Othello, the Moor of Venice By William Shakespeare

Shakespearean Tragedy Combination of Aristotle (Greek) and Seneca (Roman) 1.socially superior character

Shakespearean Tragedy Combination of Aristotle (Greek) and Seneca (Roman) 1.socially superior character 2.strives for personal goal – makes CHOICES

Shakespearean Tragedy Combination of Aristotle (Greek) and Seneca (Roman) 1.socially superior character 2.strives for personal goal – makes CHOICES 3.caught in a web of unforeseen circumstances that result from choices

4.hostility to hero by circumstances, enemies, or supernatural

5.hero recognizes reality too late; he dies bitter, desperate, and burnt-out

4.hostility to hero by circumstances, enemies, or supernatural 5.hero recognizes reality too late; he dies bitter, desperate, and burnt-out 6.hero’s death releases him from circumstances, his society from disorder, and the audience from tension

Shakespeare’s Othello written ca. 1606, but not published until 1622

Shakespeare’s Othello written ca. 1606, but not published until 1622 one of W.S.’s four great tragedies (including Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear)

Shakespeare’s Othello written ca. 1606, but not published until 1622 one of W.S.’s four great tragedies (including Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear) smallest cast used by W.S.

based on Italian writer Cinthio’s Hecatommithi (1565)

popular because it focuses on 2 people who defy society and follow their hearts

Richard Burbage – 1 st actor to play Othello

1660 – first time a woman played Desdemona

Othello: The Basics PLOT - begins with an interracial marriage and a jealous person of a lesser class

Othello: The Basics PLOT - begins with an interracial marriage and a jealous person of a lesser class SETTING –Venice, Italy –the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea

Motifs & Extended Metaphors animal names black / white the devil / God light / darkness trust / honesty / honest lie / beguile / belie / deceive

heaven / hell / angels / demons / supernatural honor / reputation poison / pestilence illness / medicine / remedy eating Motifs & Extended Metaphors

Major Themes in Othello things are not what they seem (foolish loyalty)

Major Themes in Othello things are not what they seem (foolish loyalty) jealousy (the “green-eyed monster”)

Major Themes in Othello things are not what they seem (foolish loyalty) jealousy (the “green-eyed monster”) society’s treatment of the outsider (the “Stranger in the Village” archetype)

Themes common in W.S.’s plays

Contrasting worlds

Themes common in W.S.’s plays Contrasting worlds Appearance v. reality (use of disguise)

Themes common in W.S.’s plays Contrasting worlds Appearance v. reality (use of disguise) Superstition / Supernatural

Themes common in W.S.’s plays Contrasting worlds Appearance v. reality (use of disguise) Superstition / Supernatural Rise of one person at the expense of another

Themes common in W.S.’s plays Contrasting worlds Appearance v. reality (use of disguise) Superstition / Supernatural Rise of one person at the expense of another Disorder in state or family

Themes common in W.S.’s plays Contrasting worlds Appearance v. reality (use of disguise) Superstition / Supernatural Rise of one person at the expense of another Disorder in state or family Order triumphs

Contrasting worlds true love v. jealousy

Contrasting worlds true love v. jealousy calmness v. rage

Contrasting worlds true love v. jealousy calmness v. rage Christian Venetians v. Muslim Turks

Appearance v. Reality Iago disguises his feelings toward Othello

Appearance v. Reality Iago disguises his feelings toward Othello Dramatic Irony – audience knows all of Iago’s plans; Iago hides something from each character

Superstition / Supernatural Othello is accused of using magic to woo Desdemona

Rise of one person at the expense of another Cassio promoted over Iago Iago’s power over Othello

Disorder in state or family Othello believes that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio

Disorder in state or family Othello believes that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio Italy is at war with Muslim Turks

Order triumphs Othello learn truth & kills himself

Order triumphs Othello learn truth & kills himself Cassio becomes temporary leader of troops in Cyprus

Order triumphs Othello learn truth & kills himself Cassio becomes temporary leader of troops in Cyprus Iago is arrested

Terms comic relief soliloquy aside tragic hero