Symbolism in Shakespeares Othello and Popes The Rape of the Lock

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Using literary devices is one of the most significant parts of understanding literature. Authors of literature writings employ literary devices, including symbolism, themes, characterization, plot, and allegory, to ensure that their intended messages reach the audience. With such devices, the writers make their literary works exciting and engaging for the readers while internalizing the messages intention. Even though the authors work on different articles depending on their specialty, their use of literary tools implicates the same. For instance, the use of symbols in William Shakespeares Othello is a play. Still, it employs the same form of symbolism as Alexander Popes The Rape of the Lock to signify different life phenomena. This paper aims to compare the aspects of symbolism in Othello and The Rape of the Lock.

Discussion

First, Pope uses the character Queen of Spleen and her female servants in The Rape of the Lock to signify hysteria, and melancholy, among other emotional turbulences. Popes sexism is fully displayed in Queen of Spleens portrayal, implying that women are uniquely susceptible to these mood disorders. Besides, the Ill Nature and Affectation, the Queens servants, are both metaphors that speak to womens emotional makeup. Here stood Ill-nature Ill-nature like an ancient Maid, Her wrinkled form in Black and White arrayd; arrayd (Pope 4.25-30). How affectation echoes the poems primary argument about appearance vs truth is noteworthy. It was believed, throughout Popes lifetime, that emotional and psychological disorders originated in the spleen, the organ responsible for purifying the blood. Most of the time, these conditions were written off as feminine worries and utilized as evidence of a persons untrustworthiness.

On the other hand, in Act V, Desdemona performs a song, Willow, about a woman her boyfriend deceives as she prepares for bed. Barbary, her mothers maid, taught her the song; like the woman in the music, she too met an untimely end, and like the woman in the song, she sang her last song as she passed. She was in love, and he she lovd proved mad, / And did forsake her: she had a song of willow (Shakespeare 4.3.27-30). Men and women are both portrayed as unfaithful in the songs lyrics. Desdemonas singing of the song elicits questions from Emilia regarding adultery because it seems to indicate a mournful and resigned acceptance of her estrangement from Othellos love.

Another symbolic comparison between the two pieces is the Lock and the Handkerchief. The lock in the poem The Rape of the Lock is more than just a coiled strand of Belindas hair. The lock becomes a metaphor for security, authority, and worth. The state of her hair determines Belindas value and limited influence in society as a woman. Canto, one of the most influential figures in Augustan era aesthetics and a master of the legendary ballad, says, Oh hadst thou, Cruel ! been content to seize Hairs less in sight, or any Hairs but these ! (Pope 4.175-78). These remarks explicitly connect the lock to Belindas lack of maturity and, by extension, her potential marital prospects.

On the contrary, the handkerchief in Shakespeares Play implies different things depending on the holder. To Desdemona, the handkerchief means love since it was her first present from her husband, Othello. I am glad I have found this napkin& This was her first remembrance from the Moor&My wayward husband hath a hundred times.. (Shakespeare 3.3. 297-300). However, to Iago, the piece of cloth means Desdemonas virtue, and he makes Othello believe the same. The handkerchief means loyalty Othello had to his mother. He tells Desdemona a 200-year-old Sibyl wove it from sacred worms and mummies pure hearts. The white handkerchiefs strawberry pattern (painted with virgins blood) implies virginity and fidelity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, literary devices are important in literature. Authors can effectively communicate their intended message to their target audience with such devices. However, readers may require the extra mile of comprehension to understand some of the authors literary tools, including symbolism.

Works Cited

Pope, ALEXANDER. The rape of the lock and other major writings. Penguin UK, 2011.

Shakespeare, William. The Oxford Shakespeare: Othello: The moor of Venice. Oxford University Press, 2008.

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Symbolism in Shakespeares Othello and Popes The Rape of the Lock

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