Summary:
This article highlights Shakespeare’s use of animal imagery in Othello. The phrase “The Beast With Two Backs” is a powerful piece of innuendo first noted in 1532. Shakespeare uses it in this play to engender revulsion in both character and audience as they imagine the love scenes between black Othello and white Desdemona, his wife. The conniving Iago builds upon it to erode trust between the newly-weds and to destroy their delight in each other. The significance of the number of backs specified is explored in terms of Iago´s success in this goal.

Details or Sample:
The Beast With Two Backs

“I am one sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.” (Othello 1.1)

Out of all the examples of Shakespeare’s animal imagery, it is perhaps that of "making the beast with two backs" that engenders the strongest feelings of disgust in a character, or indeed, an audience. The reference comes from Othello. The phrase is first used to paint a sordid image of the virginal daughter Desdemona mating with a black partner, Othello. It is successful. Her father Brabantio is initially aghast.

Later, Iago adds more layers to his suggestive painting, each one building upon the other to shock and disgust the audience. He tries to think of the very worst scenario he can possibly paint to a man considering his wife’s fidelity, or otherwise. Iago refers also to a "black ram tupping" (mating) in the play, and to a "white ewe" when referring to the Moor’s own relationship with his wife.

With these images in mind already, the human mind transposes the one image upon the other. Rams, ewes, mating, beasts with two backs and mating couples paint a loathsome and ugly suggestion to any newly-married man afraid for his wife´s loyalty. It has a similar effect on the audience.

Purchase this content for your website...

Pricing:

Make an offer

Usage:

$10

[Add to Cart]

Downloads: 0
Written by: inspirangel
Available File Types:Text
Words: 330