Othello Character Othello.

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Othello Othello Character Character Othello Othello

description

Act 2 scene 1 Othello seems happy. Choose a quote from II.i.176-186 He thinks that “our wars are done”.

Transcript of Othello Character Othello.

Page 1: Othello Character Othello.

OthelloOthello

CharacterCharacterOthelloOthello

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Act 2 scene 1Act 2 scene 1Othello seems happy.Othello seems happy.Choose a quote from II.i.176-186Choose a quote from II.i.176-186He thinks that “our wars are done”.He thinks that “our wars are done”.

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Act 2 Scene 3Act 2 Scene 3 Iago has incited a fight between Cassio Iago has incited a fight between Cassio

and Roderigoand Roderigo In Act 1 he calmly denounces violence: In Act 1 he calmly denounces violence:

“Keep up your bright swords”“Keep up your bright swords”Here he reacts angrilyHere he reacts angrilyHe compares them to ‘Turks’ and He compares them to ‘Turks’ and

‘Ottomites’‘Ottomites’And feels ‘Christian shame’ at their And feels ‘Christian shame’ at their

behaviourbehaviourThe move to Cyprus has changed The move to Cyprus has changed

OthelloOthello

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He demands explanation: “Give me He demands explanation: “Give me answer to it” (180)answer to it” (180)

But the explanation makes him But the explanation makes him furiousfurious

““My blood begins my safer guides to My blood begins my safer guides to rulerule” (189)” (189)

He thinks he may “He thinks he may “but lift this arm”but lift this arm” – – a threat of possible violencea threat of possible violence

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OthelloOthello

Character DevelopmentCharacter Development

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First ActFirst ActWhat is Othello like?What is Othello like?Does he have any faults or Does he have any faults or

weaknesses?weaknesses?

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Act 2 Scene 1Act 2 Scene 1Show how in love he is with Show how in love he is with

Desdemona when he is reunited with Desdemona when he is reunited with herher

““My fair warrior!”My fair warrior!”Comment on thisComment on thisHe feels extremely happy, ironically He feels extremely happy, ironically

saying saying “If it were now to die, ‘Twere “If it were now to die, ‘Twere to be most happy”to be most happy”

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Act 2 Scene 3Act 2 Scene 3Othello again shows his trust of Iago: Othello again shows his trust of Iago:

“Iago is most honest”“Iago is most honest”He wants to protect Desdemona from He wants to protect Desdemona from

the ugly, violent brawl: “All’s well the ugly, violent brawl: “All’s well now, sweeting; come away to bed” now, sweeting; come away to bed” (2.3.236)(2.3.236)

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Act 3 Scene 3 – Key SceneAct 3 Scene 3 – Key Scene

Iago says when Cassio leaves Desdemona: Iago says when Cassio leaves Desdemona: ““Ha! I like not that.”Ha! I like not that.”

(3.3.35) Here he starts putting his plan into (3.3.35) Here he starts putting his plan into action.action.

Othello is still kind and gentle with Othello is still kind and gentle with Desdemona (3.3.56). When he agrees to Desdemona (3.3.56). When he agrees to speak to Cassio “The sooner, sweet, for you”speak to Cassio “The sooner, sweet, for you”

Desdemona shows her compassion and Desdemona shows her compassion and kindness in trying to get Cassio reinstated: kindness in trying to get Cassio reinstated: “Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul.”“Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul.”

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He seems busy and preoccupied with his He seems busy and preoccupied with his responsibilities: “leave me but a little to responsibilities: “leave me but a little to myself”. myself”.

Calls Desdemona “Excellent wretch!” Calls Desdemona “Excellent wretch!” affectionately.affectionately.

“…“…when I love thee notwhen I love thee not Chaos is come again” Chaos is come again” This shows that without Desdemona he is This shows that without Desdemona he is

unhappy. D seems to have saved him from a unhappy. D seems to have saved him from a life of trauma and turmoil.life of trauma and turmoil.

Iago withholds enough to intrigue and frustrate Iago withholds enough to intrigue and frustrate Othello: “Why of thy thought, Iago?…Is he not Othello: “Why of thy thought, Iago?…Is he not honest?”honest?”

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(3.3.107-116)(3.3.107-116)“…“…a monster in his thoughta monster in his thoughtToo hideous to be shown”Too hideous to be shown” Jealousy – a monsterJealousy – a monsterThere is painful dramatic irony in There is painful dramatic irony in

Othello saying “I know thou’rt full of Othello saying “I know thou’rt full of love and honesty”. love and honesty”.

Iago avoiding a direct answer is Iago avoiding a direct answer is compared to how “a false disloyal compared to how “a false disloyal knave” would avoid telling the truth.knave” would avoid telling the truth.

