1. Othello, the Moor of Venice By William Shakespeare

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

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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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)

10. 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.

11. based on Italian writer Cinthio’s Hecatommithi (1565)

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

13. Richard Burbage – 1 st actor to play Othello

14. 1660 – first time a woman played Desdemona

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

16. 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

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

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

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

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

21. 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)

22. Themes common in W.S.’s plays

23. Contrasting worlds

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

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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. Contrasting worlds true love v. jealousy

30. Contrasting worlds true love v. jealousy calmness v. rage

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

32. Appearance v. Reality Iago disguises his feelings toward Othello

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

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

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

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

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

38. Order triumphs Othello learn truth & kills himself

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

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

41. Terms comic relief soliloquy aside tragic hero