Measuring the artistic skill of Shakespeare is impossible. The reason is his plays unfold infinite modes of artistry. And, portraying evil as part of the drama is one such unmatchable artistry or talent. According to his plays ‘ requirements, Shakespeare’s unique diagnosis of evil is indeed a fair representation of accuracy.
It is unquestionably true that every Shakespearean drama acts as the mirror of nature or, more precisely, human nature. And the evil depicted in them, for sure, represents the actual evil existing in real life. In a word, Shakespeare’s plays together form a microcosm of human feelings.
Yes, a microcosm or a small world that includes various human nature, moods, and situations. For instance, noble, mean, mediocre, and sleazy are perfectly drawn in the dramas with an excellent touch of imagination and practicality.
Moreover, outright conformity following the depiction of evil or bad and its perishment is visible in the said small world. A destiny, consisting of the moral order, is the ultimate driving force behind this expiration. In addition, as per the author’s will, the evil’s demise sometimes becomes possible at the cost of truth.
A minute observation can clarify that the advocacy for the moral order ethos begins from the characters portraying evil in the Shakespearean tragedies. However, the said conformity doesn’t always seem correct. The surmise, drawn out from the premise, sometimes appears not in perfect order.
Because in reality, good can’t tolerate the presence of evil in any form. But, the Shakespearean inventions show the coexistence of good and evil. Yes, good is present in the shape of conscience. On the other hand, evil exists as “the inner being” of the human world. In short, a keen relation is wilfully presented between good and evil. And, here lies Shakespeare’s expertise in the diagnosis of evil.
Several Shakespearean tragic dramas have an exceptional uniqueness in presenting evil or the bad. They follow a rare concept that shows how the expulsion process of the bad doesn’t always bring tragedy. It is the waste of good during this removal process that gives birth to tragedy.
The tragic world of the Shakespearean tragedy produces both the bad and the good. It contains both Iago’s cruelty and Desdemona’s painful demise. It reveals how Iago’s poisonous nature destroys two hearts, Othello and his wife, Desdemona.
Furthermore, the entire plot reveals that Iago’s nature becomes poisonous by no one; it poisons itself. In conclusion, this is the beauty of Shakespeare’s diagnosis of evil. It exhibits the brutal side of human nature. And at the same time, it points out how human nature itself can be sinful. It also uncovers why humans want good as their destiny.
In an ordinary situation, evil’s ultimate aim must be to eradicate goodness. But during the identification of the corrupt nature, the playwright here unlocks a twist. He draws a thin line of conscience while sketching the whole story of Othello through characterizing the wicked Iago and the virtue in Desdemona. Shakespeare shows if there is a sinful mind, then there must be a righteous heart, Desdemona, to unleash the necessity of virtue and morality.