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Othello gathers himself and says that he will Othello gathers himself and says that he will not be plagued by jealousy as it is against not be plagued by jealousy as it is against his character: “I’ll see before I doubt; when I his character: “I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove…Away at once with love or doubt, prove…Away at once with love or jealousy!” (192-194)jealousy!” (192-194)

Iago tells him to keep an eye on DesdemonaIago tells him to keep an eye on Desdemona But Othello says that he will stay calm and But Othello says that he will stay calm and

this will bother him “Not a jot”this will bother him “Not a jot” He is trying to convince himself as much as He is trying to convince himself as much as

IagoIago

OthelloOthello

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Othello’s soliloquy (260-279)Othello’s soliloquy (260-279) He compares Desdemona to a “haggard” - a He compares Desdemona to a “haggard” - a

wild hawk. If he cannot train her or control wild hawk. If he cannot train her or control her he will let her go.her he will let her go.

He wonders if the problem is “Haply for I am He wonders if the problem is “Haply for I am black”black”

This is the first time he has doubted himself This is the first time he has doubted himself because of his racebecause of his race

Or age: “I am declin’d into the vale of years”Or age: “I am declin’d into the vale of years” He simply states: “She’s gone, I am abus’d , He simply states: “She’s gone, I am abus’d ,

and my relief Must be to loathe her”and my relief Must be to loathe her” His imagery is ugly and crude saying he His imagery is ugly and crude saying he

would “rather be a toad and live upon the would “rather be a toad and live upon the vapour of a dungeon” than a married man. vapour of a dungeon” than a married man.

He repeats the idea of a “plague”He repeats the idea of a “plague”

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Othello is disregarding his public duties as Othello is disregarding his public duties as his guests wait for himhis guests wait for him

He is snappy and abrupt with Desdemona. He is snappy and abrupt with Desdemona. It is at this moment he drops his It is at this moment he drops his

handkerchiefhandkerchief Next time we see Othello his language has Next time we see Othello his language has

deteriorated: “ha, ha, false to me!” (3.3.334)deteriorated: “ha, ha, false to me!” (3.3.334) He says that Iago’s information “hast set me He says that Iago’s information “hast set me

on the rack” - a torture instrumenton the rack” - a torture instrument Now he speaks of her in a crude way, saying Now he speaks of her in a crude way, saying

he would rather all of the soldiers had slept he would rather all of the soldiers had slept with her as long as he did not know: “I had with her as long as he did not know: “I had been happy if the general camp…had tasted been happy if the general camp…had tasted her sweet body So nothing I had known”her sweet body So nothing I had known”

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Shakespeare uses repetition of “Farewell” to Shakespeare uses repetition of “Farewell” to show that he is saying goodbye to happiness show that he is saying goodbye to happiness and contentment. (346-357)and contentment. (346-357)

But he focuses on losing his “occupation” and But he focuses on losing his “occupation” and talks in military image. It seems that he does talks in military image. It seems that he does not have the vocabulary to express his not have the vocabulary to express his emotions.emotions.

““Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore” Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore” - he threatens Iago.- he threatens Iago.

““I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;I think that thou art just, and think thou art notI think that thou art just, and think thou art not”” Paradox expresses the chaos in his mindParadox expresses the chaos in his mind

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Othello’s’ rage makes him violent: Othello’s’ rage makes him violent: “I’ll tear her all to pieces!”“I’ll tear her all to pieces!”

When Iago says that he has seen When Iago says that he has seen Cassio with the handkerchief Othello Cassio with the handkerchief Othello swears “revenge” swears “revenge”

He wants all his love to disappear “to He wants all his love to disappear “to heaven” (441-451)heaven” (441-451)

And in its place calls “Arise, black And in its place calls “Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!”vengeance, from thy hollow cell!”

This is similar to Iago’s words at the This is similar to Iago’s words at the end of Act One.end of Act One.

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Noticeably ‘Noticeably ‘He kneels’. He kneels’. The power The power relationship has changed between relationship has changed between Iago and Othello.Iago and Othello.

He promotes Iago and tells him he He promotes Iago and tells him he wants him to kill Cassio.wants him to kill Cassio.

Othello exclaims “O blood, blood, Othello exclaims “O blood, blood, blood!”blood!”

