OTHELLO RECONTEXTUALISED

OTHELLO RECONTEXTUALISED

1. MENTAL HEALTH: a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.

   • Is Iago real?
     • Schizophrenia?
     • Is Iago in Cassio's conscience?
     • Does Iago carry out what Othello subconsciously wants to happen?
   • Othello identified as mentally unstable
   • Iago brings out Othello's self esteem issues
   • "You or any man may be drunk! at a time man" -Iago
   • Acceptance/stigma surrounding mental health
   • Current focus of mental health within society
   • Iago represents the constant level of madness within society
     • Iago is the voice of anxiety
       • Is Iago Othello's conscience?
     • Does Iago represent the human condition? Truth? Honesty?
   • Iago plays with other characters minds, finds insecurities. He acts as 'the voice' described by victims of depression
   • Cassio is seen as loyal, brave, unbreakable. alcohol is a weakness. He losses himself (identity) when intoxicated.
     • Weaknesses played
   • Multiple personality disorder?
   • Bipolar?

2. PREJUDICE: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.

   • Othello is expected to be loud, rude, aggressive etc. however we are met with calm façade
   • Misengenation
     • Unexpected age/race companionship
       • Sugar Daddy?
   • Male characters assume all women are promicuous
     • Modern day bullying
       • Skanks, sluts etc.
       • Othello is accused of witchcraft and magic
       • Racism
         • "The moor"
       • Cyber bullying
   • Brabantio is more concerned with the fact that Othello is black rather than his daughter getting married
   • Animalism
     • Asses, old black ram etc.
     • Identifying as animal, not human
   • Labels
     • Othello is only refered to by pejorative tones in the opening scenes
       • He remains unnamed throughout the opening scenes
   • Jealousy

3. GENDER WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS: the state of being male or female (typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones).

   • Reversed stereotypical gender roles
     • Cheating female
   • Iago's sexuality is questioned
     • Does Iago sabotage Othello's relationship to be with him?
     • Legalisation of gay marriage
     • "I lay with Cassio lately" -Iago
   • Misogynism
     • Male supremacist
     • Again enforcing the implication of homosexuality
   • All three women are accused of sexual infedilety
   • Othello is confident within politics and war
     • Lacks confidence within relationships and emotions
   • Does the handkerchief symbolise 100% of the trust in the relationship?
     • All or nothing relationship
     • Same symbolism as a wedding ring?
   • Emotional abuse
     • Manipulation

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