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

Citation

Gulati, Reeti Kiran (2018) The Role of Human Emotion and Character in Shakespeare's Othello vs. God and Heaven in Cinthio's "A Moorish Captain". Other, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/hrtn-rp56. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07102018-142152797

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.

Item Type:Thesis (Other)
Subject Keywords:Hixon Writing Center, Hallett Smith Prize for Essay Devoted to Shakespeare
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Humanities and Social Sciences
Major Option:Humanities
Awards:Merck Index Award, 2019. Hallett Smith Prize, 2018. Renuka D. Sharma Award, 2017.
Thesis Availability:Restricted to Caltech community only
Research Advisor(s):
  • Unknown, Unknown
Group:Hallett Smith Prize, Hixon Writing Center
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:2018
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:07102018-142152797
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07102018-142152797
DOI:10.7907/hrtn-rp56
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:11112
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Leslie Rico
Deposited On:12 Jul 2018 20:47
Last Modified:15 Sep 2022 18:17

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