O compares his mind to the Black Sea O compares his mind to the Black Sea and his “bloody thoughts” to an “icy and his “bloody thoughts” to an “icy current”current”

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Act 3 Scene 4Act 3 Scene 4

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Desdemona: Desdemona: “my noble Moor is true “my noble Moor is true of mind and made of no such of mind and made of no such baseness as jealous creatures are”baseness as jealous creatures are”

Dramatic irony – she defends him to Dramatic irony – she defends him to Emilia. She thinks Othello is Emilia. She thinks Othello is reasonable, not ruled by emotionsreasonable, not ruled by emotions

Accusations from Othello: “Accusations from Othello: “This hand This hand is moist” (32)is moist” (32)

““here’s a young and sweating devil”here’s a young and sweating devil”

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Othello’s language is full of double Othello’s language is full of double meanings: meanings:

““liberal heart”liberal heart” - generous and free, - generous and free, immoralimmoral

Contrast with the first ActContrast with the first ActHer hand is Her hand is “frank”“frank” - honest, - honest,

revealingrevealing

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Othello talks of how precious the Othello talks of how precious the handkerchief is. It was a gift from his handkerchief is. It was a gift from his mother. He seems to be slipping into mother. He seems to be slipping into superstition, talking of a superstition, talking of a “charmer“ “charmer“ ,“,“spirits” spirits” and and “magic” “magic” (52-(52-64)64)

Look at the exchange in lines 71-81. Look at the exchange in lines 71-81. How does Shakespeare convey the How does Shakespeare convey the conflict between Desdemona and conflict between Desdemona and Othello?Othello?

Othello pressures D. Does not really Othello pressures D. Does not really give her a chance to speakgive her a chance to speak

Desdemona gets defensiveDesdemona gets defensiveThey don’t speak honestly – the They don’t speak honestly – the

relationship is breaking downrelationship is breaking down

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Act 4 Scene 1Act 4 Scene 1

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Iago plays another role. He tries to dissuade Iago plays another role. He tries to dissuade Othello from overreactingOthello from overreacting

Othello : “Othello : “O it comes o’er my memory, as doth O it comes o’er my memory, as doth the raven o’er the infected house”the raven o’er the infected house”

The raven is a symbol of death and diseaseThe raven is a symbol of death and disease ForeshadowingForeshadowing Look at Othello’s speech in lines 35-43. How Look at Othello’s speech in lines 35-43. How

does Shakespeare use language to portray his does Shakespeare use language to portray his state of mind?state of mind?

He is speaking in prose. He can’t form sentences He is speaking in prose. He can’t form sentences – “Noses, ears and lips,” “Handkerchief – – “Noses, ears and lips,” “Handkerchief – confessions – handkerchief.” Minor sentencesconfessions – handkerchief.” Minor sentences

Stage direction: Stage direction: “He falls in a trance”“He falls in a trance” Othello is physically affected by his emotionsOthello is physically affected by his emotions

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Iago fools Othello by talking to Cassio Iago fools Othello by talking to Cassio about a prostitute he visits called about a prostitute he visits called BiancaBianca

Look at Othello’s speeches in lines Look at Othello’s speeches in lines 168-210 (p96-8) How does he talk 168-210 (p96-8) How does he talk about Desdemona?about Desdemona?

““a sweet woman!” – bitter, sarcastica sweet woman!” – bitter, sarcastic““I will chop into messes.”I will chop into messes.”Thinks killing her is “justice”Thinks killing her is “justice”

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Othello is now completely in Iago’s Othello is now completely in Iago’s hands - agreeing to suffocate her in hands - agreeing to suffocate her in her “contaminated” bedher “contaminated” bed

Othello is completely unreasonable Othello is completely unreasonable with Desdemona, striking her and with Desdemona, striking her and shouting at her shouting at her

Notably Desdemona responds Notably Desdemona responds without anger: “sweet Othello”, “I without anger: “sweet Othello”, “I have not deserv’d this”have not deserv’d this”

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Lodovico says that “this would not be Lodovico says that “this would not be believed in Venice”believed in Venice”

Look at Othello’s speech in lines 250-Look at Othello’s speech in lines 250-261. 261.

The word “turn” has a double meaningThe word “turn” has a double meaningHis sentences are broken up with His sentences are broken up with

pauses pauses Repetition is now used to show the Repetition is now used to show the

obsessions in his mind and to allow him obsessions in his mind and to allow him to explore words’ double meanings: to explore words’ double meanings: “obedient”, “weep”“obedient”, “weep”

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Act 4 Scene 2Act 4 Scene 2

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Othello refuses to believe what Emilia Othello refuses to believe what Emilia tells him.tells him.

““This is a subtle whore”This is a subtle whore”Desdemona seems concerned about Desdemona seems concerned about

Othello when she would be justified in Othello when she would be justified in being angry: “being angry: “Why do you weep?”Why do you weep?”

Othello confronts Desdemona, using a Othello confronts Desdemona, using a series of images to describe how he series of images to describe how he feels his love has been ruined.feels his love has been ruined.

