Chasity Thompson Compare and Contrast Research Paper

Hamlet and Othello

English 1302

August 12, 2011

Compare and Contrast Research Paper

Hamlet and Othello

The plays Othello and Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, have many similarities

and differences. In Shakespeare's plays he often creates an atmosphere in which the reader can

determine the difference from good and evil. He shows this characteristic through the characters

actions and motives. William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and died in 1616 and is considered

to be the greatest and most well-known English playwrights and poets whose body of works is

considered the greatest in the history of English literature. In both Hamlet and Othello,

Shakespeare depicts many similarities and differences through the protagonist, setting, and tragic

flaws.

Shakespeare reveals many similarities and differences through the traits and

characteristics of the protagonists of both Hamlet and Othello. Hamlet and Othello are both

intelligent and highly respected men. However, there are great differences between Hamlet and

Othello as well. Distinct differences between the two are that Hamlet is considered to be a

scholar and Othello is a soldier. In the play of Hamlet, Shakespeare conveys the intelligence of

the protagonist Hamlet in many ways but the most obvious ways are through the confrontations

with Polonius as well as Hamlet’s use of double meanings throughout the entire play.

Shakespeare also proves the intelligence of Hamlet through the direct and obvious mocking of

Claudius at the opening of the play. Hamlet’s constant attacks on Claudius are a clear display of

Hamlet's intelligence, from "no my lord I am too much in the sun" (Ham. 1.2) to "a little more

than kind and less than kin" (Ham. 1.2.64–67). Hamlet also shows his intelligence when he

explains to Horatio how he managed to switch the letter which Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

carried, ordering Hamlet’s death, for one which ordered their own deaths upon their arrival in

England. Because of how smoothly this “changling” occurred, Hamlet expresses his belief that

fate, or some “divinity,” works out the details of our lives even when we have only a rough plan.

Hamlet says that he feels no guilt for ordering the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, since

they so eagerly pursued his under Claudius’ direction. (Joanne K. Miller). Throughout the course

of the play of Othello, Shakespeare builds up the protagonist Othello as an intelligent man who is

well respected on the battlefield. Othello is depicted as a domineering man with superb

battlefield expertise, intelligence, and a terrible sense of discernment to determine who he can

and cannot trust. The greatest way that Shakespeare reveals Othello’s intelligence is through the

battlefield as well as the fact that he got Desdemona to marry him. Othello is the first great black

protagonist in Western literature, and still one of the most famous (Shmoop). Another similar

characteristic of the protagonists, Hamlet and Othello, is their highly respected nature among the

characters in the play. Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark and respected by the kingdom and his

peers. He is also of noble birth. Throughout the entirety of the play of Hamlet, Horatio, a fellow

student of Hamlet’s shows his great love and respect for Hamlet through his devotion and words.

Horatio continually speaks to Hamlet with respect through such words as “hail to your

lordship!”, “My Lord, I think I saw him yesternight”, and “My Lord, the king your father” (Ham.

1.2). Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo continue to refer to Hamlet with such dignity and respect

throughout the entire act. Othello is also highly respected. He is a Moor, an African prince, as

well as being a much respected general in the Venetian army. He is a noble and imposing man as

well as been highly respected as a soldier: in fact he is so respected by the Duke of Venice that

the Duke sends for his help when Cyprus is threatened by the Turkish army (Mandy Wilks). In

the play the Duke’s respect for Othello is made very clear through his words, “Valiant Othello,

we must straight employ you against the general enemy Ottoman” (Othello 1.3.48-49). The

differences between Hamlet and Othello are many but the greatest difference is that Hamlet is a

scholar and Othello is a soldier. In Act 2, Scene 2, Polonius realizes the smarts and wit of Hamlet

as Polonius tries his best to pin down Hamlet's thoughts. Hamlet not only manages to evade

Polonius' questions, but he seizes the opportunity and slanders Polonius and his foolish,

meddling ways, without Polonius' realization. After great thought, Polonius leaves realizing that

there is a lot of meaning in Hamlet's ranting. Othello is a highly respect and well-known soldier.

Othello is a general in the defense forces of the city state of Venice. His successful profession

brings him high status in Venice, but his foreign origins and color separate him from those with

whom he lives and works. He is a military man, with a reputation for courage in battle and good

judgment in military matters (Helen McCulloch).

The setting of both Hamlet and Othello were held in distinct historical and beautiful

castles. Shakespeare wanted to depict the importance of these men as well as the dark and

looming situations taking place among royalty and well-known officials. The play of Hamlet was

set in Elsinore or now known as Kronborg Castle or Hamlets Castle, immortalized by

Shakespeare. The castle is situated at Helsingør or "Elsinore" and was built by King Frederick II

in 1574-84 (Kronberg Castle). The setting of the play of Othello is also set in a castle. Thanks to

Shakespeare the so-called Othello tower in Famagusta is probably one of the most visited

attractions in the Northern part of Cyprus. He used "a seaport in Cyprus" as a setting for his play,

named the main character after a Venetian governor and a legend was born (Othello Tower).

Another similarity of Hamlet and Othello is that they both traveled to other countries and return.

