Title: How to Study Othello
Starter:
Make your own version.
3 panels in 3 minutes.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Homework
Plan: Motivations of main
characters
Revision – Broad
Questions
• Othello
• Iago
1. Key Moments (5-6)
2.Quotes to Support
1.
2.
3.
4.
CHARACTER
THEME
OPEN
STYLE
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
What I Need to Know (WINK)
1. Type of text
2. Motivations of main
characters
3. Tragic flaw in
Othello’s character
4. Soliloquies
5. Images
6. Personal analysis and
judgements
7. Issues/themes
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Some Common Faults
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Answer is too short
Points mentioned in the question are not addressed
Essay is merely a summary of the play
No suitable quotations or references to the play
are used to support the answer
Part or all of the answer is irrelevant
Answer contains padding to make it look longer.
This will be penalised.
Answer is poorly structured and lacks organisation
Ideas are badly expressed.
Answer reveals poor knowledge of or erroneous
information about the play.
Students answer both alternatives. This is a waste
of precious time, as only one alternative counts
towards the final mark.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Tips and Hints
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•
Know the play thoroughly and be able to quote at will.
Read the question carefully more than once.
Underline the key words in the question.
Ensure that you answer all parts of the question.
Write in paragraphs. State you point, develop it and
support it with quotations and/ or reference to the play.
Write at least 3 pages.
Be careful not to stray from the question into irrelevance.
Avoid waffling or padding. This will not fool the
experienced examiners who mark your papers.
You have 50 minutes to write your answer. Do not exceed
this time.
Understand clearly the way the characters change as the
plot develops.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Marking Scheme
Recap
Share and feedback
P = 18 marks
C = 18
L = 18
M=6
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Know the play thoroughly
What I Know Now (WINK)
• What new information
can you add?
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=Bp6LqSgukOU
You have 5 minutes to think
of a word for each letter
associated with the play
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
'Othello'
Homework
Plan: Motivations of main
characters
Revision – Broad
Questions
• Othello
• Iago
1. Key Moments (5-6)
2.Quotes to Support
1.
2.
3.
4.
CHARACTER
THEME
OPEN
STYLE
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Title: Tragic flaw in Othello’s
character
Starter:
Identify the keywords
in each question.
Create a plan for each
essay title.
1. “Othello is the
principal agent of
his own downfall”
(1994)
2. “Othello is
essentially a noble
character, flawed
by insecurity & a
nature that is naive
& unsophisticated”
(1990)
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Homework
Make a list of soliloquies.
Character and act number.
2-3 sentences summarising.
• Othello
• Iago
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Othello’s Virtues
• Make a list of 3
• Add quotes
• Explain
1. Trusted soldier
2. Loving husband
3. Calm under
pressure
4. Respected
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Othello’s Flaws
• Make a list of 3
• Add quotes
• Explain
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pride and Vanity
Impulsive
Insecure
Trusting
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Pair and Share
1. “Othello is the
principal agent of
his own downfall”
(1994)
2. “Othello is
essentially a noble
character, flawed
by insecurity & a
nature that is naive
& unsophisticated”
(1990)
What can we use from
last night’s
homework?/today’s
discussion?
• Key Moments?
• Key Quotes?
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Title: Soliloquies
Starter: Character Iago
• the real ‘hero’ of the
action?
• flaws and virtues?
• his motivation
• how he controls &
manipulates all of
the action/
characters
Homework Check
Share and feedback
your soliloquies.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Who is Iago?
• Iago plays the role of the villain or
antagonist in the tragedy Othello.
• He is conscious of the role
Shakespeare bestows on him and
revels in this role.
• "And what's he then that says I play
the villain, when this advice is free I
give, and honest," [Act II, Scene III,
Line 299]
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Iago – flaws & virtues?
• What words would you
use to describe Iago?
• 60 seconds
• Iago’s evil nature is
immediately evident – he
is a liar and
a cheat whodelights in
inflicting pain and
suffering on others. He
is also (in no particular
order) selfish, disloyal,
jealous, vengeful,
paranoid, cynical,
overconfident and unrepenta
nt
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Soliloquies in Action
• After watching –
make a list of 4
things that you now
think motivate Iago.
• (look back at points
made in H/W)
••Jealous
http://www.youtube.
of their happiness
incom/watch?v=UeU6j
love
•Jealous
of the respect
pmiF4I&feature=rel
Othello receives from his
ated
peers
••Jealous
http://www.youtube.
of their essential
goodness
com/watch?v=V82rz
•Racism
XwvJKE&feature=rel
•Desire
atedfor Power
•Sadism / Personality
Disorder
•Frustrated love
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Title: Who Said it?
Starter: Card Sort
"I am one, sir, who comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are making the beast with
two backs."
