Abstract

Shakespeare is a famous dramatist, litterateur and poet in the Renaissance period in Europe. The drama Othello, as a representative work of Shakespeare, is considered as “four great tragedies of Shakespeare” along with Hamlet, King Lear and Macbeth, which is also the most complex one. “Othello” not only contains the description of the social realities at that time, but also the exploration on philosophy, ethic and mentality. The character Othello was a Moor who held a key position in Venice. He also attracted Desdemona who was a noble lady and made her fell in love with him by his rich life experience. And Desdemona even decided to marry Othello in spite of the objection of her families to their marriage. Iago bore the grudge against Othello because he picked and chose his minion Cassio. Then Iago planned various plots which successfully caused Othello’s misunderstanding toward his wife Desdemona and his crony Cassio. Othello chose to believe that his wife had affairs with Cassio and then he decided to kill his innocent and pure wife, Desdemona, in rage. Finally, after knowing the truth, Othello could do nothing but to kill himself with deep regret. It means the destruction of not only the pure and sincere love and the happy life of Othello and Desdemona, but also the glorious ideals of humanism. 

　　　This paper is aiming to gain a comprehensive and multi-layered literary image through the study on Othello in combination with the analysis from different experts and different periods on the literary image of Othello. Moreover, this paper will further probe the practical significance of the literary image of Othello----that is what the literary image of Othello inspires us in modern life.

Key words ：Credulousness; Suspicion; Insight; Othello 

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction

   1.1 A quick look at Shakespeare .1

   1.2 A glimpse at the play and Othello 2

   1.3 Thesis statement 2

2. A thorough exploration of the character .2

2.1 Positive traits

   2.1.1 A general with integrity and courage3

   2.1.2 A man of sincerity and simplicity.3

   2.1.3 Modern enlightenment 5

2.2 Negative traits 

   2.2.1 Lack of mental maturity 6

   2.2.2 Lack of keen insight.8

   2.2.3 Lack of sense of belonging 10

   2.2.4 Modern enlightenment .11

3. Conclusion.13

Reference.15

Acknowledgement-.16