Unit 3 Influential Performance Practice - Deacon Cutt

My monologue is Othello's monologue from Act 5 Scene 2. It is performed by the character Othello from the 1604 play of the same name.  The story of Othello is still very relevant to today. Othello was a very decorated general within the Venetian army. Known for his bravery and his skill in battle, however in reality he was a man plagued with self doubt and insecurity; not allowed to show weakness as a result of his position in the army and society's expectation of him as a man.  Up until recently, society has viewed mental health as something that can be brushed over and isn't very important. However, throughout the mid 2000s this became something that was more talked about and was viewed as a much more important subject and part of wellbeing. Before that, the mentality surrounding mental illness was that it was something that could be dealt with later and wasn't anything that could affect you.  Particularly in this time period, men were supposed to be strong in the fac...

My monologue is from the play "Othello" by William Shakespeare.  The play follows the journey of Othello a Moorish Venetian general who is tasked by the leaders of Venice to hold one of the final remaining outposts of Cyprus at the end of their war against the Ottoman Empire of the 1570's. Othello takes his new wife Desdemona alongside some of his most trusted advisors, with his closest friend: Iago, who wishes to plot Othello's downfall. Over the course of the play, Iago manipulates and convinces Othello that Desdemona has been disloyal and has been sleeping with Casio; one of Othello's most promising subordinates. In the end, consumed by the situation, Othello kills Desdemona before killing himself.   Shakespeare is regarded as one of the most influential playwrights to ever live. He is famous for writing over 38 plays, all with themes that would make audiences think about moral questions. Shakespeare also is infamous for developing the stories within plays, giv...