OthelloOne of 4 great Shakespearean tragedies

Focuses on personal, not public life

Probably first presented in 1604

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 Hitchens

Pure love and suspicion cannot dwell together: at the door where the latter enters, the former makes its exit. Alexandre Dumas

Lack of trust Trust—cement that holds relationships

together. Jealousy is a virulent form of interpersonal

distrust/ Lack of trust is implicit in Othello’s situation

from outset of play. Othello is isolated from the world.

Othello Story of great man’s

fall into the barbarism of human nature

Alteration from a noble lover to a raving killer.

Based on Italian novella.

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

Othello Moorish general--Arab Exotic, from a foreign

land Racially different from

English. Earliest black character

in English literature with a sympathetic personality

Othello Romantic and heroic

warrior Frank and honest Magnanimous soldier Dedicated to

unquestioned code of conduct

Reputation as great military leader

A complete man

Othello Self-controlled Sure of himself Exotic From a fascinating and

mysterious land Weakness is his

jealousy/inability to trust Easily deceived—why

does he believe Iago? Why is he deceived?

Othello Importance of being

an outsider Naïve Soldier who cannot

understand world outside military

Tragic hero (handout)

Desdemona Daughter of Brabantio,

a senator in Venice Idealistic, romantic Younger than Othello Loves Othello

completely and is loyal to him

Touchstone—each character can be judged by his attitude toward her

Iago Modern devil Truly evil man Villain of play Sees others as victims

or tools Malcontent Jealous of Cassio Destroys Othello

Iago Classic Renaissance atheist—an 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.

Setting--Venice

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.

Change in setting Venice—Cyprus War as a setting (Iliad) Change in cities affects character how?

Plot Double time. Could the events of the play

occur in time given? Intense concentration of events.

Considered to be Shakespeare’s most unified play. No subplots.