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OTHELLO
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Act 1 scene 1
• Roderigo unhappy
with Iago for failing
to promote his
marriage to
Desdemona.
• Iago is jealous of
Cassio’s new
position
• Roderigo and Iago
wake Brabantio and
point out his
daughter is missing.
Key Quotations:
‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’ Iago
‘ damned in a fair wife’ Iago
I am not what I am.’ ‘thick lips’ ‘an old black ram/Is tupping your white ewe.’
‘Plague him with flies’ ‘the devil will make a grandsire out of you’
‘Thieves! Thieves! Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!’
‘Thou art a villain’ Brabantio to Iago
‘you’ll have your nephews neigh to you’ ‘O treason of blood!’
Key Notes:
• Othello is a mysterious character at this point and is
referred to as The Moor, which points out he is a
black character.
• Iago is revealed as a villain as he has clear motives
early in this Act to take revenge.
• Iago describes crude sexual imagery of Othello and
Desdemona.
• The theme of jealousy is significant and becomes the
most important theme in the exposition of the play.
• Elizabethan idea of black men being predators
• The imagery associated with women and the
discussion of women without their presence reveals
the patriarchal structure of Venetian society.
Analysis of Quotes Act 1 Scene 1
• ‘…damned in a fair wife.’
Adjective, Iago established his misogynistic views.
• ‘Plague him with flies’
Metaphor, manipulation
• ‘Thieves! Thieves! Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!’
Exclamatory sentence, Repetition of thieves, your- possessive pronoun,
syndetic listing of three. Desdemona seen as valuable object. ‘Look’
imperative
• ‘Thou art a villain’ Brabantio is one of the only ones to call Iago by what
he is. Archaic direct address
• ‘you’ll have your nephews neigh to you’ Alliteration, metaphor, Iago
suggesting Othello is like an animal, a horse/donkey
• ‘the devil will make a grandsire out of you’ definite article, suggests
Othello being black makes him the devil.
• ‘thick lips’ Othello’s physical appearance is a target for derision for Iago,
noun phrase
Act 1 Scene 2
• Othello is told that
Brabantio could get him
arrested
• Othello is confident that
he has a good
reputation
• Cassio brings news that
the Duke is sitting an
urgent council meeting
• Othello denies
Brabantio’s accusations
• Brabantio goes to the
council meeting too
Key Notes:
• First impressions of protagonist, Othello. Who speaks
in ‘blank verse’
• Iago does his best to stir up trouble
• Cassio comes across as reliable however, Othello has
not told him about his marriage which sets him apart
and distances the two characters.
• Cassio also fails to understand Iago’s sexual joke which
suggests he does not share the same crude sense of
humour.
• In RSC’s 2015 Othello production, Iago is portrayed by
also a black actor, making Othello and Iago the only
black men. This may be so that it results in sexual
dominance between the two, but also brings them
together as they are black men in a white dominated
society, subsequently they are outcasts. A good way to
justify Othello’s immense trust for Iago.
Key Quotes:
‘I love the gentle Desdemona’
‘My parts, my title and my perfect soul’
‘O thou foul thief!’
‘… thou hast enchanted her’
Analysis of quotes Act 1 Scene 2
• ‘I love thee gentle Desdemona’ this is the first sincere reference to love in
the play. Othello puts it simply and clearly. Archaic definite article suggests
his respect to her name and class.
• ‘My parts, my title and my perfect soul…’ Use of syndetic listing and rule of
three. Suggests Othello is confident with himself.
• ‘O thou foul thief!’ exclamatory mood, archaic pronoun, alliteration
emphasises Brabantio’s anger. Desdemona seen as an object which has been
stolen from his possession. Marriage in Elizabethan England was also a
financial transaction with the upper classes, therefore Brabantio has missed
his opportunity in an investment.
• ‘…thou hast enchanted her’ dynamic past participle verb, Brabantio is
suspicious, thinks because Othello is black he is evil and knows how to
enchant people with herbs and minerals. Believes Othello has taken
advantage of Desdemona's naivety because why would Desdemona go for an
old black man in Venetian society.
Act 1 Scene 3
• Othello is told to prepare for war
in Cyprus against the Turks
• Brabantio repeats his
accusations of witchcraft
• Othello recounts the history of
his relationship with Desdemona
• Desdemona agrees with Othello
and justifies his claims of love
• She then asks to go with Othello
to Cyprus
• Brabantio warns Othello about
trusting Desdemona
• Iago says he will help Roderigo
seduce Desdemona and
cuckold Othello.
Key Notes:
• Discussions move back and forth between love
and war, foreshadowing the plot.
• First impression of Desdemona as outspoken and
brave.
• Iago speaks in fast moving prose when
outwitting Roderigo suggesting he is thinking on
his feet.
• He then returns to blank verse and in his
soliloquy he is undecided how he shall take
revenge. The reader sees Iago’s motiveless
jealousy and subsequently his lack of intelligence
that comes with his manipulative character.
• ‘honest’ is an attributive adjective, ‘honesty’ is
an abstract noun
Key Quotes:
‘valiant Othello’ ‘she wished that heaven had made her such a man’
‘She loved me for the dangers I had passed,/I loved her that she did pity them.’
‘Let me go with him.’ ‘Your son in law is far more fair than black’
‘If thou hast eyes to see/ She has deceived her father an may thee’
‘My life upon her faith!’ ‘Put money in thy purse’ ‘I hate the moor’
Analysis of Quotes Act 1 Scene 3
• ‘She wished that heaven made her such a man.’ ambiguity, Desdemona may
want a man like Othello, or does she want to be a man like Othello. As she is
quite outspoken and adventurous this might be the case.
• ‘Your son in law is far more fair than black’ The Duke suggests with this
metaphor that Othello is not a savage but a ‘valiant’ noble man. Connotations
of black and white in Elizabethan England were like this
• ‘If thou hast eyes to see/ She has deceived her father and may thee’ Third
person ‘her father’ Brabantio distances himself as he disowns his daughter.
Also this is a rhyming couplet, emphasises strong emotion.
• ‘My life upon her faith!’ exclamatory mood, Othello states his life depends on
her faithfulness.
• ‘Put money in thy purse’ This imperative sentence is repeated extensively by
Iago, shows how manipulative and passionate a villain he is.
• ‘I hate the Moor’ simple sentence, definite article emphasises Iago’s mistrust,
does not call Othello by his first name despite being rather friendly to him in
person.
Act 2 Scene 1
• The Turkish fleet is destroyed by
storm, ending the war. And all
characters arrive in Cyprus.
• Iago dislikes the courtesy in
which Cassio greets Emilia.
• Othello and Desdemona reunite
in joy.
• Iago persuades Roderigo to
attempt to anger Cassio to fight
• Iago in his soliloquy suspects
both Othello and Cassio of
cuckolding him-shows the extent
and irrationality of his own
jealousy.
Key Notes:
• The war being over foreshadows the emotional
war which is about to come.
• Cassio’s gallantry contrasts with Iago’s misogyny
• Othello and Desdemona greet each other with
utmost affection
• Desdemona reveals the different tone of speech
in which she is provocative and sexually
suggestive.
• Is Iago’s hatred more powerful than Othello’s
love?
• Ironically Othello is seen as a saviour and noble
warrior when he arrives in Cyprus but at the
conclusion of the play becomes a murderer and
lives up to his stereotype.
Key Quotes:
‘The divine Desdemona’ Cassio ‘our great Captain’s Captain’
‘Tis my breeding…’ ‘housewives in your beds’
‘O my fair warrior!/ My dear Othello!’
‘…a jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure’
Analysis of Quotes Act 2 Scene 1
• ‘ The divine Desdemona’ Definite article followed by an adjective(pre-
modifier). Cassio is showing his courtly behaviour, however he is
hypocritical as he treats Bianca differently in further Scenes.
• ‘…our great Captain’s Captain’ Iago suggests Desdemona has power over
Othello or that at least they are equal in rank.
• ‘Tis my breeding…’ Cassio warns Iago before he kisses Emilia, so that his
courtly behaviour will not offend Iago(but it does anyway)
• ‘O my fair warrior!/My dear Othello!’ shared line, possessive pronouns and
exclamatory mood, emphasises the high of emotion they are experience
and their togetherness is expressed through words.
• ‘…a jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure’ metaphor, jealousy as
an illness to be cured, seems like Iago believes his jealousy will be cured
with revenge and inflicting the disease-like jealousy to Othello.
• ‘…turned Turks' Alliteration, metaphor, The turks/ottomans were very
barbaric and unfriendly. Ironically, Othello is speaking of Cassio’s aggression
whereas Othello himself is the one who becomes a murderer and he puts
all his trust in Iago who is far worse than the aggressive Turks because his
aggression is manipulated to seem like honesty.
