Representing aspects of one’s society is crucial in assuring that your text will persevere

throughout history. This can only be achieved through the use of numerous literary devices.
“Othello” is a Shakespearean drama which explores aspects of the composer’s society
through the use of soliloquies and dramatic ironies. He explores the themes of jealousy, and
how it influences people’s actions, as well as the racism prevalent in the Elizabethan era.
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald is another text which explores themes such as
hope and the disintegration of values, as well as exploring the outcomes of people’s hopes.
This is achieved through the use of devices such as motif and allusions.

The main aspect of society that “Othello” explores is jealousy, and how it influences
people’s actions. Jealousy is first explored in the text when Iago states, “I follow him to
serve my turn upon him.” Shakespeare uses soliloquy to reveal how jealousy can result in
people being deceiving for their own benefit. Furthermore, Iago yells to Brabantio, “an old
black ram is tupping your white ewe.” The use of animal imagery creates a dehumanising
mood, revealing how Iago’s hatred of Othello is fuelled by his jealousy, which results in him
using racist slurs. Iago is seen saying to Roderigo, “It cannot be that Desdemona should long
continue her love to the Moor – put money in thy purse – nor he his to her.” Shakespeare
uses hyphenations to put emphasis on the idea that jealousy can bring people to use others
for their own economic benefit. This jealousy starts to attack and put Othello in danger,
which is evident when Iago says to Othello, “O, beware my lord, of jealousy!” which uses
dramatic irony. This message to Othello is a message of helpful information, however it’s
really Iago’s jealousy which Othello should be wary of. This statement also foreshadows the
end in which Othello becomes the embodiment of jealousy. In summation, Shakespeare’s
use of soliloquies and animal imagery are crucial to how he explores aspects of Elizabethan
society within the text.

Shakespeare also explores the racism which was prevalent in Elizabethan society, by using a
multitude of literary devices. Racism is first explored in the play when Roderigo states,
“what a full fortune does the thick-lips owe…” Shakespeare uses synecdoche, to reveal how
racist slurs were so casually used during the Elizabethan era, which is why Othello feels so
vulnerable. Furthermore, Brabantio states to Othello, “O thou foul thief! Where hast thou
stowed my daughter?” This metaphor equates Othello to a criminal, who has no place in
society to date Desdemona, sadly due to his race. Brabantio says in the same scene, “She is
abused, stolen from me, and corrupted by spells.” Shakespeare alludes to Othello’s
providentialism with this statement, while also communicating the idea that Othello
supposedly manipulated Desdemona to marry him. This shows how Brabantio doesn’t see
their relationship as credible, due to the racism towards Othello. This impacts on Othello’s
self-esteem, evident when he states, “Haply for I am black and not have those soft parts of
conversation that chamberers have…” This uses soliloquy to reveal the racism has impacted
on Othello’s perception of himself, leading to his distrust of Desdemona after hearing Iago’s
lies. Therefore, Shakespeare uses devices such as synecdoche and allusion to comment on
the racism in his society.

Another text that explores aspects of society is “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald. It explores
the idea of hope and the sullying of values, prevalent in 1920’s America. First, we see Gatsby
reaching towards, “a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end
of a dock.” The green light is a motif which is representative of the American dream of
wealth, and Daisy’s love. This reveals how Gatsby’s hope is inexhaustible, and can only be
quelled when he realises his dreams. The sullying of values comes in when the text sings, “…
Your love belongs to me. At night when you’re asleep, Into your tent I’ll creep.” This alludes
to Gatsby’s unethical move of having an affair with Daisy to achieve his dream. From
examining Gatsby’s use of motif and allusion, one can see how he skilfully explores the
inexhaustible hope of the 1920’s.

“Gatsby” is a text that also explores what the outcomes of having hopes and dreams can be.
We can see this when Nick narrates, “He (Gatsby) had waited five years and bought a
mansion… so that he could come over to a stranger’s garden.” Fitzgerald juxtaposes
Gatsby’s actions, to reveal his desperation for Daisy to notice and love him. It also
comments on how economic wealth can be used to achieve dreams. However, Gatsby’s
dream of love clashes with reality in the same scene where Gatsby and Tom (Daisy’s
husband), get into a large argument, during which, Gatsby says to Daisy, “tell him the truth
– that you never loved him…” Use of high modal language reveals how Gatsby’s love for
Daisy pushes him to become overbearing and controlling, due to his desperate yet failed
attempts at obtaining Daisy’s love by acting wealthy. In summary, Gatsby uses high modality
and juxtaposition to explore how dreams can affect people’s lives and society.

Therefore, we can see how both composers have used literary devices to their advantage in
order to explore aspects of their society. Most notably, “Othello” is a text that couldn’t have
explored the idea of jealousy without use of soliloquy, and “Gatsby” uses devices such as
motif to clearly illustrate the notion of hope in society. In summation, texts are only a
reflection of the time in which they are made, and one is able to see that by examining a
composer’s choice of literary devices.