Othello

1
Othello

• One of 4 great Shakespearean tragedies
• Focuses on personal, not public life
• Probably first presented in 1604

2
Jealousy

• The jealous are possessed by a mad devil and a
  dull spirit at the same time. Johann Kaspar
  Lavater Jealousy had a taste, all right. A
  bitter and tongue-stinging flavor, like a peach
  pit.-- Dolores HitchensPure love and suspicion
  cannot dwell together at the door where the
  latter enters, the former makes its exit.
  Alexandre Dumas

3
Lack of trust

• Trustcement that holds relationships together.
• Jealousy is a virulent form of interpersonal
  distrust/
• Lack of trust is implicit in Othellos situation
  from outset of play.
• Othello is isolated from the world.

4
Othello

• Story of great mans fall into the barbarism of
  human nature
• Alteration from a noble lover to a raving killer.
• Based on Italian novella.

5
Major themes

• Love, jealousy, lack of trust, and revenge.
• Struggle between good/evil within the human soul
• Need for self-control
• Need for ocular proof
• Racism
• Reality/Illusion

6
Othello

• Moorish general--Arab
• Exotic, from a foreign land
• Racially different from English.
• Earliest black character in English literature
  with a sympathetic personality

7
Othello

• Romantic and heroic warrior
• Frank and honest
• Magnanimous soldier
• Dedicated to unquestioned code of conduct
• Reputation as great military leader
• A complete man

8
Othello

• Self-controlled
• Sure of himself
• Exotic
• From a fascinating and mysterious land
• Weakness is his jealousy/inability to trust
• Easily deceivedwhy does he believe Iago? Why is
  he deceived?

9
Othello

• Importance of being an outsider
• Naïve
• Soldier who cannot understand world outside
  military
• Tragic hero (handout)

10
Desdemona

• Daughter of Brabantio, a senator in Venice
• Idealistic, romantic
• Younger than Othello
• Loves Othello completely and is loyal to him
• Touchstoneeach character can be judged by his
  attitude toward her

11
Iago

• Modern devil
• Truly evil man
• Villain of play
• Sees others as victims or tools
• Malcontent
• Jealous of Cassio
• Destroys Othello

12
Iago

• Classic Renaissance atheistan intelligent man
  who finds pleasure in the corruption of the
  virtuous and the abuse of the pliable.
• He believes all can be duped and destroyed.
• Othello, a good man out of his cultural element,
  is his perfect target.
• Iago is the stage manager of the whole action.
• Proceeds by plot and innuendo creates web of
  circumstantial evidence.

13
Setting--Venice
14
Venice

• Venice was seen as a place known for its
  cultured, sophisticated society. Super-civilized.
• Had a reputation for intrigue and connivance.
• Duke had control of Venice.
• Fairness in Venice
• Place of trade/business. Known for its wealth and
  power.

15
Change in setting

• VeniceCyprus
• War as a setting (Iliad)
• Change in cities affects character how?

16
Plot

• Double time. Could the events of the play occur
  in time given? Intense concentration of events.
  
• Considered to be Shakespeares most unified play.
  No subplots.