Act 2 Scene 3
• Iago is put in charge of festivities whilst
Othello and Desdemona leave to
consummate their marriage.
• Iago persuades Cassio to join them in
drinking
• Undermines Cassio’s reputation as
Roderigo fights Cassio
• Othello rises from his chamber and
dismisses Cassio from his post
• Iago advises Cassio to seek
Desdemona’s help to gain back his post
and reputation
• Iago intends to persuade his wife to
promote Cassio’s cause with
Desdemona while he gets ready to
poison Othello’s mind
Key Notes:
• The theme of reputation dominates this scene,
Cassio looses his reputation as a leutennant in
a drunken brawl, Othello looses his by loosing
his temper. Conversely Iago gains a reputation
as an honest man.
• Iago suggests to Cassio that Desdemona is
sexually promiscuous.
• Iago is able to control others with manipulation
and lies.
• The audience knows that Desdemona’s and
Othello’s love is not secure at this point.
• Iago becomes a Machiavellian villain
• Roderigo is Iago’s victim and he uses him as a
puppet.
• To Iago love=weakness and can be a good tool
Key Quotes:
‘Iago is most honest’ ‘What an eye she has!’
‘black Othello’
‘If consequence do but approve my dream,/My boat sails freely both with wind and stream.’
‘turned Turks' ‘Reputation, reputation, reputation!’ ‘Divinity of hell!’
‘I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear’
Analysis of Quotes Act 2 Scene 3
• ‘Iago is most honest’ superlative used to emphasise Othello’s trust in
Iago, also Iago’s honesty is repeated by many characters 52 times in
the play. This creates strong irony.
• ‘What an eye she has!’ Iago uses exclamatory mood and
metaphorical language to suggest that Desdemona is flirtatious
towards Cassio.
• ‘…black Othello.’ the pre-modifier suggests Iago is pointing out
Othello’s race
• ‘If consequence do but approve my dream,/My boat sails freely
both with wind and stream.’ Rhyming couplet, possessive pronoun
‘my dream’ emphasising his want for revenge, his dream becomes
the protagonist’s nightmare
• ‘Reputation, reputation, reputation!’ Asyndetic list, exclamatory
mood suggests strong emotion and Cassio’s devestation
• ‘Divinity of hell!’ oxymoron, juxtaposition, exclamatory
• ‘Ill pour this pestilence into his ear…’ Metaphor ‘pestilence’
meaning gossip leading to Othello’s jealousy. Seen as a disease that
can spread, ironically Iago is transferring his disease of jealousy onto
Othello.
Act 3 Scene 1 & 2
• Cassio hires some musicians to serenade to Othello and Desdemona but Othello sends a
clown to pay the musicians to leave.
• Iago says he will divert Othello’s attention so that Emilia can help Cassio speak to
Desdemona alone.
• Othello sets out to inspect the fortifications in the town with Iago.
Analysis:
‘I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest’ the irony is portrayed by some
productions as a satirical element for the audience. The comparative adds to Cassio’s
victimisation by Iago, and emphasises Iago’s cruel manipulation of the main characters of
the play. Every character is Iago’s puppet as he uses them for his own gain. They are too
naïve and trusting to suspect Iago of anything.
Cassio and Emilia share lines three times in Act 3 Scene 1, this shows the extent of
manipulation and dishonesty between the characters. Emilia is portraying herself as
honest and friendly to Cassio because Iago told her to do so. She is partly to blame for
following her husbands orders. Iago uses Emilia for his own gain, she is obedient to her
husband out of love therefore uses Cassio for her own gain. The cycle of manipulation
emphasises the toxicity of relationships in Othello. Shakespeare points out that
Desdemona is the only one who is truly pure, and also the one who suffers most from this
manipulative game which most characters are playing.
Act 3 Scene 3
• Desdemona pleads with Othello to
reinstate Cassio.
• Iago finally poisons Othello’s mind by
making subtle suggestions
• Othello begins to doubt Desdemona’s
love
• Desdemona drops her handkerchief
which Emilia picks up and gives to
Iago.
• Othello demands proof of Desdemona’s
adultery from Iago.
• Iago describes how Cassio called out
for Desdemona in a dream and shows
Othello the handkerchief.
• Othello promotes Iago and asks him to
kill Cassio
• Othello plans to kill Desdemona
Key Notes:
• This scene in the play is the most
devastating and tragic, because Iago’s evil
plan unfolds.
• The handkerchief, Iago’s ocular proof,
becomes a symbol of sexual promiscuity
and unfaithfulness, while in reality
Desdemona drops it out of concern for
Othello’s wellbeing and is a motif of her
pure love.
• Iago makes very subtle suggestions which
is a very effective and sneaky way to
poison Othello’s mind.
• Some critics suggest hints of homoerotic
love between Iago and Othello in this
scene. Final lines are like marriage vows
• The importance of masculine honour in
Renaissance society is observed through
Iago’s speech and Othello’s jealousy.
Quotes on next slide
Act 3 Scene 3 Quotes Analysis 1
• ‘Ha! I like not that.’ Exclamatory mood, archaic inverted syntax, Iago’s subtle
suggestions alert Othello’s attention
• ‘O beware ,my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green eyed monster which doth mock/ The
meat it feeds on’ Metaphor, enjambment. Ironically Iago is the green eyed monster in
the play as he promotes jealousy and manipulates others
• ‘Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy,’ Othello is confident that he will not be moved
by jealous thoughts
• ‘…she had eyes and chose me.’ Othello believes rightfully, that Desdemona did not fall
for him on the basis of appearance. Sight is a motif used as ocular proof is what
destroys Othello’s love for Desdemona.
• ‘She did deceive her father, marrying you’ Brabantio says this in Act 1, Iago repeats it
to suggest Desdemona’s untruthfulness
• ‘To seal her father’s eyes up close as oak’ Metaphor/simile Iago suggests Desdemona is
a master in deceiving people and that she is not what she seems
• ‘I am bound to thee forever’ Othello and then end of scene Iago says ‘I am your own
forever’ This is significant, like a marriage vow, only Othello’s marriage is destroyed by
Iago, so it is irony. The abstract noun ‘forever’(not sure bout this) is repeated.
• ‘Why did I marry?’ interrogative mood, Othello begins to question his marriage and his
love for Desdemona fades
• ‘I am black. And have not those soft parts of conversation’ metaphor suggests that
Othello is not a noble man and this bothers him, he feels self conscious
• ‘O curse of marriage!’ exclamatory mood sees marriage as a curse
Act 3 Scene 3 Quotes Analysis 2
• ‘I nothing but to please his fantasy.’ possessive pronoun suggests Emilia feels marginalised
as Iago loves his revenge more than he does her.
• ‘foolish wife’ Iago’s misogyny
• ‘A good wench! Give it me.’ and ‘Go, leave me’ imperatives emphasise Iago’s attitude
towards women, sees Emilia as his servant and not as an equal
• ‘The Moor already changes with my poison’ metaphor, jealousy is seen as a disease, a
bringer of pain and death
• ‘Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!’ Repetition, exclamatory sentences,
Othello’s happiness relies on Desdemona’s dignity. selfish
• ‘Her name that was as fresh/ As Dian’s visage is now begrimed and black/As mine own
face’ metaphor/ allusion / simile Othello is only concerned about Desdemona’s reputation,
this is a very misogynistic approach
• ‘I’ll tear her all to pieces!’ Exclamatory, dynamic verb, Othello becomes aggressive and
lives up to the Elizabethan stereotype of black men being barbaric.
• ‘Arise black vengeance, form thy hollow cell!’ the adjective black is used many times to
emphasise Othello’s self consciousness. He sees black which is his skin colour as something
evil. In chapter 1 he believed he had a ‘perfect soul’ with the belief that Desdemona has
cuckolded him, his self respect diminishes
• ‘lewd minx’ Othello is beginning to use pre modifiers and insults that Iago uses to describe
women. He becomes more and more like Iago. His fatal flaw(Hamartia) has gotten the best
of him.
Further Analysis
Silence & Submission
In this scene female characters are
silenced by their husbands. Neither
Desdemona or Emilia are listened to.
They both do what they are told,
both husbands Iago and Othello use
imperatives when speaking to their
wives, shows the extent of
patriarchal society.
Othello’s Vulnerability
He is inexperienced in dealing with conflict in his
private life. He may be a great soldier who can
fight and solve physical threats but he has no
emotional strength. This makes Iago’s evil plan
easier to put in action.
He internalises self hatred due to the subtle
racism he feels culturally and personally amongst
Venetian society.
Conflict
Love and War is at conflict,
Othello is unable to make his
mind up, he loves
Desdemona but his sense of
self respect diminishes as he
feels ’cuckolded’. He turns
from a romantic hero to a
jealous and violent revenger.
His sense of love and hate is
at conflict.
