The Role of Human Emotion and Character in Shakespeare's Othello vs. God and Heaven in Cinthio's "A Moorish Captain"

Author: Gulati, Reeti Kiran

Year: 2018

Degree: Other

Advisor: Unknown, Unknown

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Humanities

DOI: 10.7907/hrtn-rp56

Abstract

Shakespeare's Othello is based upon "A Moorish Captain," the seventh novella of the third decade of Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi. Shakespeare's play is clearly inspired by Cinthio's short story as both works are tragedies with the same underlying plot - Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army is tricked into believing lies from his deceitful ensign, Iago, that implicate his wife, Desdemona, for being unfaithful. Although both works revolve around the same main characters, fundamental storyline, and similar themes of love, jealousy, betrayal, and revenge, Shakespeare introduces a number of variations to Cinthio's short story. The changes Shakespeare brings about consist of modifications such as an alternative route to the ending and also significant omissions and additions including new characters. Shakespeare implements alterations within his play Othello to downplay the role of inhuman forces such as God and Heaven and instead, emphasize that the action and events are a result of the characters' deep-rooted emotions and natures.