Background to Othello Burkett – English IV

THE THEMES

Othello Passion… Hypocrisy… Prejudice… Jealousy… Revenge…

THE PLOT

Othello Plot Othello is a general, a military leader, in Venice hundreds of years ago. But he is an outsider because he is from another country—and of another race.

Othello Plot (cont.) When Othello secretly marries the young, beautiful and noble Desdemona, her father, Brabantio, wants Othello to be arrested. But Desdemona loves Othello and doesn’t care that he is an outsider.

Othello Plot (cont.) At the same time, the men in the army under Othello can’t be trusted. Cassio means well but is open to bad influences. Iago pretends to be Othello’s friend, but secretly resents him for passing him over for promotion.

Othello Plot (Cont.) Iago is determined to get revenge. He decides to attack Othello in his most vulnerable spot… his love for Desdemona.

Othello Plot (cont.) Will Othello be able to see through Iago’s schemes? Or will jealousy and revenge turn to murder?

TERMS TO KNOW

Important Dramatic Terms Tragedy—a drama of a solemn and dignified quality that typically depicts the development of a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force, such as fate, circumstance, or society, and reaches a mournful or ruinous conclusion. 11

Othello – A Shakespearean Tragedy Othello is a Shakespearean Tragedy It encompasses elements of tragedies such as: It ends with the death of numerous characters The protagonist is admirable, but flawed, with the audience able to understand and sympathise with the character. The protagonist is capable of both good and evil Free will is insisted upon – the protagonist must always be able to back out of a situation or to redeem themselves – but always towards their inevitable doom.

Important Dramatic Terms Tragic flaw—a defect in the protagonist that brings about his or her downfall. Hubris: derived from the Greek word hybris, means “excessive pride.” In Greek tragedy, hubris is often viewed as the flaw that leads to the downfall of the tragic hero. 13

Important Dramatic Terms Tragic hero: the main character of great importance to his state or culture and who is conventionally of noble birth and high social station, the ruler or an important leader in his society. The moral health of the state is identified with, and dependent on, that of its ruler, and so the tragic hero’s story is also that of his state. 14

Important Dramatic Terms Such heroes are mixed characters, neither thoroughly good or thoroughly evil, yet “better” or “greater” than the rest of us in the sense that they are of higher than ordinary moral worth and social significance. 15

THE SETTING

Setting Setting (time) · Late sixteenth century, during the wars between Venice and Turkey Setting (place) · Venice in Act I; the island of Cyprus thereafter 17

http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcitaly.htm

Cyprus is located east of Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is just south of Turkey. http://geography.about.com/library/cia/nccyprus.htm

THE CHARACTERS

Types of People in Othello Venetians Most are noblemen and women (Brabantio, Desdemona, Roderigo) Also, there are the nobles’ servants (Emilia) Some are soldiers (Cassio, Iago) Others are part of Venetian government (the Duke)

Types of People (cont’d) Moors (Othello) Black nomadic people of the northern shores of Africa, originally the inhabitants of Mauretania Converted to Islam in the 8th century

Moors (cont’d) Invaded Spain in 711 and dominated until the 11th century had great dynasties up until 1492, when the last of their cities was conquered by Spain virtually exterminated by Spain during the Inquisition (late 1400s-1820)

Moors (cont’d) Othello is a Moor Discriminated against because of his race (black) Othello has been accepted in some ways because he is a Christian and a military genius Yet his marriage to Desdemona reflects the prevailing view toward interracial marriage.

Iago Iago is one of Shakespeare’s most sinister villains, often considered so because of the unique trust Othello puts in him, which he betrays while maintaining his reputation of honesty and dedication. Shakespeare contrasts Iago with Othello’s nobility and integrity. Iago is a malcontent – he has a bitter and cyncial view of the world around him. The name Iago is a shortened version of the Spanish name “Santiago” or “St James”. Saint James of Spain was also known as “St James the Moor Killer” which seems appropriate within the play.

Othello One of the Generals of the Venetian Army Marries Desdemona Promotes Michael Cassio to “left” lieutenant instead of Iago. Suffers from bouts of epilepsy when he is stressed.

Cassio The “left” lieutenant of Othello, meant to be “an extension of his left hand” Iago gets him drunk, Roderigo provokes him, he strikes another soldier. Stripped of his lieutenant rank and honor.

