1
Othello Critical Interpretations Bank
Critical Opposing Own analysis of Critique Evidence In Text
Interpretation critical (full analysis in quote
Interpretation bank)
Hugh Quarshire - Caryl Phillips - Link to Cinthio’s play where “O, the more angel
Othello shouldn’t be “The pressure Disdemona says “You Moors she, and you the
played by a black placed upon are so hot by nature that any blacker devil” - link
actor, risks him rendered little thing moves you to for Hugh Quarshire
enforcing his life a anger and revenge.” - “Black and begrimed
stereotypes. tragedy” husband kills her, looks like as mine own face” -
this inspired Shakespeare link for Caryl Phillips
BUT Shakespeare is just
highlighting the effect of
internalised racism.
Parsifal Wolfram - Religious iconography (in “An old black ram is
“Black is the colour crusades), pictured Muslims tupping your white
of hell, white is the as black to outlie their moral ewe.” - race linked to
colour of heaven.” impurity. This colour imagery morality, links to
is also thought to be Parsifal Wolfram
presented in the Bible in BUT Shakespeare is
Genesis 9 and the parable of just presenting the
Ham, Hebrew meaning of emphasis on race at
‘Ham’ was ‘dark/black,’ the time and
interpreted as a curse on all subverting these
black people because of views by putting
Canaan’s sinful nature, used Othello and
to justify continual Desdemona together
subjugation of black people.
BUT Canaan, not Ham, was
cursed by Noah. This means
that the “biblical” doctrine
used to justify the
marginalisation of
dark-skinned peoples is
completely fabricated and
has no exegetical warrant.
Helen Gardner - E.A.J. Iago reduces human “O, beware, my lord,
“Iago is monstrous Honigmann - experience to manipulation. of jealousy!/It is the
because, faced with Iago is not Rather than engaging with green-eyed monster
the manifold simply a cold, the depth of human which doth mock/The
richness of inhuman villain relationships - love, trust, meat it feeds on.” -
experience, his only but a complex and loyalty - Iago links to Iago also
reaction is character with approaches them solely as reacting with
calculation and the elements of opportunities for control. His jealousy.
, 2
desire to humor, charm, view of love is purely cynical. “It is merely a lust of
manipulate.” and even tragic Iago refuses to engage with the blood and a
self-deception. the "manifold richness of permission of the
experience" in any way will.” - Iago doesn’t
except through manipulation. engage with human
BUT not Iago’s only reaction relationships
to the diverse, deep nature
of human experience:
Jealousy? Iago is also a
product of his own technique
of manipulation. Is Iago the
true villain if jealousy is
pre-existing? - links to E.A.J.
Honigmann
Micheal Donkor - A lot of misunderstanding “I am not what I am”
“Othello is a tragedy especially with Iago’s and “Whip me such
that proceeds from riddle-like, carefully honest knaves!”
misunderstandings constructed quotes but very
and little miscommunication -
miscommunication.” Iago’s ‘miscommunication’
was purposeful. Also comes
from internalised biases
BUT could be
miscommunication when
Desdemona asks Othello to
reconsider getting rid of
Cassio.
Kiernan Ryan - Othello’s insecurities of “A black ram tupping
“Iago’s devious manhood and race are your white ewe.”
stratagem works so simply enhanced by Iago. “O, the more angel
well because it Has been conditioned by she, and you the
reflects his victims’ society to wonder how an blacker devil.” -
own beliefs, aristocrat, white woman like Opposites,
confirms their Desdemona would love a juxtaposition, are not
suspicions and black man like him. meant to be in the
fulfills their BUT could argue Othello same sentence.
expectations.” and Desdemona’s love “Against all rules of
FR Leavis would showed strength at the nature.”
agree - “Othello beginning of the play, so “If it were now to die,
possesses a weak wouldn’t be a pre-existing ‘Twere now to be
character” with belief. Also is it ‘devious’ if most happy, for I fear
a“propensity to jealousy is pre-existent? my soul hath her
jealousy.” content so absolute.”
- Othello feels that his
marriage is at the
pinnacle of his life.
“My parts, my title,
my perfect soul.”