The Handkerchief
The handkerchief is used as a symbol of
Desdemona's love. This motif plays an
important part in triggering Othello’s jealousy
as he is a soldier, he believes in what he sees,
he needs the ocular proof of Desdemona’s
adultery. This symbol of purity and love
becomes a sinister object connoting hatred and
jealousy. The token of love becomes a symbol
of destruction. Therefore it plays a significant
role in creating a sense of tragedy in Othello.
Act 3 Scene 4
• Desdemona asks the Clown to inform
Cassio that she has pleaded for him.
• She is uneasy about loosing the
handkerchief.
• She tries again to promote Cassio’s
cause
• Othello is angry, believes Desdemona
has lost the handkerchief.
• Emilia and Desdemona have a
conversation about Othello’s jealousy
• Bianca is annoyed with Cassio
because he hasn’t visited her in a
week. He gives her the handkerchief
that he found in his chamber.
Key Notes:
• The handkerchief becomes an ominous
symbol of Desdemona’s suspected adultery
and the whole plot hangs on it. It
represents different things for each
character.
• Othello becomes more and more aggressive
• The character of Bianca is introduced as
Cassio’s loving/prostitute partner.
• Desdemona becomes the victim of all
characters. Even the Clown misunderstands
her, Emilia and Cassio use her for their own
gain. She is powerless and alone.
• In RSC 2015 production Desdemona is very
playful and sexually suggestive towards
Othello’s temper, which heightens his
jealousy even more.
Act 3 Scene 4 Quotes Analysis
• ‘my noble Moor is true of mind’ possessive determiner Desdemona loves and believes in
Othello, she thinks he could not possibly be jealous.
• ‘the sun where he was born drew all such humours from him’ She links his romanticism
with his skin colour and culture. Desdemona truly believes Othello is a perfect man.
• ‘There’s magic in the web of it’ Othello’s becomes suspicious of everything. The ‘magic’ so
to speak could be seen as the power the handkerchief has over the characters of the play,
and that Desdemona’s life simply depends on its existence.
• ‘my lord is not my lord’ parallel syntax, Desdemona realises there’s something wrong with
her husband, but still does not suspect it is jealousy
• ‘They are all but stomachs, we all but food/ They eat us hungerly, and when they are full/
They belch us’ metaphor, Emilia suggests that women are constantly used by their
husbands for selfish reasons. Considering the three women in the play all are devoted and
loving towards their partners emphasise the ideal for femininity, women are pure, loving
and giving whilst their husbands/lovers mistreat them throughout the play.
• ‘It is a monster/ Begot upon itself, born on itself.’ metaphor, the idea of jealousy being a
monster is repeated a considerable amount of times throughout the play
• ‘my most fair Bianca’ Cassio uses possessive determiner showing his affection
• ‘Go to woman!’ imperative, Cassio is just like other men in the play, he is selfish and
commanding when it comes to love
• ‘Not that I love you not’ Cassio uses inverted syntax to describe his love which suggests he
does not want to love Bianca because she is a prostitute. Prostitutes were seen in
Elizabethan England as non marriage material and certainly disloyal. Cassio likes spending
time with Bianca but also is trying to live up to societal norms, does not want to be seen
with Bianca in public.
Act 4 Scene 1
• Iago torments Othello with
crude images of Desdemona’s
infidelity and references to the
handkerchief which results in
Othello fainting in a fit.
• Othello wakes and then hides
to watch Cassio’s conversation
with Iago.
• Othello misunderstands
Cassio’s words about Bianca,
and thinks he is speaking of
Desdemona.
• He sees Bianca with the
handkerchief and vows to
murder his wife.
• Venetian visitors bring news
that Cassio is to replace
Othello.
• Othello strikes Desdemona in
front of Venetian guests
Key notes:
• The verbal and physical violence in this scene
foreshadows the murders to come.
• Othello sees the soon to come murder as
‘justice’.
• Othello becomes the black stereotype, savage
and ungentlemanly by showing violence
towards his wife in public.
• In Shakespearean England domestic violence
was frowned upon by the elite of society,
especially if in public. But lower class women
were subject to domestic abuse frequently at
this time.
• Othello's degradation worsens, in spite the
verbal and physical violence there is much
pathos in this scene as Othello is making the
decision to kill the woman he truly loves.
• Othello has reached rock bottom and ruines his
reputation by the end of this scene.
• Critic G.K. Hunter says Iago wants to prove that
black men are evil, he is prejudiced.
Act 4 Scene 1 Quotes Analysis
• ‘Lie with her? Lie on her?’ interrogative, Othello starts to look to Iago for answers to every question.
• ‘A horned man’s a monster and a beast’ Indirect simile. Othello is trying to justify his anger and barbarity.
• ‘how shall I murder him Iago?’ He’s lost self control, becomes Iago’s puppet. Asks Iago for approval on everything.
• ‘A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!’ pathos, a-syndetic list, exclamatory mood. Othello is confused with
anger and love, he is in a state of frustration, this foreshadows how Othello kills Desdemona from loving her too
much.
• ‘O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear!’ metaphor, exclamatory sees himself as a bear for being so savage in
self denial
• ‘I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me!’ violent imagery, selfishness
• ‘…even the bed she hath contaminated’ past tense dynamic verb, irony because Iago is the one contaminating
Othello’s mind
• ‘Devil!’ Othello becomes very insulting and barbaric with his words also begins using exclamatory and interrogative
mood a lot emphasising his jealousy and insanity. He is questioning everything
• ‘What! Strike his wife!’ Ludovico is concerned and shocked at Othello’s un-courtly behaviour.
Further Analysis:
Iago torments Othello’s mind with crude imagery of Desdemona’s infidelity and Desdemona
becomes the victim as Othello finally confronts her and insults her violently in front of elite
Venetians.
Othello becomes barbaric and violent /he is suffering seriously from jealousy. Othello’s
hamartia has poisoned his actions and thoughts, with the help of Iago’s evil.
Iago is in full control of Othello’s emotions and actions. He can make Othello do what he
says. Othello becomes reliant on Iago for support and decision making.
However we must remember the play’s original title was ‘The tragedy of Othello, the Moor
of Venice’ which suggests that even though Desdemona is the victim of jealousy,
Shakespeare sees Othello as the victim, he suffers from Iago’s evil actions.
Act 4 Scene 2
• Othello questions
Emilia but does not
believe her when she
says Desdemona is
true.
• Othello confronts
Desdemona
• Othello offers Emilia
money to tell him
• Desdemona appeals to
Iago for help
• Iago persuades
Roderigo to help kill
Cassio
Key Notes
• Even though Othello speaks at a measured
tone he is at war with him self and uses
repeated contrasting images.
• Uses 3rd person when talking about himself
showing the distance between the pair.
• Both females tell the truth but are ignored or
abused for doing so.
• Both are called ‘whore’ repeatedly by their
husbands. Even though they tell the truth and
defend each other.
• Desdemona is bewildered by her husbands
treatment.
• She looks for excuses for his behaviour which
shows her eternal love for him. It also
demonstrates Desdemona’s forgiving nature
and death. She blames herself for Othello
murdering her.
Act 4 Scene 2 Quotes Analysis
• ‘Your wife my lord, your true and loyal wife’ Desdemona still uses possessive pronoun
to show her affection and respect to her husband despite his unkindness.
• ‘…thou art false as hell’ simile
• ‘strumpet!’ exclamatory mood, Othello speaks with emotion, he is driven by anger and
jealousy and has lost his rationality.
• ‘O, heaven forgive us!’ Desdemona is religious and believes that a husband and wife
having quarrels is something sinful. She is pure and naive
• ‘I am a Christian’
• ‘…some eternal villain,/ some busy and insinuating rogue,/ some cogging, cozening
slave’ parallel syntax, pre modifiers, alliteration, ironically Emilia is speaking of Iago
without knowing that he is the one causing the jealousy in Othello.
• ‘…hell gnaw his bones!’ imagery of hell, Emilia loves Desdemona and wants revenge. It
foreshadows how she gives up on her husband and her life to do the right thing by
telling the truth at the end.
• ‘…his unkindness may defeat my life,/ But never taint my love.’ Desdemona is
foreshadowing her own death in which her last words suggest she does not blame her
murderer.
Act 4 Scene 3
• Othello sends Desdemona
to prepare for bed.
• The two females
Desdemona and Emilia
discuss infidelity
• Desdemona sings the
Willow Song
Key Notes:
• In this scene the audience is invited to compare the two
females views on the events.
• Desdemona is melancholic, she believes Othello does not love
her.
• Like her husband Emilia has a cynical view of human
relationships she holds a pragmatic approach to sin.
• In Renaissance society the symbol of the ring was that of
female chastity reminding us f the double standards of
Shakespeare’s time, when codes for sexual conduct were very
different for each gender.
