AP English Lit/Mr. Kirby
Name Logan Smith________
LITERARY ANALYSIS DATA SHEET
Significant biographical details about the author:
Title:
Othello
Author: William Shakespeare
Date of Publication: ~1603
Sources: Shakespeare: The Biography by Peter
William Shakespeare was born in 16th century
England and is considered England's national poet.
His works are often deliberated as original or
taken from another source and then embellished.
Othello is specifically based off of an Italian
Short story "A Moorish Captain". Othello was also
written during Shakespeare's second phase of
writing tragedies whereas the first phase was
writing comedies and histories.
Ackroyd and Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Stage
Moor by Pr. Nabil Matar
Information about the period (literary, historical, artistic,
philosophical, etc.):
Identify the genre and specify how this work fits its
characteristics:
During the writing of this play, Shakespeare was during
the reign of Elizabeth1st and was a favorite of that
monarch. Shakespeare was also already a successful
playwright and part-owner of the Globe Theater. In 1570,
Cyprus was attacked by the Turks and then conquered the
next year and it is this event that Othello appears to be
based off of.
This genre is a tragedy which deals with somber themes and
the protagonist is predestined by a character flaw or some
overpowering force to their downfall or death. Othello
naturally fits for Othello is the main character and is
manipulated by Iago to kill his wife and then himself.
Provide a brief synopsis (include exposition, main conflicts), climax, resolution, and major plot points):
Roderigo is in love with Desdemona but has failed to win her love. He hired Iago to help him out, however, it doesn't seem to work out since Desdemona had just
secretly married Othello. Roderigo confronts Iago that he is failing in their agreement because Othello is Iago's superior, but Iago reassures Roderigo that Iago hates Othello
for promoting Cassio instead of Iago. Iago conspires to spark Desdemona's father's rage by getting Roderigo to yell outside of the father's window about Desdemona's
elopement. The plan works and the father goes to confront Othello and a battle is sure to ensue between the father's men and Othello's men, but Othello quickly resolves the
issue by saying he's been called to the Duke's presence. The father says he will take the issue up to the Duke.
The father accuses Othello of witchcraft which he used to woo his daughter, but Othello states he won her over because of his stories he told about his life. The
duke believes Othello and the real reason for Othello's presence being required is resumed. The Turks are heading towards Cyprus and Othello is needed there to defend it.
As they head to Cyprus, they are caught in a storm which destroys most of the Turkish fleet, but they manage to survive. The conflict turns from international battle to the
schemes of Iago.
Othello plans a party to celebrate and Iago plans his revenge against Othello and Cassio. Iago convinces Roderigo that Cassio has scandalous motivations
towards Desdemona, and so Roderigo agrees to start a fight with Cassio that night. That night, Cassio refuses to drink at the persistence of Iago, but Cassio finally breaks and
starts drinking. Iago talks to an officer, Montano, saying that Othello should be alerted about Cassio's drinking problem. When Cassio is drunk, Roderigo starts a fight with
Cassio which Montano gets in the middle of, gets stabbed, and Roderigo manages to excape before Othello comes in. Iago's plan works and Othello discharges Cassio from
service, but Iago continues. Iago tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to talk to her husband Othello on his behalf. He goes to do just what Iago says, but Iago admits to the
audience he is doing this to make it easier to convince Othello that Desemona is cheating on him with Cassio. Roderigo is angry again with Iago because again, no results, but
Iago reassures him that all is going according to plan.
Iago distracts Othello so Cassio can talk with Desdemona, however, Iago and Othello manage to see Cassio leaving the room containing Desdemona.
Desdemona pleads with Othello to reinstate Cassio, and Othello agrees but asks to be alone. Iago proceeds to slyly implant the idea that Desdemona is cheating on his with
Cassio and Othello begins to have suspicions. Othello does not go to dinner on account of a "headache" and Desdemona offers her handkerchief which he refuses and it falls
to the floor. Emilia finds the handkerchief and gives it to her husband Iago because she knew he had an interest in it. She leaves and Othello bursts in enraged and Iago again
cleverly suggests that Desdemona is cheating on Cassio. Iago even makes up stories to back his suggestions up and one pertains to the handkerchief that Iago now possesses.
