Hell and the Devil

Hell and the Devil

1. Relates to the notion of religious judgement and punishment by a higher power

2. Committing a life of sin would result in damnation to Hell as punishment. It acts as a supernatural level of justice.

3. Shakespearean England was a time of heavy focus on religion with Christianity being the predominant religion.

4. Used to show the character's views of Othello

   • 'Arise, arise/ Awake the snorting citizens with the bell/ Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you'- If Brabantio does't do something about his daughter's marriage, then he will become the grandfather to a little devil
     • Act 1, scene 1
   • Othello is destined to go to Hell because of his race
   • 'Oh, the more angel she, And you the blacker devil!'- Emilia compares Desdemona to an innocent angel and Othello to an evil Devil
     • Act 5, scene 2

5. Shows Othello's realisation of his own sins through killing Desdemona

   • 'Whip me, ye devils, From the possession of this heavenly sight! Blow me about in winds, roast me in sulfur, Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire!'- Wishes to go to Hell as he has wrongfully taken Desdemona's life
     • Act 5, scene 2

6. Iago can be seen as being the Devil

   • 'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you'- Iago suggests that Brabantio should listen to them as they are trying to help him. Even though, in reality, he is not trying to help anyone except himself
     • Act 1, scene 1
   • 'When devils will the blackest sins put on They do suggest at first with heavenly shows As I do now. '- Here Iago admits to having similar qualities to the Devil and to having two faces
     • Act 2, scene 3

7. Iago sees women as being the spawn of the Devil

   • 'Saints in your injuries, devils being offended'- When women hurt another they apologise and act like saints, but when they are injured they seek revenege
     • Act 2, scene 1

8. Shows lust as a sinful thing

   • 'Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil?' - Desdemona cannot help but to long for Cassio next
     • Act 2, scene 1
   • 'Othello tells Desdemona that the moistness of her hand indicates the prescene of 'a young and sweating devil'- this could show Desdemona's sexual appetite
     • Act 3, scene 4
   • 'The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.'- By only lying naked with your lover but having no sexual contact is tempting Hell and Heaven
     • Act 4, scene 1

9. Represents jealously

   • 'Burns like the mines of sulphur'- (link to a firery death) to a jealous mind, a little thing can become a huge thing
     • Act 3, scene 3