Explore how Shakespeare treats the theme of love in Othello. You must relate your discussion to
relevant contextual factors and ideas from critical reading.
Intro: It is a corrupting force within the play and arguably the main catalyst for the conflict and
violence that ensues. Varying perspectives and experiences of love: romantic love, fraternal love.
Within the play and contextually, love is a desirable experience, but not a necessity for marriage.
Section 1: Fraternal love between Othello and Iago as a parody of intimacy. Close professional and
personal relationship as Iago is Othello’s ensign and Othello begins trusts him implicitly in all aspects
of his life. Contemporary gender norms afforded men more freedom than women. Close fraternal
bonds between soldiers.
“This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit of human dealings”
3 3 “I follow him to serve my turn upon him” 1 1 Central tragic themes: betrayal and appearance
vs reality. [he kneels] [they rise] 3 3 “I am your own forever” 3 3
Section 2: Love as weaponised by Iago as a catalyst for jealousy and violence. Othello is an esteemed
soldier whose reputation is of utmost importance. Love is not a typical quality of a solider and it is
his “loving, noble nature” that allows him to be manipulated.
“An old black ram is tupping your white ewe” 1 1
“O beware, my lord, of jealousy: it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meet it feeds on”
33
“Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as holy writ” 3 3
“But I do love thee; and when I love thee not, chaos is come again.” Plosive alliteration
demonstrates passion. 3 3 Allusion to the Elizabethan belief that a state of chaos existed before
creation. “I’ll tear her all to pieces” 3 3
Section 3: Forbidden, but genuine romantic love between Desdemona and Othello. Brabantio’s
failure to comprehend their love - assuming it to be “spells and medicines” and “witchcraft” – is a
reflection of contemporary attitudes towards race and marriage as business relationships.
“She loved me for the dangers I have passed and I loved her that she did pity them” 1 3 “She wished
that heaven had made her such a man” 1 3
Mutual respect and deep sincerity conveyed. Othello speaks eloquently of how he came to love
Desdemona. There is perhaps a sense that the love they share is superficial, having been founded in
brief clandestine meetings before their eloping.
“Look to her, Moor, if thou has eyes to see she has betrayed her father and may betrayed thee” 1 3
In the Jacobean epoch a man had absolute authority over his family, so a contemporary audience
would have been shocked by Othello’s ‘stealing’ of Desdemona.
Conclusion:
Shakespeare treats love as a wholly negative experience that quicky sours. Idealised expectations of
love and being blindly besotted allow Othello to be easily manipulated by the cynical antagonist
Iago.
relevant contextual factors and ideas from critical reading.
Intro: It is a corrupting force within the play and arguably the main catalyst for the conflict and
violence that ensues. Varying perspectives and experiences of love: romantic love, fraternal love.
Within the play and contextually, love is a desirable experience, but not a necessity for marriage.
Section 1: Fraternal love between Othello and Iago as a parody of intimacy. Close professional and
personal relationship as Iago is Othello’s ensign and Othello begins trusts him implicitly in all aspects
of his life. Contemporary gender norms afforded men more freedom than women. Close fraternal
bonds between soldiers.
“This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit of human dealings”
3 3 “I follow him to serve my turn upon him” 1 1 Central tragic themes: betrayal and appearance
vs reality. [he kneels] [they rise] 3 3 “I am your own forever” 3 3
Section 2: Love as weaponised by Iago as a catalyst for jealousy and violence. Othello is an esteemed
soldier whose reputation is of utmost importance. Love is not a typical quality of a solider and it is
his “loving, noble nature” that allows him to be manipulated.
“An old black ram is tupping your white ewe” 1 1
“O beware, my lord, of jealousy: it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meet it feeds on”
33
“Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as holy writ” 3 3
“But I do love thee; and when I love thee not, chaos is come again.” Plosive alliteration
demonstrates passion. 3 3 Allusion to the Elizabethan belief that a state of chaos existed before
creation. “I’ll tear her all to pieces” 3 3
Section 3: Forbidden, but genuine romantic love between Desdemona and Othello. Brabantio’s
failure to comprehend their love - assuming it to be “spells and medicines” and “witchcraft” – is a
reflection of contemporary attitudes towards race and marriage as business relationships.
“She loved me for the dangers I have passed and I loved her that she did pity them” 1 3 “She wished
that heaven had made her such a man” 1 3
Mutual respect and deep sincerity conveyed. Othello speaks eloquently of how he came to love
Desdemona. There is perhaps a sense that the love they share is superficial, having been founded in
brief clandestine meetings before their eloping.
“Look to her, Moor, if thou has eyes to see she has betrayed her father and may betrayed thee” 1 3
In the Jacobean epoch a man had absolute authority over his family, so a contemporary audience
would have been shocked by Othello’s ‘stealing’ of Desdemona.
Conclusion:
Shakespeare treats love as a wholly negative experience that quicky sours. Idealised expectations of
love and being blindly besotted allow Othello to be easily manipulated by the cynical antagonist
Iago.
