Wade 1 Alayzia Wade Mr. Reyes English 12 10 March 2016 Title William Shakespeare is known for being one of the best playwrights of all time. He used his creativity and knowledge to form words that we use in modern language today. Most admired literature, art, or music are usually inspired, sampled and made into something different. Shakespeare rewrote Cinthio’s Tale using the same characters but added a twist on the plot and background. Both of these stories had very similar issues with gender roles, Class issues, and racism. Shakespeare’s Othello and Cinthio’s Tale both emphasize that the male characters in the story are superior. However in Cinthio’s Tale the Moor seemed more masculine than Othello because he didn’t lose his temper to the accusations that the Ensign made about the affair. Gender roles for men dictate that real men always maintain complete self-control no matter the situation. Once the Ensign began manipulating the Moor, he started to treat Disdemona coldly. She attempted to desperately ask the Moor why he seemed so discouraged. He kept his composure until the very end where he and the Ensign murdered Disedemona. She questioned the Moor,” What is the matter? What troubles? How comes it that you, who were the most light hearted man in the world, are now so melancholy?” (pg3). Cinthio’s Tale goes on to explain that “The Moor feigned various reasons in reply to his wife’s questioning” (pg3). In Wade 2 Shakespeare’s version Othello was portrayed as less masculine because of how childish he acted towards Desdemona. Iago made Othello anxious about a possible affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Othello began to overthink the whole situation which quickly led to issue escalating. Which real men aren’t suppose do according to gender roles. Disdemona and Desdemona have different obvious feelings towards the protagonist. Since the protagonist is black living in predominately white society, he might feel insecure about himself. Though the Moor is well respected in the Venetian society he will never be fully accepted because of his race. In Cinthio’s Tale the Moor angrily confronted Disdemona about being so persistent on the Corporal receiving his job back. Even though Disdemona answered without feeling intimidated, she did harshly stereotype his sudden behavior. Disdemona replies calmly: This Corporal has been to you; Nor has he done so grave a fault That you should bear him so much enmity. Nay, but you Moors are of so hot a nature that every little trifle moves you to anger and revenge (Shakespeare pg3). Disdemona is in love with the Moor, but she is ignorant. She has this negative stereotype about him lingering in the back of her head. The Moors sudden change in behavior confirms her doubts about her interracial relationship. Desdemona appears to be passionate about her marriage with Othello. She truly admires his bravery and hardships he overcame in his life. In Act 1 Othello is confronted by Barbantio, Desdemona’s father about their secret marriage. Barbantio Wade 3 accuses Othello of using witch craft upon his daughter because she could never get involved with a moor. Desdemona enters the scene and explains that she is married to Othello. She explains her fondness towards him to her bitter father, after hearing the truth. Desdemona says passionately, “That I love the Moor to with him my downright violence and storm of fortunes may trumpet to the world” (Shakespeare 1.3.283-285). Desdemona clearly does not care about the color of Othello’s skin. She values his character more than anything. Desdemona even kept their marriage a secret from her own father. Being that Othello isn’t a part of the dominant group; she understands that he is not accustomed to Venetian culture.
