ERH 321WX
John Stann
Help Received: Works Cited, Spell Check, bibliography
Shakespeare and War in Othello
With the end of the middle ages and the beginning of the renaissance, ideas began to spread that changed society and the world one of these ideas was the evolution of the military. (pg 291.). Because of a military revolution and the rise of nation-states, warfare changed from cavalry dominating the battlefield to infantry. Muskets and cannon replaced longbows and crossbows and professionalism replaced feudalism. All of these changes affected the way wars were fought and the status of soldiers in society.
During the middle ages, knights were an important part in society. They offered their lords military service in return for land. The age of enlightenment and the renaissance changed that way of life permanently. When nation states arose, and kings turned into enlightened despots, the knightly class became honorary and their status changed from warrior to noble and politician. The way of the sword went from being an honorable and dignified post to one taken up by the common man, the peasant. “However, by Shakespeare’s time, men on foot- infantry from the – had come to dominate, and the professional soldier acting in concert with others became the new image of war.” (pg 292).
During this evolution from knight to professional, soldier’s roles changed dramatically as well. Men began to wear uniforms and units carried flags. Troops became specialized and professional’s in their craft. (pg 292). Soldiers began to be seen as a low class by society’s upper echelons, and mercenary armies became common, especially in Italy where the populations of the various city-states and small Republics did not allow for rulers to recruit large armies. “Othello is not a citizen-soldier, but rather a foreign mercenary hired by the Venetians.” (Pg 292). In England, the military revolution was crucial and affected everyone because of the many civil wars that had gripped the country. England, preferred to not keep a standing army, and instead focused most of its military spending on its navy. The army developed its own chain of command, ranks and a formal military training system. In England, discipline and professionalism were incredibly important. (pg 294). Rank was important, not only in the chain of command on a battlefield, but also in the social environment of society itself. An Ensign, a rank only used by the army, carried the colors of the unit. A lieutenant was the aid de camp to higher officers, especially generals, and the position was a coveted one. (pg 296). War had changed from focus on single combat, honor, and nobility to being bloodthirsty, professional and a gruesome business. At the battle of Agincourt, Henry V gave no quarter, an unprecedented act betraying his honor as a knight. During the Wars of the Roses no ransom was taken by knights on either side, and casualties were extremely high for the time. During the time of William Shakespeare, warfare changed drastically from small armies of knights and their retainers to large professional armies of infantry soldiers with strict discipline and rank structure.
Act 2, scene 3 of Othellois a perfect example of the changing views on military professionalism. In this scene Iago gets Cassio, the newly promoted lieutenant drunk while he was supposed to be on duty. Lines 240-290 have Cassio and Iago talking about honor and reputation. Cassio tells Iago that he is hurt “past all surgery” (II.III 238). Cassio is the newly appointed lieutenant to Othello, this position was one of respect and responsibility and whoever held it was supposed to act honorably. Cassio, by drinking while on duty tarnished his reputation and “The immortal part of myself. And what remains is bestial. My reputation Iago, my reputation.” (II.III.240-241.). Officers were supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard, this has carried over to our military today. Cassio laments the fact that he hurt the honor of his general by behaving in a stupid and dishonorable way. The way that junior officers acted reflected heavily on their commanders. Junior officers represented the commander when he was not there, and this is why Cassio feels ashamed. Othelloshows a different attitude towards the military. In Henry IV, the soldiers and Fallstaff try to wiggle their way out of military service. In Othello, the soldiers enjoy their service, and lament not acting honorably. These are two very different views.
Bibliography
Shakespere, William. Othello. Ed. Hall, Kim. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007.