• Emilia says she wishes Desdemona had never met Othello. It is
appropriate that a woman accuses and condemns
Desdemona’s abusers.
• Emilia offers a realistic description of marriage. Many of her
ideas will strike a chord with modern audiences used to
gender equality.
• It is unusual for Shakespeare to give a large chunk of this
scene for the discussion of sexual politics, especially before
the conclusion of the play. It could be said that the monarchy
in England effected the public perception of womanhood as
England was reigned by a woman; Queen Elizabeth.
Therefore women in Othello are loving and respectful despite
their flaws as Queen Elizabeth was well loved during this era,
and Shakespeare would have had respect for her.
The Willow Song:
The quiet ending of this scene,
and the melancholy of the song
foreshadows the brutal murder
to come in the act.
The Willow Tree symbolises
weeping and grief as well as
having connotations of women
grieving over lost love.
Act 4 Scene 3 Quotes Analysis
• ‘I would you had never seen him’ Emilia wishes Desdemona had never met
Othello, which suggests they go back far in their friendship.
• ‘…there be women do abuse their husbands/In such gross kind?’
interrogative Desdemona is questioning infidelity, she cannot make sense
that women do such things to their husbands. Emilia has a different point of
view.
• ‘I do think it is their husbands faults/ If wives do fall’ metaphor Emilia
suggests that it is the man’s fault if the woman decides to cuckold him.
• ‘Let husbands know their wives have sense like them’
Act 5 Scene 1
• Roderigo tries to wound
Cassio but instead Cassio
wounds him.
• Iago stabs Cassio in the
leg, Othello hears cries,
believes Cassio has been
killed and is spurred on to
his own revenge.
• Iago kills Roderigo.
• Bianca appears, Iago
accuses her in planning to
kill Cassio.
• Roderigo’s body is
discovered Iago sends
Emilia to inform Othello
and Desdemona.
Key Notes:
• Iago calls Roderigo a ‘young quat’ showing his
disrespect and carelessness with human life.
• Iago seeks to destroy human virtue
• The setting in both the exposition and conclusion
of the play mirror each other.
• The language Othello uses in Act 4 and 5 are
violent which could stop the audience from
sympathising with him.
• Bianca’s love for Cassio is honest but she suffers
for it, just like Desdemona suffers for her honest
love.
• The way Bianca is abused and suffers mirrors
Desdemona’s downfall.
• It could be argued that love makes women
helpless victims in this play.
• Othello is ultimately an onlooker who fails to see
the truth. His misunderstanding spurs Ohtello
into jealousy.
• Othello is not taking responsibility for his actions,
he refers tohimself in third person to distance
himself from what he is about to commit. He
claims its Desdemona’s unblessed faith and that
her murder is a sacrifice.
Act 5 Scene 1 analysis
• ‘Every way makes my gain’ indefinite pronoun suggests whoever dies it is going to be of
use to Iago’s evil plan
• ‘O brave Iago, honest and just,’ mirrors what Roderigo says at the end of this scene.
• ‘Thy bed lust stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted.’ personification of lust as a
living monster
• ‘O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!’ exclamatory, Roderigo is Iago’s victim
• ‘…my sweet Cassio’ possessive determiner suggests Bianca’s true and honest love,
however this contrasts with what Iago says straight after.
• ‘O notable strumpet!’ exclamatory, Iago’s hatred for love and its purity is emphasised as
he frowns in disgust at Bianca’s nurturing love
• ‘…this trash’ calls Bianca an inanimate object
• ‘I am no strumpet, but of life as honest/As you that thus abuse me.’ simile Bianca is
trying to be understood for the human being she is. She is constantly ridiculed and
marginalised in society because she is a prostitute. In Elizabethan society prostitution
was the lowest job for a woman, and also one of the only jobs. Prostitutes were
outcasts of society and would be abused and murder victims in many cases.
Act 5 Scene 2
• As Desdemona sleeps
Othello explains how he
will kill her, then kisses
her which wakes her up
• Desdemona weeps when
told Cassio is dead, which
makes Othello even more
jealous
• Othello smothers her
• Emilia walks in then
Othello explains why he
killed Desdemona calmly
which Emilia responds in
insults.
• Emilia fetches Montano,
Gratiano and Iago.
• Iago denies Emilia’s
accusations of villainy
and repeatedly tells her
to go home and shut up
• Iago stabs Emilia, Othello
realising Iago’s plots
wounds Iago and kills
himself.
Key Notes:
• Othello denies killing Desdemona at first, and then
describes the necessity and sacrificial elements of
her murder.
• Desdemona tries to preserve Othello’s good
reputation even on her death bed.
• Tragic imagery, Othello is obsessed with his
masculine identity, wants to be ‘an honourable
murderer’ ironically
• When he finds out the truth he believes he deserves
the torments of hell.
• Emilia is the hero in this scene. She sacrifices her life
to speak the truth. She is constantly told by her
husband to shut up and leave but she stays and
denounces the truth.
• Its ironic that 'honest’ Iago is destroyed by his wife's
real honesty
• Emilia’s true friendship and loyalty to Desdemona
adds pathos to the scene, she also sings the willow
song which emphasises the tragedy
• Othello feels remorse in his final speech and uses
metaphorical language and simile’s to emphasise the
strong regret he is feeling.
Act 5 Scene 2 Analysis
• ‘…that whiter skin of hers than snow.’ comparative and simile suggest Othello
is still in love with Desdemona
• ‘this sorrow’s heavenly’ oxymoron
• ‘a sacrifice’ indefinite article
• ‘sweet revenge grows harsh’ oxymoron
• ‘Nobody-myself-farewell.’
• ‘O, the more angel she,/And you the blacker devil!’ comparatives
• ‘thou art a devil.’
• ‘That’s he that was Othello: here I am’ self betreyal, thrid person pronoun
distances himself from murder.
• ‘ I will not charm my tongue’ modal auxillary verbs suggest Emilia is ready to
fight for the truth she is done with Iago’s evil lies and abuse.
• ‘I will ne’er go home.’ Emilia stands up for herself she is determinet to speak
the truth and even die for it.
• ‘Villainous whore!’ Irony, Iago is villainous, Emilia is pure
• ‘tis happiness to die.’
• ‘an honourable murderer’
Points for introductions, conclusions and context
• Written in 1603-4
• Its beauty derives from the characters of the hero and the heroine, from the unique and
intense nature of their love for each other.
• There is an anticipation of disaster that commences in the opening scene and intensifies
throughout the play.
• Othello’s transformation in character is what makes it a tragedy as Iago destroys
everything good about himself and his marriage.
• We must remember that this is a tragedy and not a problem play on such issues as racial
prejudice, gender relations and the pathology of violence although it clearly involves these
matters.
• It is also Othello’s tragedy not that of the innocent Desdemona, even though she is the
victim.
• Malignancy of Iago destroys their love
• The greatness and goodness of Othello, his achievements in his profession and his
personal life his intense happiness is swiftly and utterly undone.
• He sinks from the height of human excellence into the very baseness of human nature.
• This transformation of Othello’s character is what creates the tragedy.
Othello as a character
• There is a tragic focus on the moor, his degradation, his despair and his colour are a
part of the tragedy.
• Shakespeare has given the protagonist a unique and musical name that introduces him
as an exotic stranger and romantic gentleman. His idiosyncratic speech style gives him
a very unique effect as a character.
• ‘The Moor of Venice’ this defines him as a paradox, Two opposing cultures are
conjoined through Othello’s name as belonging to Venice, and also through his marriage
to Desdemona.
• Venice was the epitome of Western civilisation.
• The word Moor was used to describe anybody non-white and non-western. Such as
Turks, Blacks there was no distinction made between these cultures.
• The racist Iago reduces Othello to the stereotypical barbarian with savage instincts.
• Othello remarks bitterly in the last Scene, ‘That’s he that was Othello: here I am’,
total self betrayal
• Venetian’s identify him as the base ‘other’. Not once in the play is he referred to as
Othello or the General. In Act 1, Iago and Roderigo stir up a racist feeling in Brabantio
towards Othello, despite his apparent friendliness towards the Moor, he was happy to
entertain him but his daughters sexual union with the black man as imaged by Iago
now horrifies the senator.
• At first Othello is a attractive and noble character. He portrays dignity, courage and charm
through his blank verses and unmoved tone of voice. His love for Desdemona shows
depth and quality and he appreciates her incomparable worth, not once is he sexually
crude or disrespectful, he loves her for who she is.
• Othello in Act 1 comes across as a true romantic, he firmly establishes the romantic hero
archetype. He is compellingly strange and attractive and fulfils the Elizabethan ideal of a
poetic gentleman.
• He is the ideal of the hero or complete man: valiant but eloquent, modest, gifted with
the power to disarm, move and persuade others through the witchcraft of his tongue.
