Saturday, October 25, 2008

nature in Shakespeare plays

Shakespeare uses references of nature to display themes of his plays. In Othello nature is referenced in terms of both flora and fauna.

Iago uses many flora references:
Ex. I.iii.317-322
“Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners; so that of we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many, either to have it sterile with idleness or manured with industry, why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills.”

This passage is a metaphor for the characters in the play. Characters seem to be the product of natural and inevitable forces, which have the potential of growing out of control if not maintained. Iago understand this and by this metaphor is both a “good” gardener to himself and others.

Fauna references are numerous in Othello as well as flora. Iago again is in involved in many fauna references, especially when talking of Othello. Iago calls Othello “an old black ram” (I.i.88) and “a Barbary horse” (I.i.113). These animal references made about Othello (before he is even seen) tell the audience that he is meant to be thought of as a savage (as animals are).

Nature is seen in the weather in Macbeth. It literally sets the ambiance of the entire play. When the play first opens it is dark and stormy and we see the witches give their predictions of what is to come. This storm continues through the murder of Duncan and can be said to be representative of the corruption of morality and in politics.

Monica Sandoval
Waldo section 1D

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