O beware, my lord, of Jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on.
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul.
Let me not name it to you, the stars.
It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood,
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.
Put out the light, and then put out the light
I am not sorry neither. I'd have thee live,
For in my sense 'tis happiness to die
I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this,
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
I am not what I am.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
"I am one, sir, who comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are making the beast with
two backs."
O beware, my lord, of Jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on.
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul.
Let me not name it to you, the stars.
It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood,
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.
Put out the light, and then put out the light
I am not sorry neither. I'd have thee live,
For in my sense 'tis happiness to die
I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this,
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
I am not what I am.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Iago informs Brabantio that
Othello and Desdemona
have eloped
Iago plays on Othello's
fears
Othello convinces himself
to kill Desdemona despite
his love for her
Othello, after
unsuccessfully attempting
to kill Iago:
Othello kills himself:
Iago boasts that Othello
doesn't really know him
Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:
She has deceived her father, and may thee.
Cassio, I love thee;
But never more be officer of mine.
Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.
Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:
She has deceived her father, and may thee.
Brabantio spitefully warns
Othello that his daughter,
Desdemona, may betray him
Cassio, I love thee;
But never more be officer of mine.
Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.
Othello dismisses Cassio, his
best friend, from his job.
Just before Iago traps him
into insane jealousy, Othello
expresses his deep love for
Desdemona.
With a string of platitudes,
Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Iago continues to pretend
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
that he doesn't want to ruin
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
anyone's reputation
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
For others' uses.
O, now, for ever
Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!
Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars
That make ambition virtue! O, farewell!
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife
I understand a fury in your words,
But not the words.
Yet I'll not shed her blood;
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
'Tis neither here nor there.
I have done the state some service, and they know't.
No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice. Then, must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well
I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee: no way but this;
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
For others' uses.
O, now, for ever
Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!
Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars
That make ambition virtue! O, farewell!
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife
I understand a fury in your words,
But not the words.
Yet I'll not shed her blood;
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
'Tis neither here nor there.
In a soliloquy, Othello explores the idea of Desdemona's
unfaithfulness and sinks ever deeper into angry jealousy.
Becoming convinced of Desdemona's unfaithfulness, Othello
feels worthless and says farewell to all he has ever known, his
life as a warrior.
When Othello speaks of Desdemona as though she is a whore,
Desdemona tells him that she knows he's angry, but not why
he's angry.
As he prepares to kill Desdemona, Othello promises that he
won't disfigure her.
Asked by Desdemona if itching eyes lead to weeping, Emilia
says it doesn't make any difference.
Speaking to all who have been horrified by Othello's murder of
I have done the state some service, and they know't.
his wife, Othello takes responsibility for what he has done and
No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,
faces the consequences
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice. Then, must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well
Speaking to the corpse of Desdemona, and kissing her, Othello
I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee: no way but this;
dies.
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Be able to quote at will.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
1
Quote
Ay, let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night;
for she shall not live: no, my heart is turned to
stone; I strike it, and it hurts my hand
He, woman;
I say thy husband: dost understand the word?
My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago
I think my wife be honest and think she is not;
I think that thou art just and think thou art not.
I'll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh
As Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black
As mine own face
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well;
I must be found:
My parts, my title and my perfect soul
Shall manifest me rightly
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Situation
Explanation
O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
Out of my sight!
It gives me wonder great as my content
To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!
If after every tempest come such calms,
May the winds blow till they have waken'd death
Think, my lord!
By heaven, he echoes me,
As if there were some monster in his thought
Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something:
I heard thee say even now, thou likedst not that,
What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
To manage private and domestic quarrel,
In night, and on the court and guard of safety!
Yet I'll not shed her blood;
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.
Title: Images and Irony
Starter:
Think. Pair. Share.
Keywords.
Key Moments.
Quotes.
https://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=l3G81E
LEkJY
• “Image of animals,
images of storm and
images of heaven
and hell predominate
in Othello” (1990)
• “Irony is a powerful
dramatic device used
by Shakespeare to
heighten the tragic
dimension of his play
Othello” (1998)
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Act 1 Analysis: Juxtaposition
• Animal imagery; "an old
black ram is tupping
your white ewe," Iago
yells to Brabantio
• To convey immorality
and illicit passion
• Iago also compares
Othello to a "Barbary
horse" coupling with
Desdemona, and uses
animal imagery to
reinforce a lustful
picture of Othello
• Iago's statement is
doubly potent, since it
not only condemns
Othello for his alleged
lust, but also plays on
Brabantio's misgivings
about Othello's colour
• The juxtaposition of
black and white, in
connection with the
animal imagery, is meant
to make this image very
repellent, and to inflame
Brabantio to anger and
action.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Devils
• Iago especially mentions
the devil many times in
the text
• To make Othello sound
like a devil with:
– lust
– indiscretion
– strangeness
• The irony is that Iago is
so quick to make others
out to be evil
• The devil often takes
disguises, just as Iago
does embodying the
theme of appearance vs.
reality
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Imagery and Setting
• Many scenes and soliloquies in
darkness
• Things are unsteady and eerie,
and disorder rules.
