Othello
William Shakespeare
“I am not what I am”
, ★ Qualities
★ Quotes
★ References to characters
★ References to themes
★ References to symbols
Characters:
Othello:
Tragic hero
Passive
Christian Moor
General in the Venetian army
Plainspoken
Reactionary
At the start, Othello still has a good reputation.
His actions are influenced by Iago.
His main weakness is his love for Desdemona.
So please your grace, my ancient: A man he is of honesty and trust (Iago)
I think my wife (Desdemona) be honest, and think she is not, I think that thou art just,
and thou art not (Iago)
Yet she must die, else she’ll (Desdemona) betray more men. Put out the light, and
then put out the light
Honest
Outside
Other weaknesses include:
● jealousy
● lack of control
, ● insecurities regarding age and race
Iago exploits Othello's weaknesses
Lack of emotional balance - barbaric and irrational behaviour
Self-righteous - believes Desdemona's murder is justified
when I love thee not, chaos is come again
A horned man's a monster and beast (Honour and Manhood)
Downfall is orchestrated through the manipulation of his insecurities
Iago:
Disloyal standard-bearer
I am not what I am - Dramatic Irony
His true motivation remains a mystery - all possibilities are inadequate compared to
his actions
Possible motivations include:
● rumour that Othello slept with Emilia
● Othello promoted Cassio instead of him
● both affect his honour
good name in man and woman … is the immediate jewel of their souls (Honour and
Manhood)
Observer - makes it possible for him to read people
● uses this to manipulate others
Plants seeds of doubt and jealousy in Othello's mind, ultimately leading him to
murder Desdemona in a fit of irrational jealousy
Directly addresses the audience through his many soliloquies
Racist - calls Othello a “black ram”
, Demand me nothing. What you know you know. From this time forth I never will
speak a word.
● never tells Othello anything outright
○ lets his mind run wild, making his own assumptions
He has a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly (Jealousy)
I follow him to serve my turn upon him (Betrayel)
The moor is of a free and open nature / That thinks men honest that but seem so
to be so / And will as tenderly be lead by th’ nose / As asses are
into a jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure
His manipulation leads to the unjust deaths of Desdemona, Emilia, and ultimately,
himself.
Desdemona:
Independent and confident in the beginning
● contradics the end - she passively accept the fault for her own death
Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve
Faithful
Loyal
● to Othello
● to friends - Cassio
Unwavering kindness
Model wife
Charmed by Othello's tales of exotic lands and military exploits
Daughter of Brabantio
Naive
William Shakespeare
“I am not what I am”
, ★ Qualities
★ Quotes
★ References to characters
★ References to themes
★ References to symbols
Characters:
Othello:
Tragic hero
Passive
Christian Moor
General in the Venetian army
Plainspoken
Reactionary
At the start, Othello still has a good reputation.
His actions are influenced by Iago.
His main weakness is his love for Desdemona.
So please your grace, my ancient: A man he is of honesty and trust (Iago)
I think my wife (Desdemona) be honest, and think she is not, I think that thou art just,
and thou art not (Iago)
Yet she must die, else she’ll (Desdemona) betray more men. Put out the light, and
then put out the light
Honest
Outside
Other weaknesses include:
● jealousy
● lack of control
, ● insecurities regarding age and race
Iago exploits Othello's weaknesses
Lack of emotional balance - barbaric and irrational behaviour
Self-righteous - believes Desdemona's murder is justified
when I love thee not, chaos is come again
A horned man's a monster and beast (Honour and Manhood)
Downfall is orchestrated through the manipulation of his insecurities
Iago:
Disloyal standard-bearer
I am not what I am - Dramatic Irony
His true motivation remains a mystery - all possibilities are inadequate compared to
his actions
Possible motivations include:
● rumour that Othello slept with Emilia
● Othello promoted Cassio instead of him
● both affect his honour
good name in man and woman … is the immediate jewel of their souls (Honour and
Manhood)
Observer - makes it possible for him to read people
● uses this to manipulate others
Plants seeds of doubt and jealousy in Othello's mind, ultimately leading him to
murder Desdemona in a fit of irrational jealousy
Directly addresses the audience through his many soliloquies
Racist - calls Othello a “black ram”
, Demand me nothing. What you know you know. From this time forth I never will
speak a word.
● never tells Othello anything outright
○ lets his mind run wild, making his own assumptions
He has a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly (Jealousy)
I follow him to serve my turn upon him (Betrayel)
The moor is of a free and open nature / That thinks men honest that but seem so
to be so / And will as tenderly be lead by th’ nose / As asses are
into a jealousy so strong that judgement cannot cure
His manipulation leads to the unjust deaths of Desdemona, Emilia, and ultimately,
himself.
Desdemona:
Independent and confident in the beginning
● contradics the end - she passively accept the fault for her own death
Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve
Faithful
Loyal
● to Othello
● to friends - Cassio
Unwavering kindness
Model wife
Charmed by Othello's tales of exotic lands and military exploits
Daughter of Brabantio
Naive
