Othello William Shakespeare 1603
Setting&Significance Basic Conflicts Setting: The island of Cyprus. During the late sixteenth century wars between Venice and Turkey Conflict: Othello and Desdemona marry and try to build a life together.. Their marriage is sabotaged by Iago.
Themes Racism Love Jealousy Betrayal
Major Characters Othello, the Moor: A general in the Venetian military Desdemona: Othello’s wife and daughter of Brabantio Iago: Othello’s ensign and Emilia’s husband Cassio: Othello’s lieutenant Roderigo: A dissolute Venetian, in love with Desdemona Brabantio: A Venetian senator, Gratiano’s brother and Desdemona’s father Bianca: Cassio’s lover Emilia: Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maidservant
Minor Characters Dukee of Venace: the Doge Gratiano: Brabantio’s brother Lodovico: Brabantio’s kinsman and Desdemona’s cousin Montano: Othello’s Venetian predecessor in the government of Cyprus Clown: a servant
Major Symbols and Motifs The Song “Willow”- Men and women are unfaithful to each other Hankerchief- Means something different to every character, but to Desdemona it symbolizes a token of Othello’s love
Protagonist, Delimma, & Significance Othello: He faces the dilemma of believing what Iago is telling him about his love, Desdemona, and believing what’s in his heart. Instead of listening to his heart Othello listens to Iago, who hints to him of the person he really is with “I am not what I am” and ends up killing the love of his life.
Significance of Beginning and Ending
Quotes “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit and lost without deserving.”- Iago Reputation is not always earned or deserved. A rumor can destroy someone's reputation unnecessarily. “I am not what I am” – Iago I am not what I seem. Iago has the qualities of the Devil. He is a liar, he tells fancy stories in order to trap people and lead them to their destruction, and he sees other’s greatest vulnerabilities and uses these to destroy them. Iago does all this not for any good reason, but for love of evil.