• Othello is portrayed as the archetypal hero, the community depends on him he is it’s
protector and saviour. The unfallen Othello conforms to this hero figure more than any other
Shakespearian protagonist.
• He immediately rebukes himself for indulging in his own happiness after meeting Desdemona
in Cyprus. Forgetting the ship’s master ; he askes him to be fetched and escorted to the
citadel. His generous nature makes him a true hero
• For Othello love and duty are frequently at odds, but Othello keeps a harmonious
relation between the two.
• He will not let love to conflict with his ‘serious and great business’ as military governor of
the island.
• These are few details that establish Shakespeare’s conception of Othello as a man of
exceptional and innate nobility despite his background and skin colour.

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Othello by William Shakespeare, Notes, Quotes and Analysis by T. Scarsbrook

  • 2. Act 1 scene 1 • Roderigo unhappy with Iago for failing to promote his marriage to Desdemona. • Iago is jealous of Cassio’s new position • Roderigo and Iago wake Brabantio and point out his daughter is missing. Key Quotations: ‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’ Iago ‘ damned in a fair wife’ Iago I am not what I am.’ ‘thick lips’ ‘an old black ram/Is tupping your white ewe.’ ‘Plague him with flies’ ‘the devil will make a grandsire out of you’ ‘Thieves! Thieves! Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!’ ‘Thou art a villain’ Brabantio to Iago ‘you’ll have your nephews neigh to you’ ‘O treason of blood!’ Key Notes: • Othello is a mysterious character at this point and is referred to as The Moor, which points out he is a black character. • Iago is revealed as a villain as he has clear motives early in this Act to take revenge. • Iago describes crude sexual imagery of Othello and Desdemona. • The theme of jealousy is significant and becomes the most important theme in the exposition of the play. • Elizabethan idea of black men being predators • The imagery associated with women and the discussion of women without their presence reveals the patriarchal structure of Venetian society.
  • 3. Analysis of Quotes Act 1 Scene 1 • ‘…damned in a fair wife.’ Adjective, Iago established his misogynistic views. • ‘Plague him with flies’ Metaphor, manipulation • ‘Thieves! Thieves! Look to your house, your daughter and your bags!’ Exclamatory sentence, Repetition of thieves, your- possessive pronoun, syndetic listing of three. Desdemona seen as valuable object. ‘Look’ imperative • ‘Thou art a villain’ Brabantio is one of the only ones to call Iago by what he is. Archaic direct address • ‘you’ll have your nephews neigh to you’ Alliteration, metaphor, Iago suggesting Othello is like an animal, a horse/donkey • ‘the devil will make a grandsire out of you’ definite article, suggests Othello being black makes him the devil. • ‘thick lips’ Othello’s physical appearance is a target for derision for Iago, noun phrase
  • 4. Act 1 Scene 2 • Othello is told that Brabantio could get him arrested • Othello is confident that he has a good reputation • Cassio brings news that the Duke is sitting an urgent council meeting • Othello denies Brabantio’s accusations • Brabantio goes to the council meeting too Key Notes: • First impressions of protagonist, Othello. Who speaks in ‘blank verse’ • Iago does his best to stir up trouble • Cassio comes across as reliable however, Othello has not told him about his marriage which sets him apart and distances the two characters. • Cassio also fails to understand Iago’s sexual joke which suggests he does not share the same crude sense of humour. • In RSC’s 2015 Othello production, Iago is portrayed by also a black actor, making Othello and Iago the only black men. This may be so that it results in sexual dominance between the two, but also brings them together as they are black men in a white dominated society, subsequently they are outcasts. A good way to justify Othello’s immense trust for Iago. Key Quotes: ‘I love the gentle Desdemona’ ‘My parts, my title and my perfect soul’ ‘O thou foul thief!’ ‘… thou hast enchanted her’
  • 5. Analysis of quotes Act 1 Scene 2 • ‘I love thee gentle Desdemona’ this is the first sincere reference to love in the play. Othello puts it simply and clearly. Archaic definite article suggests his respect to her name and class. • ‘My parts, my title and my perfect soul…’ Use of syndetic listing and rule of three. Suggests Othello is confident with himself. • ‘O thou foul thief!’ exclamatory mood, archaic pronoun, alliteration emphasises Brabantio’s anger. Desdemona seen as an object which has been stolen from his possession. Marriage in Elizabethan England was also a financial transaction with the upper classes, therefore Brabantio has missed his opportunity in an investment. • ‘…thou hast enchanted her’ dynamic past participle verb, Brabantio is suspicious, thinks because Othello is black he is evil and knows how to enchant people with herbs and minerals. Believes Othello has taken advantage of Desdemona's naivety because why would Desdemona go for an old black man in Venetian society.
  • 6. Act 1 Scene 3 • Othello is told to prepare for war in Cyprus against the Turks • Brabantio repeats his accusations of witchcraft • Othello recounts the history of his relationship with Desdemona • Desdemona agrees with Othello and justifies his claims of love • She then asks to go with Othello to Cyprus • Brabantio warns Othello about trusting Desdemona • Iago says he will help Roderigo seduce Desdemona and cuckold Othello. Key Notes: • Discussions move back and forth between love and war, foreshadowing the plot. • First impression of Desdemona as outspoken and brave. • Iago speaks in fast moving prose when outwitting Roderigo suggesting he is thinking on his feet. • He then returns to blank verse and in his soliloquy he is undecided how he shall take revenge. The reader sees Iago’s motiveless jealousy and subsequently his lack of intelligence that comes with his manipulative character. • ‘honest’ is an attributive adjective, ‘honesty’ is an abstract noun Key Quotes: ‘valiant Othello’ ‘she wished that heaven had made her such a man’ ‘She loved me for the dangers I had passed,/I loved her that she did pity them.’ ‘Let me go with him.’ ‘Your son in law is far more fair than black’ ‘If thou hast eyes to see/ She has deceived her father an may thee’ ‘My life upon her faith!’ ‘Put money in thy purse’ ‘I hate the moor’
  • 7. Analysis of Quotes Act 1 Scene 3 • ‘She wished that heaven made her such a man.’ ambiguity, Desdemona may want a man like Othello, or does she want to be a man like Othello. As she is quite outspoken and adventurous this might be the case. • ‘Your son in law is far more fair than black’ The Duke suggests with this metaphor that Othello is not a savage but a ‘valiant’ noble man. Connotations of black and white in Elizabethan England were like this • ‘If thou hast eyes to see/ She has deceived her father and may thee’ Third person ‘her father’ Brabantio distances himself as he disowns his daughter. Also this is a rhyming couplet, emphasises strong emotion. • ‘My life upon her faith!’ exclamatory mood, Othello states his life depends on her faithfulness. • ‘Put money in thy purse’ This imperative sentence is repeated extensively by Iago, shows how manipulative and passionate a villain he is. • ‘I hate the Moor’ simple sentence, definite article emphasises Iago’s mistrust, does not call Othello by his first name despite being rather friendly to him in person.
  • 8. Act 2 Scene 1 • The Turkish fleet is destroyed by storm, ending the war. And all characters arrive in Cyprus. • Iago dislikes the courtesy in which Cassio greets Emilia. • Othello and Desdemona reunite in joy. • Iago persuades Roderigo to attempt to anger Cassio to fight • Iago in his soliloquy suspects both Othello and Cassio of cuckolding him-shows the extent and irrationality of his own jealousy. Key Notes: • The war being over foreshadows the emotional war which is about to come. • Cassio’s gallantry contrasts with Iago’s misogyny • Othello and Desdemona greet each other with utmost affection • Desdemona reveals the different tone of speech in which she is provocative and sexually suggestive. • Is Iago’s hatred more powerful than Othello’s love? • Ironically Othello is seen as a saviour and noble warrior when he arrives in Cyprus but at the conclusion of the play becomes a murderer and lives up to his stereotype. Key Quotes: ‘The divine Desdemona’ Cassio ‘our great Captain’s Captain’ ‘Tis my breeding…’ ‘housewives in your beds’ ‘O my fair warrior!/ My dear Othello!’ ‘…a jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure’
  • 9. Analysis of Quotes Act 2 Scene 1 • ‘ The divine Desdemona’ Definite article followed by an adjective(pre- modifier). Cassio is showing his courtly behaviour, however he is hypocritical as he treats Bianca differently in further Scenes. • ‘…our great Captain’s Captain’ Iago suggests Desdemona has power over Othello or that at least they are equal in rank. • ‘Tis my breeding…’ Cassio warns Iago before he kisses Emilia, so that his courtly behaviour will not offend Iago(but it does anyway) • ‘O my fair warrior!/My dear Othello!’ shared line, possessive pronouns and exclamatory mood, emphasises the high of emotion they are experience and their togetherness is expressed through words. • ‘…a jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure’ metaphor, jealousy as an illness to be cured, seems like Iago believes his jealousy will be cured with revenge and inflicting the disease-like jealousy to Othello. • ‘…turned Turks' Alliteration, metaphor, The turks/ottomans were very barbaric and unfriendly. Ironically, Othello is speaking of Cassio’s aggression whereas Othello himself is the one who becomes a murderer and he puts all his trust in Iago who is far worse than the aggressive Turks because his aggression is manipulated to seem like honesty.