Hamlet had previously traveled to Wittenberg and was asked not to return by the King, “For your

intent in going back to school in Wittenberg, it is most retrograde to our desire; and we beseech

you, bend you to remain here in the cheer and comfort of our eye, our chiefest courtier, cousin,

and our son” (Ham 1.2.115-120). Hamlet is also sent to England by the Claudius in order to get

rid of Hamlet. Claudius says, “Hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safety, which we do tender,

as we dearly grieve for that which thou hast done,--must send thee hence with fiery quickness:

therefore prepare thyself; the bark is ready, and the wind at help, the associates tend, and

everything is bent for England (Ham 4.3.42-48). Othello travels to other countries as well. The

Duke of Venice summons Othello to travel to Cyprus, “The Turk with a most mighty preparation

makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you; and though we have

there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign mistress of effects,

throws a more safer voice on you: you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new

fortunes with this more stubborn and boisterous expedition (Othello 1.3.235-243). The setting of

Hamlet and Othello are quite different as Hamlet is set in Denmark and Othello is set in Cyprus.

The story of Hamlet is set in the late middle ages (14th and 15th centuries or, 1300 to 1499) in

and around the royal palace in Elsinore, a city in Denmark. Whatever the physical setting, it's

important to understand that the dynamic of the royal court of Denmark is high-powered and

manipulative. Public image matters. Hamlet's emotional struggles and madness are not just

playing out in his own home: his strange behavior is a liability to his parents, and they have a

political interest in bringing him under control. "Madness in great ones must not unwatched go,"

says Claudius (3.1.188) (Schmoop, Hamlet Setting). As Marcellus also states “Something is

rotten in the state of Denmark”. (1:4:89). Othello is set in Cyprus. The play begins in Venice and

then moves to Cyprus when the Turks invade.

Both Hamlet and Othello’s tragic flaws affect their community, individually and as a

whole. Hamlet’s flaws caused the death of many. The anger of Hamlet caused the death of

Polonius as well as the death of Polonius’ daughter Ophelia. Hamlet's mother tries to reason with

Hamlet after the play, while Polonius spied on them from behind a curtain. Hamlet hears

Polonius, and kills him through the curtain, thinking the person is Claudius. When finding out

the truth, Hamlet regrets the death. Hamlet is also very rude to his lover and Polonius’ daughter,

Ophelia, and out of despair causes Ophelia to take her own life. The death of Polonius caused by

Hamlet also causes Polonius’ son, Laertes, to seek revenge on Hamlet for his father’s death. The

death of Polonius eventually causes the death, not only of Polonius and Ophelia, but of Laertes,

Hamlet, and Hamlet’s mother Gertrude. Hamlet’s flaws affected the lives of many as well as the

entire kingdom itself by leaving Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, to rule the kingdom of

Denmark. The tragic flaws of Othello affected the kingdom through the deaths he caused as well

as Hamlet. Othello caused the death of his lover and the daughter of Senator Brabantio,

Desdemona and himself. Due to his death he left his country without a general and commander

to protect the community. Both Hamlet and Othello’s flaws affected their community but were

individually different. Hamlet’s flaw was his inability to act. He over thought everything and

believed it to be a curse of cowardice. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his inability to act to avenge his

father’s death. When the ghost of his dead father appears to him and gives him the task of

avenging his murder, Hamlet accepts the challenge. As the play continues, Hamlet finds it

difficult and begins to question himself. In order to delay killing Claudius, Hamlet plans to act

crazy, which forces Claudius to send him to England. Hamlet’s inability to act and to avenge his

father’s death has led him, as well as many others to their bloody graves. It is best said by

Hamlet himself, “To be or not be, that is the question” (Ham 1.2). Othello’s tragic flaw is his

jealousy. Iago, knowing exactly what he is saying, warns Othello to beware of jealousy because

it is a green monster that makes a joke of him. However, Othello does not take heed to Iago’s

warning.

Shakespeare created an atmosphere in which the reader can determine the difference from

good and evil in both Hamlet and Othello. He showed this characteristic through the characters

actions and motives. In both Hamlet and Othello, Shakespeare depicted many similarities and

differences through the protagonist, setting, and tragic flaws. These same flaws Hamlet and

Othello struggled with are still alive and present among our world today. All humans struggle

with them and will continue to struggle with them until the day of judgment, as we are all

human. These plays had many similarities and differences but the one thing that reigns true,

Shakespeare had a beautiful way with words.

Works Cited

Kronbergs Castle – Hamlets Castle. 14 Aug 2011. Web.

<http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Kronborg.htm>

McCulloch, Helen, and Gary Carey. CliffsNotes on Othello. 14 Aug 2011

<http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/id-138.html>.

Miller, Joanne K. "Hamlet: Act V, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis." eNotes: Hamlet. Ed. Penny

Satoris. Seattle: Enotes.com Inc, October 2002. eNotes.com. 13 August 2011.

<http://www.enotes.com/hamlet/act-v-scene-2-summary-analysis>.

Othello Tower. 14 Aug 2011. Web.

<http://www.trivago.co.uk/famagusta-71856/palace--castle/othello-tower-137182>

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print.

Shmoop Editorial Team. "Othello in Othello" Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov.

2008. Web. 13 Aug. 2011.

Shmoop Editorial Team. "Hamlet Setting" Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov.

2008. Web. 14 Aug. 2011.

Wilks, Mandy. “Character analysis of Othello in Othello, by William Shakespeare” 01 Jan. 201.

Web. 14 Aug 2011. <http://www.helium.com/items/2053844-character-analysis-of-

othello-in-othello-by-william-shakespeare>