Othello

Othello

1. Shakespeare

2. Critical Interpretations

3. Context

4. Language

5. Structure

6. Genre

7. Themes

   • Jealousy
     • It is a form of tyranny in Othello
       • Destroys: love, hunour and nobility
       • Makes the male protagonist murderous and violet
     • Destructive
       • Iago continues plotting against Cassio to ruin his career and Othello's happiness
       • Othello's jealous thoughts are characterised by refernce to acts of violence against Desdemona.
         • Causing him to destroy his marriage, Kill his wife and eventually kill himself
         • Othello says : "tear her all to pieces!" (Act3.3.434)
         • Othello: "chop her into messes " (Act 4.1.197)

8. Characters

   • Othello
     • A Venetian general sent to Cyprus to stop Turkish Invaders
     • AO4: Hamartia: Jealousy/ Black Race/ Love for Desdemona
     • AO4: Tragic Protagonist
     • AO3: Othello is the first Moor who is a tragic heo in the Jacobean drama
     • Remains popular because of the "noble moor" is traditional/ unique tragic hero
     • AO4: Othello is brought down by his hubris
   • Desdemona
   • Iago

9. Synopsis

   • Acts
     • Act 1
     • Act 2
     • Act 3
     • Act 4
     • Act 5

10. Introducing Othello

    • 1st performed in early 1600's
    • A03: In Shakespeare's London, there was between 5-8 theatres open at once. Audience figures: 18,000-24,000
    • A03: 1st play that dealas with racism. Unacceptable to society norms

11. AO's:

    • AO1
    • AO2
    • AO3
    • AO4
    • AO5
    • Quotes