circumstances. But his reasoning ability was high. For instance, when his followers asked him to save Thebes, he took an immediate decision to do the same. In addition, he was able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx. Oedipus was so confident for his abilities and he very well knew that he can achieve greater things in his life. The words of Oedipus in Oedipus the king reveals that: “Words fright not him who, doing, knows no fear.” (Sophocles 16) he was with no fear to deal with his fate and believe in his ability to fight against the same. In addition, he was ready to help others. For example, he was ready to help the people to find out the cause of plague that afflicted his country. But his pride/short temperedness, forces him to quarrel with king Lains, which leads to his brutal murder of his own father. As well, he is a loving father to his two daughters, namely Antigone and Ismene. As a human being, his emotional struggle is immense which leads to his decision of blinding himself. When one considers Oedipus as a modern person, it is evident that his belief in his own abilities and reasoning skill proves the same. But there are some differences from a modern person on his non-flexible character and his inability to learn from his follies. So, it is understandable that Oedipus is the hero and villain of the play Oedipus the king. Iago, the crooked villain created by Shakespeare in Othello is portrayed as a soldier. Besides, one can see that Shakespeare made use of Giovanni Battista Giraldi Cinthio’ s ‘Un Capitano Moro’ to superimpose the character of Iago in Othello. In addition, Cinthio made use of an actual incident occurred in Venice in 1508. But Shakespeare did not follow the real story and character but omitted some details. In Othello, the character Iago is the trustworthy attendant of Othello. So, Othello considered him as his personal advisor. The factor behind Iago’s motivation is mere jealousy and it is clear that he is the person behind the downfall of Othello. For instance, he plans to force Othello to degrade his Lieutenant Cassio. In addition, Roderigo, another character helps him to plot the conspiracy against Othello. Roderigo believed that he can earn the trust and affection of Desdemona, who is the wife of Othello. Iago’s next plan was to compel Othello to believe that his wife Desdemona is not trustworthy and is continuously cheating him by having an unusual relation with Cassio. This plan was so success and it ultimately leads to the murder of Desdemona by Othello. Iago’s immense influence on his wife Emilia helped him to have Desdemona’s hand kerchief with him. Then he tells Othello that he had seen Cassio with that hand kerchief. As usual, this ignited jealousy in Othello’s mind. His next plan was to capture Othello’s trust by helping him to overhear a conversation with Cassio. Hearing the conversation about Bianca, Othello thought that it was about his own wife and orders to kill Cassio. At the end of the play, Othello murders Desdemona by charging mistrust towards him. It is apparent that Iago’s crookedness forces Cassio, Othello and Desdemona to suffer a lot. But later Emilia reveals all the secret plots and Iago was arrested. The final words of Iago, the crooked villain in Othello reveals that: “Demand me nothing: What you know, you know: From this time forth, I neuer will speak word.” (Shakespeare 324) he does not have any guilty consciousness on his evil deeds and will not utter a word on his guilt towards Othello and Cassio. Iago is one of the most crooked villains because he betrayed his friends and others for his evil motive. In addition, when one contrast Othello’s nobility and integrity with Iago’s crookedness and betrayal, it is quite clear that he is an ultimate success as a deceiver. By summing up, Oedipus in Oedipus the king is a combination of modernity on behalf of his trust on his own ability, and differs from a modern person on his attempt of escape from one’s ultimate doom. Besides, Iago in Othello is a success as a deceiver because all the other characters are portrayed as mere puppets in his hands. So it is evident that these characters are different in their motives but their belief in their ability is similar. The former struggles to withstand his ultimate fate but the latter makes use of his ability to cheat others. That is the difference which helps one to analyze these characters from a varied angle. Works cited Sophocles. Oedipus the King. Hayes Barton Press, 1882. Shakespeare, William. Othello. Classic Books Company, 2001. Read More