• With Brabantio's call for
light, there is a corresponding
call for some kind of order:
– darkness vs. light
– order vs. disorder
– Both important juxtapositions
within the play
– they highlight the status of
situations
• These themes will appear
again at the end, as the play
returns to darkness, and
chaos
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Janus
• Iago continues his
deliberate
misrepresentation:
– Swearing to Othello that
he could have killed
Roderigo for what he did.
• Iago is a very skilled
actor:
– He is able to successfully
present a contrary
appearance
• Ironically, Iago alludes to
Janus, the two-faced god,
in his conversation with
Othello.
• Since Iago himself is twofaced Janus seems to be a
fitting figure for Iago to
invoke.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: White and Black
• Light and dark are again juxtaposed in the Duke's
declaration to Brabantio, that:
– "if virtue no delighted beauty lack/ your sonin-law is far more fair than black."
• The Duke's statement is ironic, since Othello is
black, but truthful, because his soul is good and
light.
• Light/white/fairness all convey innocence,
goodness, any symbol that is white has these
qualities. Black is associated with sin, evil, and
darkness;
• The juxtaposition of black and white, light and
dark shows up again and again in the play, as the
colors become symbolic within the story.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
ACT 2 Analysis: Storms
• Storms are always of greater significance in
Shakespeare:
– the storm is a symbol of unrest
– The storm marks the end of the peaceful part of
the play, and is an act of fate
– it is a signal that Iago's mischief is about to begin.
• Shakespeare's characters that comment on
the storm are mariners, alluding to Ursa
Minor and stars used for navigation
• This is a testament to Shakespeare's
incredible ability to form credible language
for a great diversity and range of characters.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Juxtaposition
• Iago and Cassio are juxtaposed in this scene to bring
out Cassio's flawed honor and courtliness and Iago's
manipulativeness and deceptiveness.
• Cassio stands in especially sharp contrast to Iago
when Iago speaks lustfully of Desdemona
• Cassio is full of honor when it comes to women, and
the ideals of a courtier as well.
• "He's a soldier fit to stand by Caesar," Iago says, the
allusion to Caesar stating the fact that he knows
Cassio's true quality.
• Iago strikes gold when he figures out Cassio's
weakness for drink
• "He'll be as full of quarrel and offense as my young
mistress' dog,"
• Iago’ metaphor shows that he knows how liquor can
separate even the best man from himself
• Iago's metaphor reinforces his perceptiveness, and
the light/dark imagery
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Devil
• Cassio is so grieved that his reputation has
been hurt that he sees fit to find a villain in
all that has happened
• Ironically, Cassio misses the identity of the
real devil in this situation, Iago.
• "Devil" becomes a key word in this play, as
people try to seek out what is poisoning
everyone
• Good vs. evil is a major theme in the play
• There is a great deal of grey area:
– Iago is the villain
– Everyone else has some blemish of their natures
– No one entirely deserving of the label "good".
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Othello’s Uniqueness
• Othello is unlike other
Shakespearean dramas for
two reasons:
– the scarcity of comic
relief, which only appears
briefly at the beginning of
this short scene.
– there are no subplots
running through Othello as
there are in most
Shakespearean plays as a
whole.
• Both of these differences
make Othello one of
Shakespeare's most
focused, intense
tragedies.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
ACT 3 Analysis: Imagery
• Grief and rage = Desdemona's alleged treachery.
• "My name, that was as fresh as Dian's visage, is now
begrimed and black as mine own face," Othello says.
• Although the allegations against Desdemona are personally
hurtful to him, Othello focuses more on the public
ramifications, rather than the private
• There is great irony in this concern, since this rumored
betrayal is a private one, and also since Othello's name
is highly regarded, because nothing has really
happened.
• Iago's "proofs" also rely on the animal imagery which has
run throughout the play
• He makes Desdemona and Cassio seem like lustful lovers,
by describing them as "prime as goats, as hot as monkeys"
• This comparison is calculated, since Iago knows that
thinking of Desdemona as lusting after another man
disturbs Othello greatly.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Handkerchief
• The most crucial
symbol and object in
the play.
• To Desdemona,
symbolises Othello's
love, since it was his
first gift to her.
• Othello thinks that the
handkerchief, quite
literally, is
Desdemona's love
• When she has lost it,
that must clearly mean
that she does not love
him any longer.