Desdemona Wife of Othello, daughter of Brabantio Genuinely innocent character SHE is the primary pawn in Iago’s plan. Iago uses mind-games to convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair

Roderigo Is passionately in love with Desdemona. Agrees to help Iago in exchange for the opportunity to wed Desdemona Another pawn in Iago’s scheme Provokes Cassio into losing his lieutenant title

Emilia Iago’s wife, and Desdemona’s servant Has a cynical view of life: “that women only live to serve men” Obtains the hankerchief to please Iago. Has the largest nose in the history of film.

THE CULTURE OF THE TIME

A typical wife receiving her instruction The Wife’s Status The husband, in the accepted role as head of the household, gives moral direction to his wife and children--who sit obediently listening. A typical wife receiving her instruction

Evil Women! In the Elizabethan times there was a long and well established tradition in the Church of what we would now call misogyny – women were distrusted simply because they were women. At the time it was assumed that women would cheat – it was part of their nature! The men in “Othello” have differing views of women – from Othello who idolizes his wife (Desdemona) to Iago who sees love as "merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will“. The attitudes of the audience at the time are likely to have been varied too.

The Cuckold Any man whose wife cheated on him (without his knowledge) was known as a cuckold. The word derives from “cuckoo” – the bird known for laying their eggs in another’s nest. It was highly undesirable to be considered a cuckold. All of the community would find out about it and it was considered a public humiliation. Cuckolds were often described as having horns – a hangover from the days when a cuckold was forced to parade around his town wearing antlers as a sign of his wife’s infidelity.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

When the story opens… Othello and Desdemona are having their wedding ceremony…in secret. Iago, jealous from being passed over for the promotion of Cassio, decides to use Roderigo’s love for Desdemona against him. The two of them wake up Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, saying that his daughter has been stolen in the night and is currently participating in the dance of “the beast with two backs…” aka “Netflix and chill.”

Jealousy Jealousy was viewed as something irrational and linked to the deadly sin of envy. It was viewed as a sudden infection against which there was no prevention or cure. It was thought of as eroding trust and it dissolved the bonds holding together marriages, families and social frameworks. Being jealous could let in evil and chaos and it was a state greatly feared by Shakespeare’s audiences.

Task On the following slide are some lines spoken by, or about, various characters in the play – consider what you think each quotation reveals about the person speaking/being spoken about and what they are like as a character.

Iago - describing Othello: “loving his own pride and purposes” Iago - speaking about his relationship with Othello: “I follow him to serve my turn upon him” Iago - speaking about himself: “I am not what I am”. Othello - speaking about himself: “My parts, my title and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly” Othello - about Iago: “A man he is of honesty and trust”.

Quotations on Deception – Do you agree? “We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves.” “Deception is a cruel act... It often has many players on different stages that corrode the soul.” “It's better to get something worthwhile done using deception than to fail to get something worthwhile done using truth.” “Truth lives on in the midst of deception”

Today’s society - TASK Think about the cultural rules that you live by. Look at the questions opposite and discuss/make notes. What rules dictate the behaviour of young men and women in relationships today? What are the things “nice girls” just don’t do? What are the things “nice boys” just don’t do? What do you think the consequences are of breaking these rules?

Act I: Exposition The “moorish” General Othello secretly marries a nobleman’s daughter, Desdemona. Yet because he is African, her father disapproves and seeks council with the Duke. Conflict: The newly married Othello and Desdemona attempt to start their new life together. However, their relationship is sabotaged by the envious Iago, who convinces Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful.

Act II: Rising Action Othello is sent to defend the island of Cyprus from Turkish Invaders. He travels there first and is then followed by Desdemona. Iago tells of his plan to split up the couple. He intends to frame Cassio, a lieutenant he has a grudge against, and convince Othello Desdemona is sleeping with him.

Act III: Climax Finally, Iago’s plan has worked. Othello tells Iago that he will not stop until he achieves his revenge. Othello watches on as Iago “baits” Michael Cassio into sounding like he has affectionate feelings for Desdemona.

Act IV: Falling Action Iago plants a handkerchief of Desdemona’s in Cassio’s room to make it appear that the two have been sleeping together. This causes Othello to smother Desdemona with a pillow while Iago attempts to kill Cassio. However, Emilia comes in and exposes Iago’s plan.

Act V: Denouement With this news Othello kills himself. Iago is taken away to be tortured. Before being taken away, Iago states that “Thou shall never know why I did it.” Michael Cassio is instated as the new general of the Venetian Army. The bodies of Othello and Desdemona are taken to sea to spend eternity together.