  • 10. Act 2 Scene 3 • Iago is put in charge of festivities whilst Othello and Desdemona leave to consummate their marriage. • Iago persuades Cassio to join them in drinking • Undermines Cassio’s reputation as Roderigo fights Cassio • Othello rises from his chamber and dismisses Cassio from his post • Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona’s help to gain back his post and reputation • Iago intends to persuade his wife to promote Cassio’s cause with Desdemona while he gets ready to poison Othello’s mind Key Notes: • The theme of reputation dominates this scene, Cassio looses his reputation as a leutennant in a drunken brawl, Othello looses his by loosing his temper. Conversely Iago gains a reputation as an honest man. • Iago suggests to Cassio that Desdemona is sexually promiscuous. • Iago is able to control others with manipulation and lies. • The audience knows that Desdemona’s and Othello’s love is not secure at this point. • Iago becomes a Machiavellian villain • Roderigo is Iago’s victim and he uses him as a puppet. • To Iago love=weakness and can be a good tool Key Quotes: ‘Iago is most honest’ ‘What an eye she has!’ ‘black Othello’ ‘If consequence do but approve my dream,/My boat sails freely both with wind and stream.’ ‘turned Turks' ‘Reputation, reputation, reputation!’ ‘Divinity of hell!’ ‘I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear’
  • 11. Analysis of Quotes Act 2 Scene 3 • ‘Iago is most honest’ superlative used to emphasise Othello’s trust in Iago, also Iago’s honesty is repeated by many characters 52 times in the play. This creates strong irony. • ‘What an eye she has!’ Iago uses exclamatory mood and metaphorical language to suggest that Desdemona is flirtatious towards Cassio. • ‘…black Othello.’ the pre-modifier suggests Iago is pointing out Othello’s race • ‘If consequence do but approve my dream,/My boat sails freely both with wind and stream.’ Rhyming couplet, possessive pronoun ‘my dream’ emphasising his want for revenge, his dream becomes the protagonist’s nightmare • ‘Reputation, reputation, reputation!’ Asyndetic list, exclamatory mood suggests strong emotion and Cassio’s devestation • ‘Divinity of hell!’ oxymoron, juxtaposition, exclamatory • ‘Ill pour this pestilence into his ear…’ Metaphor ‘pestilence’ meaning gossip leading to Othello’s jealousy. Seen as a disease that can spread, ironically Iago is transferring his disease of jealousy onto Othello.
  • 12. Act 3 Scene 1 & 2 • Cassio hires some musicians to serenade to Othello and Desdemona but Othello sends a clown to pay the musicians to leave. • Iago says he will divert Othello’s attention so that Emilia can help Cassio speak to Desdemona alone. • Othello sets out to inspect the fortifications in the town with Iago. Analysis: ‘I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest’ the irony is portrayed by some productions as a satirical element for the audience. The comparative adds to Cassio’s victimisation by Iago, and emphasises Iago’s cruel manipulation of the main characters of the play. Every character is Iago’s puppet as he uses them for his own gain. They are too naïve and trusting to suspect Iago of anything. Cassio and Emilia share lines three times in Act 3 Scene 1, this shows the extent of manipulation and dishonesty between the characters. Emilia is portraying herself as honest and friendly to Cassio because Iago told her to do so. She is partly to blame for following her husbands orders. Iago uses Emilia for his own gain, she is obedient to her husband out of love therefore uses Cassio for her own gain. The cycle of manipulation emphasises the toxicity of relationships in Othello. Shakespeare points out that Desdemona is the only one who is truly pure, and also the one who suffers most from this manipulative game which most characters are playing.
  • 13. Act 3 Scene 3 • Desdemona pleads with Othello to reinstate Cassio. • Iago finally poisons Othello’s mind by making subtle suggestions • Othello begins to doubt Desdemona’s love • Desdemona drops her handkerchief which Emilia picks up and gives to Iago. • Othello demands proof of Desdemona’s adultery from Iago. • Iago describes how Cassio called out for Desdemona in a dream and shows Othello the handkerchief. • Othello promotes Iago and asks him to kill Cassio • Othello plans to kill Desdemona Key Notes: • This scene in the play is the most devastating and tragic, because Iago’s evil plan unfolds. • The handkerchief, Iago’s ocular proof, becomes a symbol of sexual promiscuity and unfaithfulness, while in reality Desdemona drops it out of concern for Othello’s wellbeing and is a motif of her pure love. • Iago makes very subtle suggestions which is a very effective and sneaky way to poison Othello’s mind. • Some critics suggest hints of homoerotic love between Iago and Othello in this scene. Final lines are like marriage vows • The importance of masculine honour in Renaissance society is observed through Iago’s speech and Othello’s jealousy. Quotes on next slide
  • 14. Act 3 Scene 3 Quotes Analysis 1 • ‘Ha! I like not that.’ Exclamatory mood, archaic inverted syntax, Iago’s subtle suggestions alert Othello’s attention • ‘O beware ,my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green eyed monster which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on’ Metaphor, enjambment. Ironically Iago is the green eyed monster in the play as he promotes jealousy and manipulates others • ‘Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy,’ Othello is confident that he will not be moved by jealous thoughts • ‘…she had eyes and chose me.’ Othello believes rightfully, that Desdemona did not fall for him on the basis of appearance. Sight is a motif used as ocular proof is what destroys Othello’s love for Desdemona. • ‘She did deceive her father, marrying you’ Brabantio says this in Act 1, Iago repeats it to suggest Desdemona’s untruthfulness • ‘To seal her father’s eyes up close as oak’ Metaphor/simile Iago suggests Desdemona is a master in deceiving people and that she is not what she seems • ‘I am bound to thee forever’ Othello and then end of scene Iago says ‘I am your own forever’ This is significant, like a marriage vow, only Othello’s marriage is destroyed by Iago, so it is irony. The abstract noun ‘forever’(not sure bout this) is repeated. • ‘Why did I marry?’ interrogative mood, Othello begins to question his marriage and his love for Desdemona fades • ‘I am black. And have not those soft parts of conversation’ metaphor suggests that Othello is not a noble man and this bothers him, he feels self conscious • ‘O curse of marriage!’ exclamatory mood sees marriage as a curse
  • 15. Act 3 Scene 3 Quotes Analysis 2 • ‘I nothing but to please his fantasy.’ possessive pronoun suggests Emilia feels marginalised as Iago loves his revenge more than he does her. • ‘foolish wife’ Iago’s misogyny • ‘A good wench! Give it me.’ and ‘Go, leave me’ imperatives emphasise Iago’s attitude towards women, sees Emilia as his servant and not as an equal • ‘The Moor already changes with my poison’ metaphor, jealousy is seen as a disease, a bringer of pain and death • ‘Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!’ Repetition, exclamatory sentences, Othello’s happiness relies on Desdemona’s dignity. selfish • ‘Her name that was as fresh/ As Dian’s visage is now begrimed and black/As mine own face’ metaphor/ allusion / simile Othello is only concerned about Desdemona’s reputation, this is a very misogynistic approach • ‘I’ll tear her all to pieces!’ Exclamatory, dynamic verb, Othello becomes aggressive and lives up to the Elizabethan stereotype of black men being barbaric. • ‘Arise black vengeance, form thy hollow cell!’ the adjective black is used many times to emphasise Othello’s self consciousness. He sees black which is his skin colour as something evil. In chapter 1 he believed he had a ‘perfect soul’ with the belief that Desdemona has cuckolded him, his self respect diminishes • ‘lewd minx’ Othello is beginning to use pre modifiers and insults that Iago uses to describe women. He becomes more and more like Iago. His fatal flaw(Hamartia) has gotten the best of him.
  • 16. Further Analysis Silence & Submission In this scene female characters are silenced by their husbands. Neither Desdemona or Emilia are listened to. They both do what they are told, both husbands Iago and Othello use imperatives when speaking to their wives, shows the extent of patriarchal society. Othello’s Vulnerability He is inexperienced in dealing with conflict in his private life. He may be a great soldier who can fight and solve physical threats but he has no emotional strength. This makes Iago’s evil plan easier to put in action. He internalises self hatred due to the subtle racism he feels culturally and personally amongst Venetian society. Conflict Love and War is at conflict, Othello is unable to make his mind up, he loves Desdemona but his sense of self respect diminishes as he feels ’cuckolded’. He turns from a romantic hero to a jealous and violent revenger. His sense of love and hate is at conflict. The Handkerchief The handkerchief is used as a symbol of Desdemona's love. This motif plays an important part in triggering Othello’s jealousy as he is a soldier, he believes in what he sees, he needs the ocular proof of Desdemona’s adultery. This symbol of purity and love becomes a sinister object connoting hatred and jealousy. The token of love becomes a symbol of destruction. Therefore it plays a significant role in creating a sense of tragedy in Othello.
