This paper aims at analysing the warrior personalities of Othello and Macbeth. Why do they act the way they do? Does their warrior identity affect their behaviour or their relationships and does it have an effect on the decision they make? Are there conflicts or problems they have to handle because of their way of thinking and acting? The following paper will try to go further into these questions in order to give possible reasons for the tragic downfall of the two protagonists.
The two tragedies "Othello" and "Macbeth", written by William Shakespeare, can be seen as two of the best-known plays published by the English playwriter. At the beginning of the two Shakespearean dramas, both protagonists are introduced as noble and fearless warriors. Both generals seem to lead a really good life because they are happily married and highly respected by the people around them. Nevertheless, their lives change due to several momentous decisions they make. At the end of both tragedies, the brave and powerful warrior fails and dies because of the decisions he took before.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. Being a warrior in the two Shakespearean tragedies
- a. Othello as a warrior
- b. Macbeth as a warrior
- c. Comparative analysis of Othello's and Macbeth's warrior personalities
- III. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the warrior personalities of Othello and Macbeth in Shakespeare's tragedies. It explores how their warrior identities influence their actions, relationships, and ultimately, their tragic downfalls. The analysis examines key scenes to illustrate their thought processes and behavior, culminating in a comparative study of their character traits.
- The impact of warrior identity on behavior and relationships.
- A comparative analysis of Othello and Macbeth's warrior personalities.
- The role of pride and self-perception in their tragic fates.
- The influence of societal expectations and communication styles on their actions.
- An examination of the reasons behind the protagonists' tragic downfalls.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Othello and Macbeth as warriors. It establishes both protagonists as initially noble and respected figures, highlighting the contrast between their initial success and their eventual tragic ends. The chapter outlines the paper's objective: to examine how their warrior identities influence their decisions and contribute to their downfall. It briefly previews the methodology, focusing primarily on primary sources (the plays themselves) with secondary sources used sparingly for clarification.
II. Being a warrior in the two Shakespearean tragedies: This chapter delves into the character traits of Othello and Macbeth, exploring how these traits reveal and shape their warrior identities. It begins with separate character analyses of each general, examining key scenes to illustrate their thinking and actions. The chapter then moves into a comparative analysis, contrasting their personalities and motivations. This comparative analysis sets the groundwork for understanding the similarities and differences in how their warrior identities affect their choices and ultimately, lead to their demise. The section on Othello explores his long military career, its influence on his view of love and honor, and how his pride and self-dramatization contribute to his downfall. The analysis highlights instances of Othello’s provocative and challenging behavior, and examines how his perception of his own heroism affects his relationships, particularly with Desdemona. The chapter also discusses how Othello's lack of courtly social skills and communication style contributes to misunderstandings and ultimately, tragedy.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Shakespeare, Othello, Macbeth, warrior, tragedy, identity, pride, relationship, communication, downfall, comparative analysis, character analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Othello and Macbeth as Warriors
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper conducts a comparative analysis of the warrior personalities of Othello and Macbeth in Shakespeare's tragedies. It examines how their warrior identities influence their actions, relationships, and ultimately, their tragic downfalls.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the impact of warrior identity on behavior and relationships, a comparative analysis of Othello and Macbeth's warrior personalities, the role of pride and self-perception in their tragic fates, the influence of societal expectations and communication styles on their actions, and an examination of the reasons behind their tragic downfalls.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into three main chapters: an introduction, a detailed analysis of Othello and Macbeth as warriors (including individual and comparative analyses), and a conclusion. The analysis focuses on key scenes within the plays to illustrate the protagonists' thought processes and behaviors.
How does the paper analyze Othello's character?
The paper analyzes Othello's long military career and its influence on his views of love and honor. It examines how his pride and self-dramatization contribute to his downfall, highlighting instances of provocative and challenging behavior. The analysis also focuses on how his perception of his own heroism affects his relationships, particularly with Desdemona, and how his communication style contributes to misunderstandings.
How does the paper analyze Macbeth's character?
While details regarding the specific analysis of Macbeth are not explicitly outlined in the provided summary, it is stated that the paper explores Macbeth's character traits to reveal and shape his warrior identity, comparing and contrasting him with Othello to understand the similarities and differences in how their warrior identities affect their choices and lead to their demise.
What sources does the paper primarily use?
The paper primarily uses the Shakespearean plays themselves (Othello and Macbeth) as primary sources. Secondary sources are used sparingly for clarification.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include Shakespeare, Othello, Macbeth, warrior, tragedy, identity, pride, relationship, communication, downfall, comparative analysis, and character analysis.
What is the objective of this paper?
The objective is to examine how the warrior identities of Othello and Macbeth influence their decisions and contribute to their tragic downfalls through a comparative analysis of their character traits, motivations, and actions.
What is included in the provided preview?
The preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords of the paper.
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- Felix Reisch (Autor:in), 2018, Othello and Macbeth as warriors, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/900047