Othello then vows to kill his wife and Cassio.
Othello demands the handkerchief from Desdemona which she cannot produce. Othello takes this as a sign of unfaithfulness and a shouting match ensues. The
handkerchief is found by Cassio which he gets a prostitute to make a forgery of.
Iago asks Othello to hide as Iago asks about Cassio's affair with Desdemona. Iago really asks about Cassio's relation with the prostitute (but Othello still believes
Cassio's talking about Desdemona) and this prostitute walks in with the handkerchief which Othello recognizes during his hiding. Once Cassio and prostitute leave, Othello
and Iago plot the murders of Desdemona and Cassio. Desdemona enters with a messenger who tells Othello he's been summoned to Venice. Othello strikes Desemona and
storms off leaving the messenger (who knew Othello before) confused.
Othello asks Emilia about whether or not Desdemona is cheating on him and she says she hasn't. Othello gets alone with Desdemona and confronts her, she
denies unfaithfulness, he storms out. Emilia and Desdemona question Iago about Othello's strange behavior which Iago replies that Othello's stressed about politics which is a
lie. Roderigo is furious again and Iago reassures him again, and convinces Roderigo to murder Cassio. Desdemona is sent to bed and anticipates her bad fate.d
Iago gets Roderigo to ambush Cassio, but he fails so Iago sneeks a stab at Cassio's leg. Othello sees Cassio's wound and goes to strangle his wife as planned.
Iago and others find Cassio and Iago silently stabs Roderigo to death to keep his secret safe. Meanwhile, Othello strangles his wife, is interrupted by Emilia where
Desdemona exclaims with her final breath that she killed herself. Othello then says that he killed her. Emilia calls others and it becomes known that Iago planned this out
and Iago stabs his wife to death for telling on him and flees while being pursued. Iago is taken back as a prisoner and Othello stabs him. Othello has now realized that he's
been fooled this whole time. In light of being told he'd be stripped of his rank and tried, Othello pulls out a hidden dagger and kills himself and falls on his dead wife.
Lodovico tells Iago to look at what he's done, Graziano substitutes for Othello, Montano is in charge of Iago's death, and Lodovic himself leaves for Venice to
bear the bad news to the duke and senate.
Literary Analysis Data Sheet
page 2
Identify and explain the use and effect of three literary
techniques:
Cite and quote one example of each:
1. (Act 3, scene 3, line 442): "As Dian's visage"
1. Allusion to the goddess of chasity to make several
comparisons with Desdemona.
2. Simile to compare the servants to donnkeys to show
the unfair treatment of them
3. Irony is used when Othello describes Iago as a nice
guy, but really he is the reason for Othello's downfall.
2. (Act 1, scene 1, line 50): ``Wears out his time, much
like his master`s ass...`
3. (Act 3, scene 3, line 135):" I think thou dost; and for I
thou 'rt full of love and honesty..."
Significant Quotes
Cite and quote three significant passages:
Explain the significance of each passage or explain how it
relates to the work as a whole:
Were I the Moor I would not be Iago.
In following him I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so for my peculiar end.
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, ’tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am. (I.i.5 7 – 6 5 )
Iago is speaking to Roderigo about Iago's real feelings towards the
"Moor" (Othello) and Iago's eventual plan for revenge. This passage
essentially sets Iago up as the villain and foreshadows the conflict that
Othello will face.
I am glad I have found this napkin.
This was her first remembrance from the Moor,
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token—
For he conjured her she should ever keep it—
That she reserves it evermore about her
To kiss and talk to. I’ll ha’ the work ta’en out,
And give’t Iago. What he will do with it,
Heaven knows, not I.
I nothing, but to please his fantasy. (III.iii.2 9 4 – 3 0 3 )
Emilia's speech signals the beginning of Iago's plot to use the
handkerchief as proof of Desdemona's unfaithfulness and it is this
physical evidence that throws Iago over the edge and wanting to
murder his wife and Cassio.
Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well,
Of one not easily jealous but, being wrought,
Perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand,
Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away
Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued
eyes,
Albeit unused to the melting mood,
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
Their medicinable gum. Set you down this,
And say besides that in Aleppo once,
Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk
Beat a Venetian and traduced the state,
I took by th’ throat the circumcised dog
And smote him thus. (V.ii.3 4 1 - 3 5 4 )
These are the final words Othello spoke before stabbing himself and
the elequonce of the words contrast with his screaming "O fool! Fool!
Fool!" earlier. It seems he has regained his dignity and wants to be
remembered to everyone by the stories that wooed Desdemona in the
first place.
Literary Analysis Data Sheet
page 3
Characters
Record information for each significant major character in the work
Name
Role in the story
Significance or Purpose
Adjectives
1. Iago
1. Main villain,
servant to Othello.
1. Iago is used as the evil mastermind
who manipulates everyone to get what
he wants at the expense of other's
wealth and lives.
1. Evil, clever,
manipulative
2. Roderigo
2. Jealous lover, pawn
to Iago
2. Roderigo is manipulated by Iago to
start fights and attempt murder with
the shady promise by Iago that
Desdemona will love him
2. Jealous, insecure,
dumb.
3. Othello
3. Protagonist,
soldier, leader,
accuser.
3. Othello is very calm and put
together until he is manipulated by
Iago and jealousy consumes him to the
point of murder.
3. Exotic, jealous,
well put-together.
4. Desdemona
4.wife of Othello,
rebel, supposed whore.
4. Desdemona makes a gutsy move when
she elopes with Othello, and then her
decision to go with Othello further
propels the story. She then becomes
abused and murdered by her husband but
she continues to show love by taking
the blame for the murder.
4.Loving, adventurous,
beautiful.
5. Emilia
5. Wife of Iago, pawn
of Iago, friend of
Desdemona.
5. She is friends with Desdemona but
may be jealous of Desdemona's ideal
marriage in contrast to her own, so
Emilia may have felt right giving Iago
Desdemona's handkerchief which led to
her death. Emilia, however, did clear
Desdemona's name by revealing Iago's
plot and this was at the expense of
her own life.
5. Bitter, loving,
human.
Describe the setting(s) and explain its/their significance:
The setting of Venice is a mostly white city which would make a
man of color like Othello stand out more which contributes to the
theme of isolation as well as acts as a vehicle for Desdemona's
father to accuse Othello of witchcraft.
The setting of Cyprus is ironic for it is supposed to be a city of
love. Though Othello and Desdemona's love seems to improve at
the beginning, by the end, it shatters on Othello's part but
Desdemona still clearly loves him as seen by her claiming to take
her life when Othello was killing her.
Identify and explain the theme(s) of the work:
The Danger of Isolation - Isolation enables many of
the play’s most important effects: Iago frequently
speaks in soliloquies; Othello stands apart while Iago
talks with Cassio in Act IV, scene i, and is left alone
onstage with the bodies of Emilia and Desdemona for
a few moments in Act V, scene ii; Roderigo seems
attached to no one in the play except Iago. And, most
Identify and explain key metaphors, symbols, or motifs:
prominently, Othello is visibly isolated from the other
Handkerchief: symbolizes Desdemona and Othello's
bond and marriage and once it is lost we see that
their marriage is coming apart.
characters by his physical stature and the color of his
Willow song: represents to Desdemona that
acceptance of her husband disowning her.
fall prey to their own obsessions. At the same time,
Candle: The candle that Othello plays out before he
kills Desdemona represent Desdemona's fragile body
and life that can be taken away from the world
instantly.
his own obsession with revenge. The
Dian: The goddess of chastity is used several times
to compare and contrast with Othello's view of
Desdemona.
to the deaths of Roderigo, Iago, Othello, and even
skin. Iago is an expert at manipulating the distance
between characters, isolating his victims so that they
Iago, of necessity always standing apart, falls prey to
characters cannot be islands, the play seems to say:
self-isolation as an act of self-preservation leads
ultimately to self-destruction. Such self-isolation leads
Emilia.