True Love in "Othello"

Essay # 3008

Drama and Theater > English
Literature > English
Shakespeare > Othello

A look at the role love plays in Shakespeare's "Othello."

2,946 words () | 5 sources | 1999 Canada

Paper Summary:

The author of this paper traces the subject of love through many Shakespeare works. Sonnets and plays are examined. The author then puts an emphasis on Othello and includes lavish quotes from the play in an attempt to describe love's role in the action and characters.

From the Paper:

"Other than in Romeo and Juliet, which is a romantic tragedy, love plays a part in Othello more than in any of Shakespeare's other tragedies. Othello and Desdemona are presumed to be in love. Roderigo chases after the love of Desdemona. Iago is jealous of the love between Othello and Desdemona and Iago's plots are all based on proving to Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are in love. Although love clearly plays a large role in the play, it is debatable whether this love is true love. This is especially true for the love between Othello and Desdemona. In order to determine what Shakespeare intended their love to be perceived as, it is possible to look at how Shakespeare has defined true love in other works. According to his definition, clearly Othello's love for Desdemona is not true love, however; Desdemona's love for Othello, is indeed true love that remains unbroken throughout the play."