How do the opening and closing scenes of your Shakespearean text reflect Elizabethan values/beliefs? The Venetian society in which the Shakespearean play Othello takes place is a clear representation of the writer's life. context. The values, attitudes, and beliefs that Shakespeare reveals in the opening and closing scenes of Othello are exactly those accepted by the Elizabethans of the 16th century. With the limited number of black people, in Othello we can see the racist remarks that are made towards them, as well as the resilience in accepting it within a society. Even though the play itself is set in Venice and Cyprus, it strongly reflects the values ​​and beliefs of Shakespeare's society, where people strongly believed in the great chain of being, the danger of emotions and the punishment for major sins. to the concept that every existing organism and object has its place in the universe. This hierarchical order separated people into different classes and had God as its divine head and sovereign. This was a very well recognized value and belief within 16th century Elizabethan society. The opening scene of Othello features the dishonorable villain Iago speaking to Roderigo about his revenge scene against a certain character who remains unknown at that time. Using language techniques, Iago exposes to the audience his true evil spirit in relation to the superior character who remains unknown: “I follow him to serve him my trick… when I have doubled my coat, I will do myself homage”; thus revealing to the public his wicked character and devious nature. Iago was the main character who disrupted the natural order because he had the key power to play on people's weaknesses. This important character displays many negative points throughout the play. He exposes his sense of pride when he exclaims with vanity: “I know my price and I deserve no worse place.” Showing pride, in any sense, was always frowned upon in Elizabethan times, as it was seen as disrupting the natural cycle of life. Being proud goes directly against the natural order of life, as one should never attempt to reach higher, while being happy with one's place in society as it has been set by God. As the story progresses, the disruption of the natural order becomes v...... middle of paper ......the natural order of life. Many factors could disrupt the natural order of life; therefore punishment is inflicted on them. In William Shakespeare's tragedy Othello, the main characters on whom the play was based all died or were punished in some way because they had disrupted the natural way of life and called their status into question . People of this era had strong beliefs about the power of emotions. It has the power to eliminate a person's identity and upend society. Additionally, major sins included suicide and committing suicide. Since they were very religious, taking a life that God granted them would mean eternal punishment and inevitable and terrible future events. Ultimately, the great chain of beings which was a hierarchical pyramid separating deferential beings into various classes of importance. Upsetting the great chain of being would be frowned upon and you would always have to stay in your place. The opening and closing scenes of Othello are very closely linked to the values ​​and beliefs of how the Elizabethans behaved and acted. It is obvious that by upsetting the natural order of life or by carrying out any unchristian act, one would experience a tragic fate and destiny...