Desdemona is as honest Desdemona is as honest “as summer “as summer flies in the shambles [slaughterhouse]”flies in the shambles [slaughterhouse]”

O wishes “thou hadst ne’er been born”O wishes “thou hadst ne’er been born”

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Act 5 Scene 2Act 5 Scene 2

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Othello’s soliloquy:Othello’s soliloquy:““It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul”It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul”He uses ‘it’ as if he cannot even name He uses ‘it’ as if he cannot even name

adultery.adultery.His speech reminds the audience that His speech reminds the audience that

she she looks looks white but is also innocent: white but is also innocent: “that whiter skin of hers than snow and “that whiter skin of hers than snow and smooth as monumental alabaster”smooth as monumental alabaster”

Othello is calling on darkness - Othello is calling on darkness - “Put out “Put out the light” - the light” - again, literally and again, literally and metaphoricallymetaphorically

Another euphemism he uses is “pluck’d Another euphemism he uses is “pluck’d the rose” – he loves her, she is beautiful, the rose” – he loves her, she is beautiful, fragilefragile

He is torn between love and hateHe is torn between love and hate

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Desdemona repeatedly begs for her Desdemona repeatedly begs for her lifelife

But Othello smothers her, angrily But Othello smothers her, angrily calling her calling her “strumpet”“strumpet”

Emilia still cannot persuade him of Emilia still cannot persuade him of D’s innocenceD’s innocence

When Iago is accused of lying all When Iago is accused of lying all Othello can say is Othello can say is “O! O! O!” “O! O! O!” (197)(197)

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When Othello finally realises what Iago When Othello finally realises what Iago has done he tries to attack him and has done he tries to attack him and wishes Iago could be punished by God: wishes Iago could be punished by God: “Are there no stones in heaven but what “Are there no stones in heaven but what serves for the thunder?”serves for the thunder?”

He feels hopeless and no longer trusts He feels hopeless and no longer trusts human justicehuman justice

He is restrained and then seems too He is restrained and then seems too weak to attack Iago; weak to attack Iago; “I am not valiant “I am not valiant either.”either.”

He is completely broken and says “He is completely broken and says “Let it Let it go all.” go all.” Nothing matters to him any Nothing matters to him any more: bravery, honesty, honour, more: bravery, honesty, honour, respect… (244)respect… (244)

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He goes to Desdemona’s dead body. He goes to Desdemona’s dead body. He now accepts her “He now accepts her “chastity”. chastity”. Notice Notice

this line is much shorter than the this line is much shorter than the standard iambic pentameter (274)standard iambic pentameter (274)

He calls himself a “cursed, cursed He calls himself a “cursed, cursed slave”. slave”.

Othello imagines his punishment in hell: Othello imagines his punishment in hell: “Whip me, ye devils…Blow me about in “Whip me, ye devils…Blow me about in winds! Roast me in sulphur!”winds! Roast me in sulphur!”

Again he descends into a series of Again he descends into a series of painful howls: painful howls: “O Desdemon! Dead “O Desdemon! Dead Desdemon! Dead! O! O!”Desdemon! Dead! O! O!”

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He recovers slightly to justify his actions:He recovers slightly to justify his actions:““For naught did I in hate, but all in For naught did I in hate, but all in

honour”honour”He says of Iago: “He says of Iago: “that demi-devil…hath that demi-devil…hath

ensnared my soul and body”ensnared my soul and body”Then returns to pained exclamations “O Then returns to pained exclamations “O

villain!”, “O fool, fool, fool!”villain!”, “O fool, fool, fool!” In his final speech he reminds people In his final speech he reminds people

that “that “I have done the state some I have done the state some service”service”

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Othello asks that when people tell Othello asks that when people tell the story: “Speak of me as I am” the story: “Speak of me as I am”

Othello says that he is Othello says that he is “one that “one that loved not wisely, but too well”loved not wisely, but too well”

He He “threw a pearl away”“threw a pearl away”Othello’s final long speech is as Othello’s final long speech is as

eloquent as those in Act 1 Scene 3. eloquent as those in Act 1 Scene 3. He regains respect and seeks to He regains respect and seeks to influence how people will think of influence how people will think of himhim

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He gives a reminder of his service He gives a reminder of his service for Venice and then kills himself. for Venice and then kills himself.

His final lines are addressed to His final lines are addressed to Desdemona and he shows her one Desdemona and he shows her one last act of tenderness: “last act of tenderness: “to die to die upon a kiss”upon a kiss”

At the end Lodovico and Gratiano At the end Lodovico and Gratiano take pity on him and Cassio says take pity on him and Cassio says “he was great of heart”“he was great of heart”

The other characters judge Othello The other characters judge Othello kindly and he is redeemed.kindly and he is redeemed.