Conflict in Othello

Othello is a play which contains many conflicts between the characters. The main conflicts in ‘Othello’ are between friends and foes. Othello’s inner conflict, cultural and racial differences which lead to racial judgement and discrimination, to express these conflicts; Shakespeare uses many techniques such as soliloquies, dramatic irony, imagery foreshadowing and symbolism. Amongst the main characters there are many conflicts, however the main reason for most of the conflict if Iago and Shakespeare use the techniques to show us how Iago causes the conflicts. This also analyzes Othello’s pride, his self conscious nature, his jealousy and his rash behaviour. Conflict between the characters especially Iago and Othello is partly portrayed through the use of language devices such as imagery and metaphors animal imagery, sexual innuendo, irony and dramatic irony, repetition, classical and religious allusions. These devices are used to provide insight into the characters relationships, thematic concerns and a wide variety of alternatives reading. The metaphors and imagery portray how Iago despised Othello and the conflict to come between them. Conflict is also presented through the Binary Opposition, which allowed the audience to see the change within the characters or between characters from one extreme to another. For example, we are able to follow the personal conflict and deterioration through the Binary Opposition of love and hatred as well as rational and emotional. This provides the audience to see how Othello transforms from a rational to an irrational man. Another example is the Binary Opposition of wisdom and foolishness which illustrates the conflict between Iago and Othello. Other forms of conflict involved in this play are internal which includes hate and identity, external that consists of race, sex, gender and marriage. Adding on there is in international conflict with the Turks and Venice, racial conflict as Othello being the outsider, conflict within marriage which involves Desdemona and Othello as well as Iago and Emilia and filial conflict within the family with Desdemona and her father.