  • 17. Act 3 Scene 4 • Desdemona asks the Clown to inform Cassio that she has pleaded for him. • She is uneasy about loosing the handkerchief. • She tries again to promote Cassio’s cause • Othello is angry, believes Desdemona has lost the handkerchief. • Emilia and Desdemona have a conversation about Othello’s jealousy • Bianca is annoyed with Cassio because he hasn’t visited her in a week. He gives her the handkerchief that he found in his chamber. Key Notes: • The handkerchief becomes an ominous symbol of Desdemona’s suspected adultery and the whole plot hangs on it. It represents different things for each character. • Othello becomes more and more aggressive • The character of Bianca is introduced as Cassio’s loving/prostitute partner. • Desdemona becomes the victim of all characters. Even the Clown misunderstands her, Emilia and Cassio use her for their own gain. She is powerless and alone. • In RSC 2015 production Desdemona is very playful and sexually suggestive towards Othello’s temper, which heightens his jealousy even more.
  • 18. Act 3 Scene 4 Quotes Analysis • ‘my noble Moor is true of mind’ possessive determiner Desdemona loves and believes in Othello, she thinks he could not possibly be jealous. • ‘the sun where he was born drew all such humours from him’ She links his romanticism with his skin colour and culture. Desdemona truly believes Othello is a perfect man. • ‘There’s magic in the web of it’ Othello’s becomes suspicious of everything. The ‘magic’ so to speak could be seen as the power the handkerchief has over the characters of the play, and that Desdemona’s life simply depends on its existence. • ‘my lord is not my lord’ parallel syntax, Desdemona realises there’s something wrong with her husband, but still does not suspect it is jealousy • ‘They are all but stomachs, we all but food/ They eat us hungerly, and when they are full/ They belch us’ metaphor, Emilia suggests that women are constantly used by their husbands for selfish reasons. Considering the three women in the play all are devoted and loving towards their partners emphasise the ideal for femininity, women are pure, loving and giving whilst their husbands/lovers mistreat them throughout the play. • ‘It is a monster/ Begot upon itself, born on itself.’ metaphor, the idea of jealousy being a monster is repeated a considerable amount of times throughout the play • ‘my most fair Bianca’ Cassio uses possessive determiner showing his affection • ‘Go to woman!’ imperative, Cassio is just like other men in the play, he is selfish and commanding when it comes to love • ‘Not that I love you not’ Cassio uses inverted syntax to describe his love which suggests he does not want to love Bianca because she is a prostitute. Prostitutes were seen in Elizabethan England as non marriage material and certainly disloyal. Cassio likes spending time with Bianca but also is trying to live up to societal norms, does not want to be seen with Bianca in public.
  • 19. Act 4 Scene 1 • Iago torments Othello with crude images of Desdemona’s infidelity and references to the handkerchief which results in Othello fainting in a fit. • Othello wakes and then hides to watch Cassio’s conversation with Iago. • Othello misunderstands Cassio’s words about Bianca, and thinks he is speaking of Desdemona. • He sees Bianca with the handkerchief and vows to murder his wife. • Venetian visitors bring news that Cassio is to replace Othello. • Othello strikes Desdemona in front of Venetian guests Key notes: • The verbal and physical violence in this scene foreshadows the murders to come. • Othello sees the soon to come murder as ‘justice’. • Othello becomes the black stereotype, savage and ungentlemanly by showing violence towards his wife in public. • In Shakespearean England domestic violence was frowned upon by the elite of society, especially if in public. But lower class women were subject to domestic abuse frequently at this time. • Othello's degradation worsens, in spite the verbal and physical violence there is much pathos in this scene as Othello is making the decision to kill the woman he truly loves. • Othello has reached rock bottom and ruines his reputation by the end of this scene. • Critic G.K. Hunter says Iago wants to prove that black men are evil, he is prejudiced.
  • 20. Act 4 Scene 1 Quotes Analysis • ‘Lie with her? Lie on her?’ interrogative, Othello starts to look to Iago for answers to every question. • ‘A horned man’s a monster and a beast’ Indirect simile. Othello is trying to justify his anger and barbarity. • ‘how shall I murder him Iago?’ He’s lost self control, becomes Iago’s puppet. Asks Iago for approval on everything. • ‘A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!’ pathos, a-syndetic list, exclamatory mood. Othello is confused with anger and love, he is in a state of frustration, this foreshadows how Othello kills Desdemona from loving her too much. • ‘O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear!’ metaphor, exclamatory sees himself as a bear for being so savage in self denial • ‘I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me!’ violent imagery, selfishness • ‘…even the bed she hath contaminated’ past tense dynamic verb, irony because Iago is the one contaminating Othello’s mind • ‘Devil!’ Othello becomes very insulting and barbaric with his words also begins using exclamatory and interrogative mood a lot emphasising his jealousy and insanity. He is questioning everything • ‘What! Strike his wife!’ Ludovico is concerned and shocked at Othello’s un-courtly behaviour. Further Analysis: Iago torments Othello’s mind with crude imagery of Desdemona’s infidelity and Desdemona becomes the victim as Othello finally confronts her and insults her violently in front of elite Venetians. Othello becomes barbaric and violent /he is suffering seriously from jealousy. Othello’s hamartia has poisoned his actions and thoughts, with the help of Iago’s evil. Iago is in full control of Othello’s emotions and actions. He can make Othello do what he says. Othello becomes reliant on Iago for support and decision making. However we must remember the play’s original title was ‘The tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice’ which suggests that even though Desdemona is the victim of jealousy, Shakespeare sees Othello as the victim, he suffers from Iago’s evil actions.
  • 21. Act 4 Scene 2 • Othello questions Emilia but does not believe her when she says Desdemona is true. • Othello confronts Desdemona • Othello offers Emilia money to tell him • Desdemona appeals to Iago for help • Iago persuades Roderigo to help kill Cassio Key Notes • Even though Othello speaks at a measured tone he is at war with him self and uses repeated contrasting images. • Uses 3rd person when talking about himself showing the distance between the pair. • Both females tell the truth but are ignored or abused for doing so. • Both are called ‘whore’ repeatedly by their husbands. Even though they tell the truth and defend each other. • Desdemona is bewildered by her husbands treatment. • She looks for excuses for his behaviour which shows her eternal love for him. It also demonstrates Desdemona’s forgiving nature and death. She blames herself for Othello murdering her.
  • 22. Act 4 Scene 2 Quotes Analysis • ‘Your wife my lord, your true and loyal wife’ Desdemona still uses possessive pronoun to show her affection and respect to her husband despite his unkindness. • ‘…thou art false as hell’ simile • ‘strumpet!’ exclamatory mood, Othello speaks with emotion, he is driven by anger and jealousy and has lost his rationality. • ‘O, heaven forgive us!’ Desdemona is religious and believes that a husband and wife having quarrels is something sinful. She is pure and naive • ‘I am a Christian’ • ‘…some eternal villain,/ some busy and insinuating rogue,/ some cogging, cozening slave’ parallel syntax, pre modifiers, alliteration, ironically Emilia is speaking of Iago without knowing that he is the one causing the jealousy in Othello. • ‘…hell gnaw his bones!’ imagery of hell, Emilia loves Desdemona and wants revenge. It foreshadows how she gives up on her husband and her life to do the right thing by telling the truth at the end. • ‘…his unkindness may defeat my life,/ But never taint my love.’ Desdemona is foreshadowing her own death in which her last words suggest she does not blame her murderer.
  • 23. Act 4 Scene 3 • Othello sends Desdemona to prepare for bed. • The two females Desdemona and Emilia discuss infidelity • Desdemona sings the Willow Song Key Notes: • In this scene the audience is invited to compare the two females views on the events. • Desdemona is melancholic, she believes Othello does not love her. • Like her husband Emilia has a cynical view of human relationships she holds a pragmatic approach to sin. • In Renaissance society the symbol of the ring was that of female chastity reminding us f the double standards of Shakespeare’s time, when codes for sexual conduct were very different for each gender. • Emilia says she wishes Desdemona had never met Othello. It is appropriate that a woman accuses and condemns Desdemona’s abusers. • Emilia offers a realistic description of marriage. Many of her ideas will strike a chord with modern audiences used to gender equality. • It is unusual for Shakespeare to give a large chunk of this scene for the discussion of sexual politics, especially before the conclusion of the play. It could be said that the monarchy in England effected the public perception of womanhood as England was reigned by a woman; Queen Elizabeth. Therefore women in Othello are loving and respectful despite their flaws as Queen Elizabeth was well loved during this era, and Shakespeare would have had respect for her. The Willow Song: The quiet ending of this scene, and the melancholy of the song foreshadows the brutal murder to come in the act. The Willow Tree symbolises weeping and grief as well as having connotations of women grieving over lost love.
