Among Shakespeare S Tragedies, Othello Has the Following Qualities

Shakespeare M. D’Antonio Othello (1604) Study Guide

Among Shakespeare’s tragedies, Othello has the following qualities:

1. It possesses a simpler plot, with no sub-plot distractions. 2. The number of characters in the play is small. 3. Its action moves swiftly and tension mounts steadily. 4. It is Shakespeare’s nearest approach to “domestic” tragedy.

Questions to consider as you read: 1. The nature of Othello, his strengths and weaknesses. How does he compare to other tragic heroes? 2. The character of Iago. Is he a convincing human being? Is he pure malignancy? What motivates him? 3. Is the character of Desdemona convincing in her goodness? 4. Where does Othello fall between the poles of goodness and evil as represented by Desdemona and Iago? 5. The contrast between love and lust. 6. The three women and a hierarchy of pure love, pragmatic love, and mercenary love. 7. The contrast between what is and what seems to be. 8. The themes of civilization, barbarism, of order and chaos, and their dramatization in the realms of geography, society, and psychology.

Shakespeare’s plays differ from Greek tragedies in that a force for evil is always present in the play, actively pursuing the downfall of the protagonists. Think about the witches in Macbeth and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. This change is the result of Christianity, a reflection of a different world view.

Act I: Exposition (characters are introduced, motivation, actions set in motion)

Scene One Iago is introduced. He speaks with Roderigo about “this,” an event that will become clear as the scene progresses. Why does Iago hate Othello? How does Iago describe Cassio? What is the difference between these two men? How does Iago describe himself? Notice that Iago tries to make trouble for Othello, but stays in the background. What does he say will protect Othello from real wrath despite what he has done? What does this tell us about Othello? Scene Two What do you think is Iago’s purpose as he tells Othello of his recent encounter with Barbantio? What is Othello’s response to Iago? Barbantio? What do these responses tell us about him? Note that two groups seek Othello. What is the business of Cassio’s group? Scene Three The Venetian Senate meets. Pay close attention to the story of Othello and Desdemona’s courtship. Note some of its elements. How do Othello and Desdemona comport themselves before the Senate? Note Othello’s speech and his great faith in people. Finally Iago presents another motivation for his enmity to Othello. This may tell you more about Iago than Othello. Read Iago’s soliloquy carefully and note its points. Act II: Rising action (complication and additional plots set in motion)

Scene One Cyprus. The events in the political realm will eventually be seen as a mirror to other events. What is the tone of the scene with Iago, Emilia, and Desdemona? Why is this scene a part of the play? Summarize Iago’s use of Roderigo. Note Iago’s language. What does Iago say about Othello and Desdemona in his second soliloquy? What does he say about his motivation for revenge? What is Iago’s general purpose? Scene Three Note the contrast in language, tone, and attitude between Iago and Cassio. How does Iago’s plan for vengeance on Cassio work? Summarize Iago’s plan as revealed in his soliloquy. How is it dependent on the characters of the people involved?

Act III: Climax (action continues to complicate until the turning point occurs)

Scene One The plan begins to work. Cassio asks Emilia, Iago’s wife, to gain him access to Desdemona so that she may plead for her to intercede with Othello. Scene Two Othello, the administrator, a reminder to the audience of his positive attributes. Scene Three Watch Iago destroy Othello’s peace of mind and plant suspicion. Why can he do this so quickly? What is Desdemona’s tone in her speeches? What are the tone and functions of the exchange of Othello and Desdemona? What is meant by “…And when I love thee not, / Chaos is come again”? Analyze Iago’s techniques as he works on Othello. Trace Othello’s growing unease. Note the incident with the handkerchief. Why does Othello ask for proof? What do you think of Othello now? Is his change credible? Scene Four Trace the changing tone of Desdemona’s and Othello’s speech as this scene progresses. Consider the character of Desdemona as revealed in her conversation with Emilia. How is the handkerchief used? By Othello? By Cassio? What is the significance of the fact that Bianca is a prostitute?

Act IV: Descending action (beginning of resolution)

Scene One Iago continues his work on Othello. To what point has Othello come? Explain how Iago uses Bianca and Cassio. Lodovico returns from Venice. What does Othello’s behavior show in this scene? Scene Two What is the function of the conversation between Emilia and Othello? Study Othello’s speech – it is an important statement about him. Note the ironies in the speeches of Emilia to Iago. Roderigo is again gulled by Iago. What is the substance of this scene? Scene Three In their conversation, Emila becomes a foil to Desdemona. What are the contrasting attitudes towards infidelity? Characterize Emilia.

Act V: Denouement (all is resolved)

Scene One Summarize Iago’s soliloquy. Note the time and place of this scene. Both are appropriate to Iago’s character. What are the chief events of this scene? Think about the three women in the play. Note how each acts a foil to another and how each is slandered by Iago. Scene Two Catastrophe. Study Othello’s speech. What is the state of Othello’s mind here? Why must he kill Desdemona? Trace carefully the events of the scene. The tragic irony becomes unbearable. What do you think of Emilia? Note the effective use of repetition of the words, “My husband?” What is Desdemona’s final heroism? Do you think that Othello gains self-knowledge? Is there any transcendence in this play? In what way is order restored as the tragedy comes to an end? Note the parallels with the first act. Review the language of order and disorder throughout the play.

Some final questions:

 Think about the principle of catharsis. Do you think that it applies to this play?  Think about Othello as a tragic hero. What are his positive qualities and what are his flaws? Is he admirable or pitiable?  There is a time problem in Othello which has bothered many critics of the play. Can you identify the problem? DO you think it would be a significant issue to the viewer of the play?

Some recurring themes in Othello:

Look for variations of these motifs throughout the play and think about what they mean and how they help develop the play’s major themes, such as the corruption of goodness, appearance and reality, the destructiveness of jealousy, order and chaos.

 Honesty: Who is honest? Who thinks who is honest? “I am not that I am.”  Infernal imagery: Hell, damnation, serpents, perdition. “Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.”  Imagery of the cosmos: Heaven, stars, worlds. “Had she been true, / If heaven would make me such another world / Of one entire and perfect chrysolite, / I’d not have sold her for it.”  Enchantment: witchcraft. “If will a round unvarnished tale deliver / Of my whole course of love – what drugs, what charms / What conjuration, and what mighty magic / For such proceeding I am charged withal, / I won his daughter-”  Storms and calm: “The great contention of the sea and skies / Parted our fellowship.” “If after every tempest come such calm, / May the winds blow till they have wakened death.”