Othello - Genre

Othello - Genre

1. Tragedy

   • Othello is an atypical tragedy in that is based on domestic events between Othello and Desdemona rather than the fall of kinds or 'great men and nations'
   • Othello is influenced by Revenge Tragedy, although the evil revenger, Iago, does not die, as would be expected
   • Othello is influenced by the conventions of Greek tragedy: for example, the play is based on conflict and the protagonist's errors of judgement
   • The ending of the play evokes the emotions that Aristotle said tragedy should evoke: pity and fear

2. Structure

   • The structure of the play includes important examples of repetition: for example, Iago repeatedly poisons Othello's mind in long exchanges
   • The structure of the play relies on mirroring for its dramatic impact: for example, Bianca's sexual jealousy mirrors Othello's
   • Venice frames the action in Cyprus: the play opens and closes with the Venetian state exercising its power and defining Othello's character
   • The play is structured so that Iago seems to be stage managing events; his soliloquies give us insight into how he directs what happens

3. Iago's speech style

   • Iago speaks over one third of the lines in the play, showing how dominant he is as the villain
   • Iago adapts his style to suit his purposes: for example insults to cast suspicion on Bianca, a parody of the language of love to hoodwink Othello
   • Iago's soliloquies are characterised by images of evil, poison and infection
   • Iago's vulgar and racist use of language to describe Othello in act 1 scene 1 reflects his true character

4. Othello's speech style

   • 'Valiant' Othello's poetic speech style is characterised by his use of measured blank verse
   • Othello uses military imagery when he talks about losing his love, for example 'Othello's occupation's gone'(lll.3.360)
   • Othello uses disjointed prose and a third person viewpoint when his mind if poisoned by Iago
   • Othello's speech is full of violent and bloody imagery when he seeks revenge on Desdemona and Cassio

5. Imagery

   • The battle between good and evil is dramatized by using images of light and dark
   • The images of jealousy make it clear that is an irrational and monstrous force
   • The imagery used to describe Desdemona often objectifies her as a precious, beautiful possession
   • The images of animals used throughout the play chart the progress of Iago's evil and Othello's downfall