Othello, Shakespeare, theatre play, tragedy, dramatic techniques, audience, symbolism, religion, Eugene O'Neill, Long Day's Journey into Night
In order to hold the audience's attention, playwrights often incorporate many dramatic techniques into their plays. For example, in the Shakespearean tragedy "Othello" and the modern Eugene O'Neill play "Long Day's Journey into Night", conflict, symbolism and religious imagery are some of the main techniques that are used by the playwrights to generate interest from the audience. The manipulation of these techniques creates suspense, creates meaning to the play and moves the plot forward, which keeps audiences intrigued. However, even though they are crucial, these dramatic techniques are not the only elements used by the playwrights to keep audiences interested.
[...] This intrigues the audience as they anticipate Othello's reaction to Desdemona's alleged infidelity and as they anticipate whether Iago would get punished for his evil plotting. Likewise, symbolism impacts the audience in "Long Day's Journey into Night" as Eugene O'Neill uses it to highlight the family's struggles. One major symbol is the morphine and alcohol used by the family. They realize the flaws and the dysfunctionality of their family, so to escape their dreary life, they often use drugs and alcohol. This highlights how damaged this family is, and what they do to escape it. Another symbol is cycles. This play revolves around cycles. [...]
[...] Symbolism Moreover, symbolism in "Othello" is used by Shakespeare to give more meaning to the play, which impacts the audience and their interests. Two major symbols seen in this play are honesty and war. Honesty is expressed in two ways, the first being whether the women in the play are being promiscuous or honest, and whether a person is telling the truth. Most situations where honesty is used in "Othello" is ironic because Iago uses dishonesty to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona is dishonest, should be wise, for honesty is a fool/ And loses that it works for." This play was written for the Elizabethan audience, who knew of the rumours in those times of Venetian women. [...]
[...] In contrast to this, Eugene O'Neill uses religious imagery in "Long Day's Journey into Night" to highlight the loss of religion and connectivity, which impacts the modern audience. While there is reference to religion in this play, it is not seen as important. The Tyrones are Irish Catholic, however it is seen that the children have abandoned the church. The parents of the household still believes in God and their faith, but they have also abandoned the church, although they do keep some semblance of faith. [...]
[...] The dangers of jealousy and betrayal is explored when Iago manipulates Othello into thinking that Desdemona is being unfaithful by using his friendship, whereas racism is present throughout the entire play as Othello is a moor. These themes not only impact the Elizabethan audience but keeps the modern audience intrigued as well. Critic Edward Pechter said, "Othello has become the tragedy of choice for the present generation." In "Long Day's Journey into Night", themes, such as guilt and blame and the past vs. [...]
[...] In fact, critic Lewis Gannett says, "No play Eugene O'Neill ever wrote speaks more eloquently to the reader?" The playwrights of "Long Day's Journey into Night" and "Othello" both manipulate the use of dramatic techniques in order to keep readers intrigued. Some of the most notable techniques they use are conflict, religious imagery and symbolism. However, even though these techniques impact the audience positively, other elements of drama also contributes to the audience's interest. One example is the large number of interesting themes in both plays. [...]
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