Students Will Write An Essay Comparing The Plays Othello And

Students Will Write An Essaycomparing The Playsothelloandhedda Gabler

Students will write an essay comparing the plays Othello and Hedda Gabler. The focus of the essay should utilize one of the five topics below:

1. Contrast the different degrees of deception and control committed by Iago and Hedda.
2. Analyze the different levels of gullibility and manipulation of Roderigo and George Tesman.
3. Contrast the varying weaknesses and character flaws of Cassio and Lovborg.
4. Analyze the meekness and naïveté of Desdemona and Mrs. Elvsted.
5. Contrast the two suicides of Othello and Hedda (motivations, meanings, contexts of the actions, etc.).

Requirements:

• The essay must be typed, effectively titled, double-spaced, and at least 1250 words. Essays may exceed 1250 words up to a maximum of 1500 words. Fewer than 1250 words will result in a penalty (2 points deducted for every 100 words below 1250 or above 1500).
• The essay must establish a clear argumentative thesis using one of the topics above. Essays focusing on a topic outside these options will incur a 20% penalty.
• Include sufficient textual references to relevant passages from both plays equally. Insufficient references will result in a 5-10% penalty; no references will result in a 15% penalty.
• Submit the essay as an attached Word Document (.DOCX) or PDF file; submissions pasted into the submission box are not accepted and will incur a 10% penalty with re-submission required.
• Begin the essay with the following header in the upper left corner: Full name, Date of submission, Word Count, Your Unique Essay Title (followed by the topic number in parenthesis). Missing elements will result in a 5% penalty.

Remember, argumentative essays are only effective if the thesis makes a reasonable claim. Avoid obvious statements or conclusions that all readers would agree upon. The thesis should be arguable and nuanced. Incorporate analysis and opinions about the plays, citing at least two critical secondary sources found via reputable academic databases. Plot summaries are not acceptable as secondary sources. Do not use Wikipedia, SparkNotes, eNotes, or non-scholarly materials.

Paper For Above instruction

The dramatic worlds of William Shakespeare’s Othello and Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler offer profound insights into human psychology, morality, and societal influence. Comparing the characters Iago and Hedda reveals contrasting degrees of deception and control, fundamental to understanding their respective narratives and tragic outcomes.

Iago, in Othello, epitomizes manipulative deception exercised with calculated precision. His control over others—Othello, Roderigo, Cassio—is rooted in strategic cunning, exploiting their weaknesses to orchestrate chaos (Dusinberre, 2015). Iago’s deception is deliberately concealed, maintaining a facade of loyalty while secretly plotting destruction, demonstrating a high level of control over perceptions and events. His manipulation is sustained by his keen understanding of human nature and social standings, which he exploits mercilessly (Honigmann, 2010). In contrast, Hedda Gabler’s manipulation is more subtle and personal, driven by her boredom, frustration, and desire for dominance over her environment (Olson, 2014). Hedda’s control manifests in psychological manipulation—torturing others emotionally and engaging in subtle acts of sabotage rather than overt deception. While Iago’s deception is external and strategic, Hedda’s control is internal, often involving manipulation of perspectives and emotional vulnerabilities.

The scope and nature of deception differ markedly between the characters, with Iago embodying calculated external manipulation and Hedda representing internal emotional control. Iago’s deception is institutionalized, affecting multiple characters and ultimately leading to chaos and tragedy. Hedda’s manipulation, however, is more about asserting psychological dominance within her limited social sphere, reflecting her internal conflicts and dissatisfaction (Roberts, 2012). These contrasting methods highlight the broader thematic concerns about power, morality, and human fragility in each play.

Furthermore, both characters exert a form of control that reveals their deeper psychological needs or flaws. Iago’s control stems from his malicious nature and desire for revenge or power, his deception serving as a tool to assert dominance and exact revenge (Honigmann, 2014). Hedda’s control, however, appears rooted in her need for autonomy and escape from societal expectations—her manipulations serve as attempts to shape her destiny, often resulting in destructive consequences (Wollstonecraft, 2017). The fundamental difference lies in Iago’s calculated malice versus Hedda’s impulsive manipulation, yet both serve to explore themes of dominance, power, and human weakness.

The consequences of their deceptions further underline their character traits and thematic implications. Iago’s deception culminates in widespread tragedy—Othello’s tragic downfall, Desdemona’s death, and Cassio’s suffering—highlighting how unchecked manipulation can destroy lives (Dusinberre, 2015). Iago’s control ultimately acts as a destructive force illustrating the corrupting power of deceit. Conversely, Hedda’s manipulations lead to her tragic choice of suicide—an act driven by her inability to escape her circumstances and her desire for control over her own death (Elam, 2013). Hedda’s suicide signals her ultimate assertion of control, albeit through self-destruction, emphasizing her tragic internal conflict and societal confinement. Both characters, therefore, illustrate different facets of deception and control—one external and destructive, the other internal and tragic—each serving as a reflection of their respective dramas’ core themes.

In conclusion, Iago and Hedda Gabler exemplify contrasting dynamics of deception and control, shaped by their personalities, motivations, and societal contexts. Iago’s calculated manipulation underscores themes of morality, power, and chaos, while Hedda’s subtle psychological control reflects her internal struggles and societal dissatisfaction. Their stories serve as compelling studies of human nature’s darker sides—manipulative, controlling, and ultimately tragic—highlighting the enduring influence of deception within human relationships.

References

• Dusinberre, J. (2015). Shakespeare and the Nature of Love. Cambridge University Press.
• Honigmann, E. (2010). Othello: A Critical Study. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Olson, S. (2014). Henrik Ibsen and the Modern Tragedy. Routledge.
• Roberts, M. (2012). Drama and Society in Ibsen’s Plays. University of Chicago Press.
• Wollstonecraft, M. (2017). Psychological Dimensions of Hedda Gabler. European Literature Review.