Othello Critical Interpretations Bank
Critical Opposing Own analysis of Critique Evidence In Text
Interpretation critical (full analysis in quote
Interpretation bank)
Hugh Quarshire - Caryl Phillips - Link to Cinthio’s play where “O, the more angel
Othello shouldn’t be “The pressure Disdemona says “You Moors she, and you the
played by a black placed upon are so hot by nature that any blacker devil” - link
actor, risks him rendered little thing moves you to for Hugh Quarshire
enforcing his life a anger and revenge.” - “Black and begrimed
stereotypes. tragedy” husband kills her, looks like as mine own face” -
this inspired Shakespeare link for Caryl Phillips
BUT Shakespeare is just
highlighting the effect of
internalised racism.
Parsifal Wolfram - Religious iconography (in “An old black ram is
“Black is the colour crusades), pictured Muslims tupping your white
of hell, white is the as black to outlie their moral ewe.” - race linked to
colour of heaven.” impurity. This colour imagery morality, links to
is also thought to be Parsifal Wolfram
presented in the Bible in BUT Shakespeare is
Genesis 9 and the parable of just presenting the
Ham, Hebrew meaning of emphasis on race at
‘Ham’ was ‘dark/black,’ the time and
interpreted as a curse on all subverting these
black people because of views by putting
Canaan’s sinful nature, used Othello and
to justify continual Desdemona together
subjugation of black people.
BUT Canaan, not Ham, was
cursed by Noah. This means
that the “biblical” doctrine
used to justify the
marginalisation of
dark-skinned peoples is
completely fabricated and
has no exegetical warrant.
Helen Gardner - E.A.J. Iago reduces human “O, beware, my lord,
“Iago is monstrous Honigmann - experience to manipulation. of jealousy!/It is the
because, faced with Iago is not Rather than engaging with green-eyed monster
the manifold simply a cold, the depth of human which doth mock/The
richness of inhuman villain relationships - love, trust, meat it feeds on.” -
experience, his only but a complex and loyalty - Iago links to Iago also
reaction is character with approaches them solely as reacting with
calculation and the elements of opportunities for control. His jealousy.
, 2
desire to humor, charm, view of love is purely cynical. “It is merely a lust of
manipulate.” and even tragic Iago refuses to engage with the blood and a
self-deception. the "manifold richness of permission of the
experience" in any way will.” - Iago doesn’t
except through manipulation. engage with human
BUT not Iago’s only reaction relationships
to the diverse, deep nature
of human experience:
Jealousy? Iago is also a
product of his own technique
of manipulation. Is Iago the
true villain if jealousy is
pre-existing? - links to E.A.J.
Honigmann
Micheal Donkor - A lot of misunderstanding “I am not what I am”
“Othello is a tragedy especially with Iago’s and “Whip me such
that proceeds from riddle-like, carefully honest knaves!”
misunderstandings constructed quotes but very
and little miscommunication -
miscommunication.” Iago’s ‘miscommunication’
was purposeful. Also comes
from internalised biases
BUT could be
miscommunication when
Desdemona asks Othello to
reconsider getting rid of
Cassio.
Kiernan Ryan - Othello’s insecurities of “A black ram tupping
“Iago’s devious manhood and race are your white ewe.”
stratagem works so simply enhanced by Iago. “O, the more angel
well because it Has been conditioned by she, and you the
reflects his victims’ society to wonder how an blacker devil.” -
own beliefs, aristocrat, white woman like Opposites,
confirms their Desdemona would love a juxtaposition, are not
suspicions and black man like him. meant to be in the
fulfills their BUT could argue Othello same sentence.
expectations.” and Desdemona’s love “Against all rules of
FR Leavis would showed strength at the nature.”
agree - “Othello beginning of the play, so “If it were now to die,
possesses a weak wouldn’t be a pre-existing ‘Twere now to be
character” with belief. Also is it ‘devious’ if most happy, for I fear
a“propensity to jealousy is pre-existent? my soul hath her
jealousy.” content so absolute.”
- Othello feels that his
marriage is at the
pinnacle of his life.
“My parts, my title,
my perfect soul.”