  • 24. Act 4 Scene 3 Quotes Analysis • ‘I would you had never seen him’ Emilia wishes Desdemona had never met Othello, which suggests they go back far in their friendship. • ‘…there be women do abuse their husbands/In such gross kind?’ interrogative Desdemona is questioning infidelity, she cannot make sense that women do such things to their husbands. Emilia has a different point of view. • ‘I do think it is their husbands faults/ If wives do fall’ metaphor Emilia suggests that it is the man’s fault if the woman decides to cuckold him. • ‘Let husbands know their wives have sense like them’
  • 25. Act 5 Scene 1 • Roderigo tries to wound Cassio but instead Cassio wounds him. • Iago stabs Cassio in the leg, Othello hears cries, believes Cassio has been killed and is spurred on to his own revenge. • Iago kills Roderigo. • Bianca appears, Iago accuses her in planning to kill Cassio. • Roderigo’s body is discovered Iago sends Emilia to inform Othello and Desdemona. Key Notes: • Iago calls Roderigo a ‘young quat’ showing his disrespect and carelessness with human life. • Iago seeks to destroy human virtue • The setting in both the exposition and conclusion of the play mirror each other. • The language Othello uses in Act 4 and 5 are violent which could stop the audience from sympathising with him. • Bianca’s love for Cassio is honest but she suffers for it, just like Desdemona suffers for her honest love. • The way Bianca is abused and suffers mirrors Desdemona’s downfall. • It could be argued that love makes women helpless victims in this play. • Othello is ultimately an onlooker who fails to see the truth. His misunderstanding spurs Ohtello into jealousy. • Othello is not taking responsibility for his actions, he refers tohimself in third person to distance himself from what he is about to commit. He claims its Desdemona’s unblessed faith and that her murder is a sacrifice.
  • 26. Act 5 Scene 1 analysis • ‘Every way makes my gain’ indefinite pronoun suggests whoever dies it is going to be of use to Iago’s evil plan • ‘O brave Iago, honest and just,’ mirrors what Roderigo says at the end of this scene. • ‘Thy bed lust stained, shall with lust’s blood be spotted.’ personification of lust as a living monster • ‘O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!’ exclamatory, Roderigo is Iago’s victim • ‘…my sweet Cassio’ possessive determiner suggests Bianca’s true and honest love, however this contrasts with what Iago says straight after. • ‘O notable strumpet!’ exclamatory, Iago’s hatred for love and its purity is emphasised as he frowns in disgust at Bianca’s nurturing love • ‘…this trash’ calls Bianca an inanimate object • ‘I am no strumpet, but of life as honest/As you that thus abuse me.’ simile Bianca is trying to be understood for the human being she is. She is constantly ridiculed and marginalised in society because she is a prostitute. In Elizabethan society prostitution was the lowest job for a woman, and also one of the only jobs. Prostitutes were outcasts of society and would be abused and murder victims in many cases.
  • 27. Act 5 Scene 2 • As Desdemona sleeps Othello explains how he will kill her, then kisses her which wakes her up • Desdemona weeps when told Cassio is dead, which makes Othello even more jealous • Othello smothers her • Emilia walks in then Othello explains why he killed Desdemona calmly which Emilia responds in insults. • Emilia fetches Montano, Gratiano and Iago. • Iago denies Emilia’s accusations of villainy and repeatedly tells her to go home and shut up • Iago stabs Emilia, Othello realising Iago’s plots wounds Iago and kills himself. Key Notes: • Othello denies killing Desdemona at first, and then describes the necessity and sacrificial elements of her murder. • Desdemona tries to preserve Othello’s good reputation even on her death bed. • Tragic imagery, Othello is obsessed with his masculine identity, wants to be ‘an honourable murderer’ ironically • When he finds out the truth he believes he deserves the torments of hell. • Emilia is the hero in this scene. She sacrifices her life to speak the truth. She is constantly told by her husband to shut up and leave but she stays and denounces the truth. • Its ironic that 'honest’ Iago is destroyed by his wife's real honesty • Emilia’s true friendship and loyalty to Desdemona adds pathos to the scene, she also sings the willow song which emphasises the tragedy • Othello feels remorse in his final speech and uses metaphorical language and simile’s to emphasise the strong regret he is feeling.
  • 28. Act 5 Scene 2 Analysis • ‘…that whiter skin of hers than snow.’ comparative and simile suggest Othello is still in love with Desdemona • ‘this sorrow’s heavenly’ oxymoron • ‘a sacrifice’ indefinite article • ‘sweet revenge grows harsh’ oxymoron • ‘Nobody-myself-farewell.’ • ‘O, the more angel she,/And you the blacker devil!’ comparatives • ‘thou art a devil.’ • ‘That’s he that was Othello: here I am’ self betreyal, thrid person pronoun distances himself from murder. • ‘ I will not charm my tongue’ modal auxillary verbs suggest Emilia is ready to fight for the truth she is done with Iago’s evil lies and abuse. • ‘I will ne’er go home.’ Emilia stands up for herself she is determinet to speak the truth and even die for it. • ‘Villainous whore!’ Irony, Iago is villainous, Emilia is pure • ‘tis happiness to die.’ • ‘an honourable murderer’
  • 29. Points for introductions, conclusions and context • Written in 1603-4 • Its beauty derives from the characters of the hero and the heroine, from the unique and intense nature of their love for each other. • There is an anticipation of disaster that commences in the opening scene and intensifies throughout the play. • Othello’s transformation in character is what makes it a tragedy as Iago destroys everything good about himself and his marriage. • We must remember that this is a tragedy and not a problem play on such issues as racial prejudice, gender relations and the pathology of violence although it clearly involves these matters. • It is also Othello’s tragedy not that of the innocent Desdemona, even though she is the victim. • Malignancy of Iago destroys their love • The greatness and goodness of Othello, his achievements in his profession and his personal life his intense happiness is swiftly and utterly undone. • He sinks from the height of human excellence into the very baseness of human nature. • This transformation of Othello’s character is what creates the tragedy.
  • 30. Othello as a character • There is a tragic focus on the moor, his degradation, his despair and his colour are a part of the tragedy. • Shakespeare has given the protagonist a unique and musical name that introduces him as an exotic stranger and romantic gentleman. His idiosyncratic speech style gives him a very unique effect as a character. • ‘The Moor of Venice’ this defines him as a paradox, Two opposing cultures are conjoined through Othello’s name as belonging to Venice, and also through his marriage to Desdemona. • Venice was the epitome of Western civilisation. • The word Moor was used to describe anybody non-white and non-western. Such as Turks, Blacks there was no distinction made between these cultures. • The racist Iago reduces Othello to the stereotypical barbarian with savage instincts. • Othello remarks bitterly in the last Scene, ‘That’s he that was Othello: here I am’, total self betrayal • Venetian’s identify him as the base ‘other’. Not once in the play is he referred to as Othello or the General. In Act 1, Iago and Roderigo stir up a racist feeling in Brabantio towards Othello, despite his apparent friendliness towards the Moor, he was happy to entertain him but his daughters sexual union with the black man as imaged by Iago now horrifies the senator.
  • 31. • At first Othello is a attractive and noble character. He portrays dignity, courage and charm through his blank verses and unmoved tone of voice. His love for Desdemona shows depth and quality and he appreciates her incomparable worth, not once is he sexually crude or disrespectful, he loves her for who she is. • Othello in Act 1 comes across as a true romantic, he firmly establishes the romantic hero archetype. He is compellingly strange and attractive and fulfils the Elizabethan ideal of a poetic gentleman. • He is the ideal of the hero or complete man: valiant but eloquent, modest, gifted with the power to disarm, move and persuade others through the witchcraft of his tongue. • Othello is portrayed as the archetypal hero, the community depends on him he is it’s protector and saviour. The unfallen Othello conforms to this hero figure more than any other Shakespearian protagonist. • He immediately rebukes himself for indulging in his own happiness after meeting Desdemona in Cyprus. Forgetting the ship’s master ; he askes him to be fetched and escorted to the citadel. His generous nature makes him a true hero • For Othello love and duty are frequently at odds, but Othello keeps a harmonious relation between the two. • He will not let love to conflict with his ‘serious and great business’ as military governor of the island. • These are few details that establish Shakespeare’s conception of Othello as a man of exceptional and innate nobility despite his background and skin colour.