Final answer:
Othello is not like Judas as their motivations differ significantly, with Othello's actions being the result of deceit and jealousy rather than personal gain. Additionally, Biblical allusions are common in Shakespeare's works, such as the serpent metaphor in Hamlet.
Step-by-step explanation:
Answering whether Othello is like Judas, the answer would likely be option b) No, Othello is not like Judas because their motivations and circumstances are different. While it is true that both figures experience betrayal, their motivations and the consequences of their actions are distinct.
Judas betrays Jesus for money and with a kiss, with full knowledge of the gravity of his betrayal, leading to Jesus' crucifixion. Othello, on the other hand, is manipulated by Iago into believing his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, and his actions are the tragic result of this deceit and his own jealousy, rather than a calculated act of greed or treachery.
Shakespeare’s plays are rife with Biblical allusions. For instance, in Hamlet, the comparison of Claudius to a 'serpent' who killed King Hamlet mirrors the serpent in the Garden of Eden story. This allusion enhances the play's themes of betrayal and original sin. Moreover, the scenes of anagnorisis in his tragedies, such as Oedipus' realization of his own prophecy fulfilled, echo the moment of realization faced by tragic figures within the Bible.