• The handkerchief also
becomes a symbol of
Desdemona's alleged
betrayal
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Proof
• Othello demands that Iago prove Desdemona
unfaithful by actually seeing evidence of her guilt.
• Iago manages to work around this completely; he
plays off of Othello's jealousy, telling him stories
that damn Cassio and mention the handkerchief
• Othello trusts Iago's words to convey proof, and is
thwarted by Iago's dishonesty
• Othello only realises later that he has been tricked
and has seen no proof, when it is too late for him to
take his actions back.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Chaos vs. Order
• In the battle between order and chaos, chaos
seems to be winning out.
• Othello abandons his reason in judging Iago's
"proofs," and his abandonment of language
also marks a descent into chaos.
• Although it is a chaos controlled by Iago,
order and reason are on the losing side
• Raging emotions and speculations begin to rule
Othello's fate, as he comes closer and closer
to his tragic end.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Magic Hanky
• Othello finally elaborates upon the
handkerchief's importance for Desdemona.
• "There's magic in the web of it," Othello’s
language is full of mystical, dark images
• Othello reveals that he believes the
handkerchief to literally symbolise
Desdemona's affection
• The irony is that although the handkerchief is
lost, Desdemona still loves him.
• The theme of appearance vs. reality appears
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
ACT 4 Analysis: Foreshadowing
• Roderigo, at last, is the one to accuse Iago of
treachery
• He has discovered the truth, that Iago's
"words and performances are no kin
together."
• Iago does his best to deny this, and convinces
Roderigo to kill Cassio in order to win
Desdemona
• Roderigo's accusation means:
– Iago will be revealed by Roderigo if Roderigo is not
satisfied
– Roderigo will have to die so that Iago's plans will
go through.
• Othello is a tragedy and this confrontation
foreshadows Roderigo's death.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
ACT 5 Analysis: Literary Terms
• Othello's farewell to Desdemona is a return to his former
eloquence
• Though he believes Desdemona's soul to be black, he can
only focus on her whiteness; he pledges not to mar "that
whiter skin of hers than snow"
• The metaphor highlights Desdemona's innocence, as does
comparing her to a "light" to be put out.
• There is irony in Othello's references to Desdemona here:
– he describes her with words that suggest her
brightness and innocence
– he is determined to condemn and kill her.
• She is also "the rose" to Othello, another beautiful image
• Othello's allusion to Prometheus explains his wish to put
out Desdemona's light in order to restore her former
innocence.
• Before Othello felt only hatred and anger, now he is
forced to feel his love, along with his mistaken
determination to see Desdemona die.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Lines
• Desdemona's last words are especially cryptic
• When asked who killed her, she remarks:
– "nobody, I myself commend me to my kind lord."
• This could be seen as a kind of condemnation
of Othello for killing her
• She might be trying to absolve her husband
of blame with her last breath
• If this is so, it certainly does not sit well with
her line:
– "falsely, falsely murdered," which seems to refer
both to Desdemona's death, as to Emilia's mention
of the death of Roderigo and wounding of Cassio.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Parallelism
• Emilia's fate is parallel to Desdemona's:
– She was more realistic than Desdemona
– She too was betrayed by her husband
– She died through other's wrongs.
• Desdemona might be a more central figure in
the play, but Emilia is the conscience
• Emilia knows how human nature works
• She knows of husbands' jealousies, of how
men believe women are less human, of how
people are naturally prone to folly.
• She is the sole voice of reason in the play, the
only besides Desdemona who is uncorrupted
by Iago's manipulations.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Oxymoron
• Othello insists that he is an "honorable murderer”
– Iago was surely killed out of anger
– Desdemona out of jealousy and offended pride.
• Othello still denies the flaws in himself that have led
him to this end.
• Iago was definitely the catalyst for Desdemona's
death and Othello's jealous rages; but the seeds of
jealousy and suspicion were already inherent in
Othello
• It certainly makes the resolution of the play more
neat to believe that Othello is returned to his nobility
• Since he still denies the deep wrong he has
committed, he cannot be fully redeemed or forgiven.
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Analysis: Conclusion
• Of course, all threads are wrapped up in
this last scene of the play:
– Letters are produced that expose Iago's
part in these unfortunate events
– These letters have not been mentioned or
shown earlier in the play.
– Cassio seems to have been kept alive merely
to testify about his part in this whole
debacle
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015
Tragedies Excite
• Shakespeare was as good a philosopher as he
was a poet
• He understood the love of power and mischief
and that these loves were natural to man
• Why are tragedies so interesting to people?
• Why do they read the newspaper and watch
the news to hear about “the latest Iago”?
L. Lenihan L.C. Pres 2015