Review of Othello December 14, 2009

Setting of the Play Venice  setting for Act 1  peaceful resolution of conflict  fixed social and political hierarchy  stability and order  where Othello’s reason and passion are balanced Cyprus  setting for Acts 2-5  “war-like isle”  instability and disorder  where Othello’s passion leads him to “preposterous conclusions”

Characterization: Flat or Round? Flat characters are defined by a single quality.  Roderigo  Bianca Round characters are more complex and thus not easily defined.  Othello  Iago  Emilia Where does Desdemona belong?

Characterization: Static or Dynamic? Static characters remain stable in their attitudes throughout the work.  Iago  Roderigo  Desdemona  Cassio Dynamic characters undergo personal development or growth through conflict or crisis.  Othello Where does Emilia belong?

The Tragic Hero: Othello an experienced soldier and a general for the Venetian army “rude in speech” and accustomed to the “tented field” rather than Venetian society calm, confident and in control of his emotions (Act 1) believes that all things are as they seem; thus, cannot perceive Iago’s ulterior motives reveals his guilt and draws upon the audience’s sympathy at the end

Othello’s Important Lines “For know, Iago, But that I love the gentle Desdemona ” “Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul But I do love thee! and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again.” “No, Iago; I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove ”

Othello’s Important Lines “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit Of human dealings...” “I think my wife be honest, and think she is not; I think that thou are just, and think thou are 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.” “My wife! My wife! What wife? I have no wife. O, insupportable! O heavy hour!”

The Villain: Iago Othello’s ancient (and later his lieutenant) is a master manipulator/opportunist and experienced in “human dealings” seems to enjoy doing evil for its own sake has many motives: revenge, love of power…evilness refuses any explanation for his actions (“demand me nothing”) is the motor behind the plot

The Villain: Iago In Shakespeare’s original source, Iago loves Desdemona, but in Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago does not. What effect does this change have on our understanding of Iago?

Iago’s Important Lines “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.” “Virtue? a fig! ‘Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus...If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions...”

Iago’s Important Lines “And what’s he then that says I play the villain?...Divinity of hell! When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do suggest at first with heavenly shows, As I do now.” “Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word.”

The Victim: Desdemona throughout the play, is played upon (or victimized by others) is innocent, honest and chaste (compared to Diana, the goddess of chastity, and is associated with light) cannot detect the cause of Othello’s anger like Othello, is trusting and idealistic is loyal to Othello until the very end (“Nobody. I, myself”)

Desdemona’s Important Lines “I do perceive here a divided duty. To you I am bound for life and education;...But here’s my husband, And so much duty as my mother show’d To you, preferring you before her father, So much I challenge that I may profess Due to the Moor my lord.” “Nobody; I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell!”

The Faithful Servant: Emilia like Iago, is experienced in human dealings (especially sexual relations) seems hardened by experience; is realistic rather than idealistic faithful and loving servant to Desdemona out of ignorance, gives Iago the handkerchief understands and acts upon the difference between right and wrong denounces Iago

Emilia’s Important Lines “I nothing but to please his fantasy.” “’Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; They eat us hungerly, and when they are full, They belch us.” “The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave, Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.

Emilia’s Important Lines “But I do think it is their husbands’ faults If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties And pour our treasures into foreign laps;... Let husbands know Their wives have sense like them... And have not we affections, Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have? Then let them use us well; else let them know, The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.” “Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, All, all, cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.”

Foils Othello  is idealistic (like Brutus)  is trusting and honest; is gullible  believes that appearances can be trusted  allows his passion (jealousy) to overrule his reason  is preyed upon by Iago Iago  is practical (like Cassius and Machiavelli)  is dishonest and duplicitous  understands that appearances are deceiving  is always in control of his emotions  preys upon the vulnerabilities of others

Foils Desdemona  inexperienced and innocent  idealistic and somewhat naïve  does not suspect Othello’s jealousy  cannot imagine wives being unfaithful  is loyal to her husband despite his actions Emilia  experienced and sceptical  realistic and hard-boiled (embittered through experience)  identifies Othello’s jealousy  thinks unfaithful wives are warranted in their escapades  holds her husband accountable for his actions

Theme: Jealousy Othello’s jealousy leads to the murder of Desdemona and his own death. When passion is not balanced by reason, one is led to “preposterous conclusions.” Iago: Jealousy is the “green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds upon.” Emilia: People are jealous because they are jealous leads to contradictions and conflicting emotions: Othello loves and hates Desdemona at the same time

Imagery Iago envisions himself as a spider who captures his prey. “With a little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.” “And out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all.” “My medicine work! Thus credulous fools are caught!”

Symbolism the handkerchief  gift from Othello to Desdemona  is said to either sustain or destroy love  is dropped by Desdemona and used as false evidence against her Desdemona’s wedding sheets  are laid upon Desdemona’s bed – where she is killed by Othello  white = innocence, chastity

Symbolism the Willow Song  Desdemona recalls Barbara, her mother’s servant, who sang the song when her mad lover left her.  Barbara’s situation parallels Desdemona’s.  The song is associated with sadness, grief, and loss.  The willow tree usually symbolizes women deserted by their husbands/lovers.

Othello and the “Cosmic Joke” The tragic ending of the play reinforces the absurdity of life – that is, its lack of order and justice. Innocent people are victims to the cruel exploits of a sinister villain. Even a man with great potential such as Othello can be driven to madness by “trifles light as air.” The play shows us that humans give up what is most precious to them.