William Shakespeare The Tragedy of Othello

Shakespearean Tragedy 5 Act Play One central figure or tragic protagonist Hamlet Othello Macbeth King Lear Protagonist has human characteristics. Unlike Greek tragedy

Tragedy Cont’d With death of protagonist, there is usually some redemption achieved. Protagonist’s fall comes from personal weakness.

Themes Martial Prejudice Power of jealousy Appearance vs. reality Othello is great during war Not so good at other things Prejudice Race Othello’s prejudice toward Desdemona Power of jealousy Appearance vs. reality

Othello the Play Considered Shakespeare’s most perfect play Very straightforward play: Not many characters (fewest characters in all of Shakespeare’s plays) Not many subplots Moves quickly from opening scene to resolution.

Background and Setting Play initially takes place in Venice, Italy Act I takes place here Rest of the play is set in Cyprus An island south of Turkey Battleground between Turks and Venetians

Background Cont’d Venetians vs. Turks Othello and the rest of the characters are either a part of the Venetian army or in alliance with it. The Venetians won the Battle of Lepanto on Cyprus Around 30,000 Turks were killed

-Othello and Iago The two most important characters Characters in Othello

Othello

Othello The opposite of Iago Martially: Brilliant Foreign, considered a barbarian Black, or very dark-skinned Watch/listen for his speech An outsider who wants in Has become successful in society by his martial skills Martially: Brilliant

Othello Cont’d He is a moor Twice Desdemona’s age and a different race A man from an Arabic region or From North Africa or Africa Most of Iago’s words refer to him as a black man Twice Desdemona’s age and a different race Iago finds his weakness and plays off of it. Biggest fall of all Shakespearean characters

Iago

Iago Strongest and most evil of all Shakespearean villains One of the most developed villains in all of literature Handsome Blond, fair-skinned Appears a gentleman What one would think of as a hero

Iago cont’d Italian Othello’s ancient/ensign Passed up by Othello to be his lieutenant Prey’s on Othello’s weakness Watch his language. Awesome!! So evil.

Excellent thinker/conspirator, manipulative Othello vs. Iago VS. Advantage is using emotion/feeling, excellent in battle Disadvantage: ??? Excellent thinker/conspirator, manipulative

Cassio Named Othello’s lieutenant over Iago. This makes Iago very angry Very smart, not experienced in war

Othello: General Cassio: Lieutenant Iago: Ensign/Ancient

Desdemona Othello’s wife - Daughter to Brabantio, a powerful senator

Other Characters Cont’d Roderigo In love with Desdemona You’ll like him, but I won’t tell you why. Bianca A woman of “questionable morals”? In love with Cassio

Emilia Brabantio Gratiano and Lodovico Iago’s wife Powerful senator Father to Desdemona Gratiano and Lodovico Associated with Brabantio

Symbols Handkerchief Storm at sea “Willow” song Othello’s sword Phallic symbol

Language Animal Imagery Infection Light/dark Heaven/hell

“But Mr. Bielec, Shakespeare is too hard!”

Write for 3-4 minutes… about your experience with Romeo and Juliet last year. Did you enjoy it? Why or why not? What did you struggle with? Like in the clip, be sure you address the language of Shakespeare in your response.

There are many reasons why students feel they can’t understand Shakespeare. Archaic language Inversions Ex. “plots have I laid” instead of “I have laid plots.” Word omissions Think about when we say “Heard from him yet?” Inversion and omission help keep rhythm in iambic pentameter.